Giving Back is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Thursday, November 28, 2019
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to your community
GIVING BACK can be EASY Though it’s easy enough and expected for nonprofits and other charities to ask for financial support, they always appreciate other kinds of help: the gift of ‘you.’ This means that donating time or talent can often be as welcomed and appreciated as taking out your checkbook or your wallet. Doing so also comes with other bonuses. It can allow you to see ‘behind the scenes’ and get to know the nonprofit staff, other volunteers, and the population it serves. You may come away with a better sense of your community and better idea of needs in your area. You may even learn more about yourself and what you like and value. Or even pick up some new skills if a charity encourages volunteers to try to different tasks.
You’ll learn about them, their goals This kind of altruism pretty much and history, and who they serve. always feels good – a charity can do more with less, such as not having to You’ll also learn hire extra people. how easy it can be Volunteer help also to help! It usually provides them with just takes a phone You may even additional resources call or an email and exposure in the learn more about to get connected community. with someone yourself and what who can tell And, extra you where and assistance can help you like and value. when help can fulfill a mission and Or even pick up be appreciated. outreach efforts to Maybe it’s helping a greater degree. some new skills if a in an office. Volunteers like this, Maybe it’s helping and those who are charity encourages at a community served appreciate volunteers to try it as well – it’s the event. ultimate win-win! different tasks. Some you may have heard of that If you’ve been have had a strong looking for avenues presence in the Inland Northwest for to volunteer, consider this section a great starting place. We present more decades. Others may be new to you, but than 20 Inland Northwest charities and may appeal to your particular nonprofits.
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demographic groups, experience or passions. The good news is that this is only a sampling of the hundreds of charities that can be found in the region. There are plenty of organizations that serve everyone from children to seniors. Some focus on certain economic needs or financial situations, others help with other situations, from literacy to basic needs. We hope this section will start by increasing your awareness of all the needs in our community, and then encourage you to reach out as much as you are able to. Even if you have a limited schedule to volunteer, it’s likely that these organizations will be able to find opportunities for you to get involved. After all, everyone wins!