Two Great Ways to Help on Giving Tuesday: Time and Money!

Two Great Ways to Help on Giving Tuesday: Time and Money!
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Andrew Condon, an AmeriCorps member at Habitat For Humanity Silicon Valley, paints at an "A Brush with Kindness" site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Andrew Condon, an AmeriCorps member at Habitat For Humanity Silicon Valley, paints at an "A Brush with Kindness" site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Habitat for Humanity/Steffan Hacker

Every day, I get to witness the generosity of Americans through our AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs, and the volunteers who contribute their time and energy to support the causes that are important to them. That spirit of service is something they commit to all year long.

Amid the hubbub that surrounds Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals, it is sometimes easy to get lost in completing shopping lists or attending celebrations during this event-filled season. But we can extend the warm feelings of gratitude exemplified by the season when we use our time and gifts to benefit the communities in which we live and the nation that we love.

Now in its fifth year, Giving Tuesday reminds us that we can pause this season and support the charities and organizations that contribute so much to make our nation a better place for all.

As the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, I am privileged to lead more than 325,000 Americans who join our national service programs to serve to improve education, respond to natural disasters, open the doors of economic opportunity and support our veterans and military families. And as they serve, they recruit and manage more than 2 million other volunteers to support their efforts

We see this every year as we conduct our Volunteering and Civic Life in America survey. This study of volunteering and service highlights the many ways Americans make room in their schedules every day to strengthen their communities.

Last year, 62.6 million Americans gave over 7.8 billion hours of service to groups and organizations to help others. Their generosity continued as nearly 80 percent opened their wallets to donate to charities they support.

While they focused on giving, it is important to note that their good deeds often opened doors for good things to happen in their lives as well.

Our research has found that volunteers have 27 percent higher odds of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers. And there is a growing body of research that shows that volunteers live longer, have healthier lives, and demonstrate lower rates of depression as they age.

That’s very good news for America’s volunteers – not to mention a great reason to join their ranks.

Americans come together to serve in their community and civic organizations because we believe good things happen when we focus on common goals. Our shared values mean that we not only step up when times are difficult, but also follow through to support and help our friends and neighbors every day.

Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to commit (or recommit) to serve and support your favorite charity or organization during the upcoming year. Imagine the changes we would see in this country if we let the spirit of service guide us this holiday season. Be sure to stand with the groups you support with a contribution today.

Americans know there is no challenge too great to conquer when we work together to find a solution. I believe our lives are enriched when we share our blessings to support good deeds in our community.

Let’s use Giving Tuesday to honor the values that unite us, and encourage everyone to join in to extend the spirit of service and giving throughout the year.

Wendy Spencer is the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and other programs.

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