< Previous10 | The Daily News | Giving Back | December 2021 C ommitments to work and family can make it hard to find time to give back, but even the most time-pressed indi- viduals can take steps to make the world a better place. Become a more eco-conscious shopper When shopping for clothing, groceries and other items, consumers can give back to the community by looking for locally produced products. Such products support local business- es, and a suc- cessful local economy serves as a great founda- tion for commu- nity. In addition, purchas- ing locally produced goods such as groceries greatly reduces your car- bon footprint, which benefits both your local community and the plan- et as a whole. Look for fair trade products The Fair Trade Feder- ation is a trade associa- tion that looks to build equitable and sustain- able trading partnerships and create opportunities to alleviate poverty. Fair trade aims to provide safe working conditions and fair pay for all workers. While coffee and choco- late might be the goods most often associated with fair trade, the FTF notes that fair trade en- compasses a wide variety of agricultural and hand- crafted goods, including clothing, rice, soap, toys and wine. Products that are sold with the Fair Trade Fed- eration logo have un- dergone a rigorous screen- ing pro- cess to ensure they are com- mitted to the prin- ciples of fair trade. More information about fair trade is available at www. fairtradefederation.org. Give back when you buy something Consumers can give back simply by making purchases. For exam- ple, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable orga- nization of the buyer’s choice. Many of the products available on Amazon.com, which op- erates AmazonSmile, are eligible for such dona- tions. Users simply type smile.amazon.com into their web browser and choose a charity they wish to support. Bstow. com is another charitable endeavor that enables users to automatically donate the spare change from everyday purchases. Become a financial donor If you don’t have the time to volunteer, then offer your financial support. Many charita- ble organizations would cease to exist without donations from private citizens. Such donations help charities fund their programs and cover their operational costs. Time constraints make it difficult for many people to volunteer. But there are many ways to support worthy causes even if you don’t have the time to volunteer. — Metro Creative Connection From global to local: How to give back when time is not on your side When donating to charity, many donors choose to contribute to child sponsorship organizations that assist needy children at home or abroad. Such organizations provide invaluable services, though donors may be confused about just how their donations are allocated. The charity watchdog organization Give.org, which is part of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, notes that donations to child sponsorship organizations are often pooled and used to support projects that are intended to benefit the community where the child lives. That might not be the impression formed by donors, who may think their donations are being conveyed exclusively to a specific child. The practice of allocating donations to cash grants given to a specific child’s family does occur, though Give.org notes that it is far less common than pooling donations. Donors considering contributing to child sponsorship programs should not allow the way their donations may be allocated deter them, as oftentimes pooled donations are used to build schools and/or provide medical care, clean water and even food to underprivileged children. — Metro Creative Connection When shopping for clothing, groceries and other items, consumers can give back to the community by looking for locally produced products. Where does my money go when I sponsor a child? Links to remember The Fair Trade Federation: www.fairtradefederation.org | AmazonSmile Foundation: smile.amazon.comDecember 2021 | Giving Back | The Daily News | 11 Higher Up Texas first began in August 2019 at Dickinson High School. The Higher Up Texas students are taught skills from the inside out to create a ripple effect of change for themselves, their families, friends, and community. The name, Higher Up Texas, is derived from the core values that embody the culture of this organization. The six core values are Honesty, Integrity, Grit, Hopefulness, Eagerness, and Readiness. In addition to these values, the students are taught how to think critically in their decision- making and learn important life skills such as managing personal and future finances, scholarship assistance, networking, and job opportunities. Together, we are building a network that will forever impact the community. Joining AMOCO has been absolutely amazing! Everyone is very welcoming. I feel like part of the family! The environment is lively, and there are so many opportunities to grow.” Jouselin Hernandez , Teller Higher Up Texas Member AMOCO Federal Credit Union and Higher Up Texas have teamed up together to offer students in the program an opportunity to apply for employment at AMOCO.12 | The Daily News | Giving Back | December 2021 GIVE THE GIFT OF 281-534-2043 245 FM 517 E Dickinson, TX 77539 @milewisctrDecember 2021 | Giving Back | The Daily News | 13 Creating positive experiences for children and families affected by cancer and blood disorders so kids, despite illness, can be kids. Email: info@rccamp.org | Subscribe online: www.cccrccamp.org | Facebook.com/RCCAMP (720) 722-2671 | PO BOX 17176, Galveston, TX 77552 HOPE • SUPPORT • LOVE • FUN RAINBOW CONNECTION CAMP The Rainbow Connection is a week-long summer camp for children with cancer and blood disorders, and their siblings. The organization subsidizes the cost of camp so that the financial burdens never prevent a family from taking part in this special experience. Memories are shared and lifelong friendships are created. At camp, fears are overcome, self-esteem and confidence are restored, memories are shared and lifelong friendships are created. JOIN THE BOARD Whether you work in the corporate or nonprofit sphere, joining a nonprofit board of directors can be very rewarding. Join a solid group of people who are committed to making a difference. Our Board is a group of professional individuals who dedicate time, expertise and passion to serve others. VOLUNTEERS WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE? Volunteers are important to our organization. Not only is our board 100 percent volunteer, all Rainbow Connection Camp staff are also volunteers. Volunteers can assist with the many activities we provide to the families we support. NEED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS? There are plenty of volunteer opportunities within our various committees. Visit our website for a full list and sign up. GET INVOLVED Childhood Cancer Connection Inc. relies on the generosity of volunteers, donors, other organizations and foundations, our families and our board members. Financial support helps to ensure that our organization can continue to assist families in need.14 | The Daily News | Giving Back | December 2021 Our activities are rooted in a mission that began in 1866, when the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word arrived in Galveston from France to heal the sick and infirm. Today, CHRISTUS Our Daily Bread continues that mission by ministering to Galveston’s homeless. Established in 1983, the program daily provides two hot meals, much-needed medical assistance, and access to psychological services, clothes and hygiene products. CHRISTUS Our Daily Bread is offering a new and hope-filled path for those whose lives were once filled with despair. The dedicated servants of CHRISTUS Our Daily Bread know that because of generous supporters like you, their mission is made possible. So they end each day the same way they began - with dedication and faith, grateful for their opportunity to serve those most in need. Thank you to our Galveston friends for your long-time support and volunteerism. To learn how you can be a part of our mission, call 713.652.3100 or visit christusfoundation.org/odb CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare is a 501(c)3 non-profit, relying on the generous support of individuals like you. It started with a call to care for the underserved, and over 150 years later the mission continues. December 2021 | Giving Back | The Daily News | 15 Volunteering as a family can make a difference in the community S pending time with families benefits chil- dren in myriad ways. Volunteering is a great way for families to spend time together. Children of various ages can reap the rewards of volunteering, and those rewards may be signif- icant even more when kids give back alongside their parents. Children’s ages and maturity levels always should be consid- ered when looking for a volunteering opportunity. The following are some family-friendly options parents can consider as they look to volunteer with their children. • Food drive: Partici- pating in a food drive is a great way for families to give back together. Kids of all ages can pitch in on a food drive. Parents can take children to the grocery store and let them pick items to donate. Kids also can accompany their parents to pick up donated items and drop them off at the local food bank. • Toy drive: Toy drives are popular come the holiday season, and children of all ages may enjoy picking items that they know will help to make the holiday season special for other young- sters. If toy drive organiz- ers don’t request specific items, ask kids which toys they would recom- mend or encourage kids to donate lightly used items they no longer use. Children are enthusiastic givers, and toy drives are a great opportunity to il- lustrate how good it feels to help those in need. • Park/beach clean- ups: Human beings are stewards of the environ- ment, so what better way to instill that lesson in children than to volun- teer to clean up local parks and beaches? Kids will look forward to a day in the great out- doors, and they’ll take pride in knowing they did their part along- side their parents to make their favorite green spaces and beaches cleaner for their communities. • Soup kitchens: In 2020, Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, cited a study that found 67 percent of food banks were in need of volunteers. Many volunteers, a significant percentage of which are seniors, stopped volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic out of fear of catching the virus. Though parents must consider various fac- tors before volunteering in the era of COVID-19, fully vaccinated families can work with local food banks to safely offer their time. Such efforts can teach children valuable lessons about the impor- tance of giving back, and many food banks have altered their operations to make it safe for volunteers to lend a helping hand. Volunteering as a family can strengthen the bonds between children and their parents. — Metro Creative Connection Researchers found that the children of volunteers were 27 percent more likely to volunteer than children whose parents did not volunteer. In addition, adolescents were 47 percent more likely to volunteer when their parents volunteered and talked about volunteering with their children. — Journal of Adolescence 2013; Metro Creative Connection16 | The Daily News | Giving Back | December 2021 7 way to become an amazing volunteer Above all, giving time to a cause you believe in is all about put- ting others before yourself. Figure out what you can give rather than what you can get. V olunteering is a fun and rewarding endeav- or. Millions of people across globe serve as volunteers, which is a testament to just how rewarding being a volunteer can be. Under- standing how to be a good volunteer is the first step toward making the experience enjoyable and effective. — Metro Creative Connection Research volun- teer organizations’ missions and goals before you get in- volved. Understand- ing their process can make you more effective right out of the gate. Further- more, directors will appreciate that you took the initiative to learn more about the organization be- fore you signed up. Enthusiasm and energy for the cause may motivate others to take action. Being high energy also may make you more fun to be around, which your fellow volunteers will appreciate. The more interested you are in an activity, the more likely you are to continue doing it. That goes for anything, including volunteer- ing. Be honest about what you want to get out of volunteering and seek opportunities that help you achieve those goals. As a volunteer, you should arrive when you say you will, stay the duration of time you promised and perform the tasks you agreed to perform. People will be relying on you, so it’s import- ant to honor your commitment. Volunteers often must take on many different roles, and a willingness to jump in on any task and help is a hallmark of great volun- teers. Thinking outside of the box is a strength in a volunteer. It means you can examine a situation from all sides and offer innovative solutions. 1. Educate yourself about the charity or organization. 2. Bring your enthusiasm and energy. 3. Be honest about your interests. 4. Be dependable. 5. Be prepared to be flexible. 6. Embrace your creativity. 7. Be selfless. December 2021 | Giving Back | The Daily News | 17 A S tarry N ight in P aris Honoring Georgia and Ami Barzilay and Jolyn and Russell Scheirman FAMILY SERVICE CENTER OF GALVESTON COUNTY’S CONNECTIONS OF THE HEART GALA February 5, 2022 For additional information visit www.fscgal.org or contact Cynthia Smith at 409.762.8636 ext.131018 | The Daily News | Giving Back | December 2021 Access Care of Coastal Texas Compassionate Community-Based Assistance Calling all friends of A.C.C.T. interested in supporting this important lunch program. You can choose to prepare a lunch or become a sponsor with a $100.00 donation. Our lunches are every Thursday and serve on average 30-40 clients. Your gift not only provides important nutrition, but also an opportunity for our clients to socially interact with others, attend support groups and participate in educational seminars. Contact give@accttexas.org with your interest in sponsoring a client lunch. 707 23 rd Street, Galveston, Texas 77550 • (409) 763-2437 • Fax (409) 763-5482 • Galveston.acct@gmail.com Access Care of Coastal Texas, Inc. (ACCT) was founded in 1985 for the purpose of providing compassionate community based education and services that empower people of all ages to live courageously with HIV/AIDS. Access Care of Coastal Texas Wishes you a holiday season full of peace, joy, and happiness! FRIENDS FEEDING FRIENDS PROGRAM Access Care of Coastal Texas (ACCT) is excited to announce Lesley Sommer joining the agency as Executive Director. Mr. Sommer is an executive that has focused his career in the non-profit sector. For the last 9 years, he has served as the association executive for the Galveston Association of Realtors®. Mr. Sommer is the 2021 Chairman of the Research, Education, and Community Health Coalition (REACH), a life member of the Texas Exes and Phi Kappa Phi National Graduate Honor Society, and a Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church, Galveston. He is also a proud alumnus of Leadership Galveston. ACCT announces new Executive Director Lesley Sommer (he/him/his)December 2021 | Giving Back | The Daily News | 19 Going out of town for the holidays? You can donate your newspapers to the Newspapers in Education program, which provides newspapers to schools throughout Galveston County to use as a teaching tool. Schedule your vacation request today 409-683-5201 Support local schools while you’re on vacation M ilitary service in the Unit- ed States was once more common than it is today. The draft for military service ended in 1973, a point in time when 2.2 million men and women made up the country’s active military personnel, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. By 2018, the number had dipped below 1.3 million. The vast majority of people will never serve in the military, but that does not mean they do not appreciate the sacrifices service members and their families make. Service members and their families make many sacrifices to protect the lives and freedoms of their fellow cit- izens. The following are three unique ways to give back to these selfless men and women, who often benefit greatly from even the simplest of gestures. Serve as a driver for veterans Unfortunately, many service mem- bers return from overseas missions with disabilities, some of which prevent them from driving. Adults who want to help service members can serve as drivers for veterans who can’t drive themselves. Such a gesture ensures they won’t miss any appoint- ments with doctors or physical thera- pists, helping them get on the road to recovery that much quicker. Donate your airline miles Some disabled veterans receive med- ical treatments far away from home at facilities that specialize in treating certain types of injuries, which can make it difficult for their families to be there for them during their recoveries. By donating airline miles to military families, ordinary adults can ensure injured service members can see their families during difficult times in their lives. Access to such support systems can be a big help as veterans work to recover from their injuries. Sponsor a service dog A significant percentage of veterans return home with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD has been linked to a host of conditions, includ- ing depression and anxiety. However, programs such as Companions for Heroes, an organization that places service dogs with veterans, has helped many veterans successfully cope with PTSD. By sponsoring a service dog through an organization such as Com- panions for Heroes, adults who want to help service members can provide an invaluable service to men and women fighting to regain their quality of life. — Metro Creative Connection Ways to give back to the military and veteransNext >