What you get when you give

Everywhere we look we are reminded that it is the season of giving. Many organizations ask for support and, as you are out shopping, you’ll see the red kettles and hear the ringing bells of the Salvation Army volunteers encouraging you to give during their Season of Giving. Recently in Minnesota we experienced Give to the Max Day, which raised record donations to be used by various non-profit organizations. That got us thinking more about the results of giving. So, we ask the question, “What are the benefits of giving?” Obviously, there are many benefits for recipients of the donations. They often get food, clothing, and shelter as well as services and they are very glad to get these things. We also wondered why people choose to give and volunteer and what benefits they receive.

The Mayo Clinic and other research sites gave some information on the benefits of volunteering.
One of the benefits is that feelings of depression are lowered. In addition, stress and blood pressure may also be lowered. Volunteers gain a real sense of purpose. They benefit from staying physically and mentally active and can learn new skills. We thought that volunteering to build homes with Habitat for Humanity would certainly meet many areas of learning and keeping active. People who volunteer are more socially active as they meet new people and make new friends who have similar interests and goals. Another study that was controlled for age, gender and physical condition, showed that people who volunteer actually tend to live longer.

Giving and volunteering also teaches people how to care for others and, in learning these skills, they often learn how to take better care of themselves. The Corporation for National and Community Service suggests many places to volunteer. They state that, “Perhaps the biggest benefit may be the satisfaction people feel that they are making a difference and how it transforms others’ lives and their own lives.”

The London School of Economics came up with what they called the “Happiness Effect” because they found that people who volunteered were happier. Here’s a quote by James Matthew Barrie, “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.” This sounds like another great benefit that results from giving so we wanted to learn more. We went out to ask some people why they volunteer and what benefits they receive from their giving.

We met Dr. Dave Clinefelter who told us about what volunteering he does and the benefits he receives. He said, “I volunteer for an organization called University of the People which was founded about eight years ago. The mission is to help people anywhere in the world to get a college education. All the classes are conducted online. We have students from over a hundred countries and it’s the only tuition-free university. Students only pay a hundred dollar testing fee if they want credit for that course. It gives me an opportunity to use my background and experience in higher education and in online universities and online programs. I got involved a few years ago and I feel like I am giving something back and paying it forward. It’s a great mission.”

Then we met Reneé Anderson who also answered our questions about volunteering. Reneé shared, “Currently, because I am working part-time, I’ve had to cut back on my volunteering. When I do volunteer it’s at my kids’ school in Chanhassen. I have opted to put my hours there because I feel it’s important for me to be exposed to what my kids are experiencing educationally and it gives me the opportunity to meet their friends and get to know their classmates and teachers better – and to give something back to the school. Teachers work so hard and are underpaid so I feel that any time that there’s an opportunity for parents to step in and volunteer time, it’s important to do that.”

In talking with Dave and Reneé we found they both feel volunteering is very satisfying and a way to give back.
Here’s a challenge: If you would like to volunteer, consider how you want to give your time, talents and/or treasures. What volunteer experience would bring satisfaction and be meaningful for you? If life circumstances preclude volunteering on a regular basis, what are some smaller ways you could give to others? Every way of giving makes a difference – and you may be surprised at what you get when you give. We invite you to share with us the ways you choose to give and the benefits you get.

Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are Success Coaches and owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2017 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.