TIME, TALENT OR TREASURE - THREE WAYS OF GIVING

Philanthropy is not a matter of the rich helping the non-rich; it's the community extending itself out to the community. – J. Herman Blake

ON TREASURE:

My husband and I came into some money over a decade ago, and made a decision to share most of it with our family and our community. One such gift that keeps on giving is the Martin Luther King School Dream Foundation in Seattle. The Foundation gives scholarships to deserving inner city graduating high school students who once attended MLK Elementary School. This year thirteen young people will be getting $1,000 scholarships for schools ranging from major four-year universities to beauty school. It also marks the year that, since 1999, we will have given out over one-hundred awards.

In applying, students need to have attended MLK for at least two years. Many of them were my students in first, second or third grades and I remember them all well. Most were filled with enthuasiasm for school - “the world was their apple.” That belief was reinforced daily by reciting our classroom creed about realizing one’s potential.

The next main criteria is not grades, not honors, not SAT scores, but having a dream that can be articulated in an essay of 300-500 words. All of us have some kind of dream for the future, but most of us never realize them. The dust of many student dreams lies on schoolroom and hallway floors, trampled by the low expectations of teachers, families and peers who may have forgotten the importance of their own dreams.

Since 1999 I have been tracking down little kids, now turned big kids, to see what they planned to do after high school. There were some real surprises. I found one girl in a half-way house, after spending many months in a juvenile facility. Remembering her potential as a nine-year old, I was shocked at where she was but determined to make a difference. Long story short, she applied for a scholarship, and went to technical school for a certificate in dental assisting.

Another success story involves an award winner from 2000 who will be returning as our inspirational speaker for this year’s banquet honoring 2010 award winners. He is now a best selling author of books for young people and a sought-after speaker.

But, you say, that is all very well and good. I have no money to start a foundation. All I can give is a few dollars to a local charity Wonderful! You are doing what you can. But, besides treasure, don’t forget you can give time and talent.

ON TIME:

I just learned about an organization called 826 SEATTLE. Their website says this: “826 SEATTLE is a nonprofit writing center that helps students ages 6 to 18, develop their creative and expository writing skills. We are dedicated to providing students with access to writing workshops, publishing projects, and one-on-one help with homework and English language learning, all free of charge.” There are numerous ways to volunteer there for people with limited to high skill levels. Check out the website.

As a teacher I loved it when parents, members of the community, high school students and other volunteers signed up to help in my room. I am talking about meaningful help – not copying or correcting student work. Not only would you enrich your own life by spending an hour or two a week in your local elementary school, you could be making a huge difference in helping to realize the dreams of your young charges.

Some schools have lunch buddy programs where you can have lunch with a student on a regular basis, adding to his or her day, and making a difference.

Mentoring a student over time takes a bigger commitment, but also offers a bigger pay back in personal satisfaction. There is one program that is very popular in Seattle called Friends of the Children. In this case paid mentors commit to work with children from kindergarten through high school. They usually work with them on school assignments, going shopping, making home visits, attending events, etc. and spend several hours a week with their young friends. Taking a page from their book you could commit to changing one child’s life by spending time listening, helping, or just being there for that child over an extended period of time.

ON TALENT:

Talent takes many forms. Recently at Sacajawea Elementary School two older retired men bearing guitars came into the room where I was subbing during the last hour of the day. Their appearance was not on the lesson plan, but judging by the childrens’ cheering, they were welcome guests. They set themselves up in a corner of the room, called the children to a rug area, and began entertaining them with silly songs and old favorites. The good will and joy their visit generated will long be remembered.

A trombonist I know from the Seattle Symphony, often participates in local career days. Many children have never seen a trombone up close, or heard its incredible range. The outcome of this talented man’s wonderful gift to young children must surely have a ripple effect in their lives. A famous future trombonist could be one result.

Dee Dee Rainbow, a Seattle artist and teacher, donated many hours to hundreds of children by giving them art experiences, particularly in clay. It helped that she lived her name. She dressed in wildly exciting rainbow colors. Glittering from head to toe in brilliant Technicolor, she even had rainbow colored eyelashes.

SO WHY VOLUNTEER? WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Why should so much space be given to the concept of volunteering, particularly with school children? Answer: There is a point at which young people cross the line from hope to hopelessness and become statistics – drop outs, pregnancy, incarceration, drug abuse. It saddens my heart to know that between the time we see them full of hope in the early grades to the growing despair that leads to becoming a statistic, some adult along the line, giving time, talent or treasure might have made a real difference.

Although many of us think we are too busy, too tired, or too unskilled to be a “life saver” EVERYONE OF HAS THAT ABILITY. I will go one step further. I believe everyone of us has that RESPONSIBILITY. If you are reading this and feel something is missing in your life, perhaps you can find an answer for "What is in it for you?" in order to fill the empty spot. A child somewhere is waiting. Use your time, talent or treasure to find that child, and to make a difference in his or her life. You will not regret it.

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BOOK NOOK

Parents can teach the concept of giving in many ways. One of the easiest might be the giving away of toys in good shape, but no longer used, to those less fortunate. A really cleverly written book by David Shannon called Too Many Toys brings home the point of the almost obscene amount of “things” many of today's children have. Spencer, the hero of the story, simply has too many toys. Mother finally has had enough and convinces Spencer that many of the toys have to go. After haggling, wrestling and arguing over every toy in the house, they finally came to an agreement on what should be given away and they are placed in a large box. The ending is a surprise. Mother returns to get the box, only to find the toys dumped out, with Spencer using the box as an airplane. This is the “best toy ever” he exclaims. And isn’t that the truth?! My only criticism of the story is that the author could have made the point that the toys were going to charity or those less fortunate, but otherwise, it’s an absolutely great story!