Remember the Tug: #Volunteerism

If you haven't heard me say this before, I'll say it again. I am a firm believer in being active within our communities and volunteering. Each of us has a gift. Whether you realize yours or not, you have one. I think we can put our gifts to good use. I think we can not think about ourselves just for a few moments and do something to make our environments better. I believe in making a positive impact. It's just the right thing to do. How you choose to do it is totally up to you. But do something.

This week was about my work with nonprofits. I serve on the REFresh St. Louis committee. They are a nonprofit, St. Louis clothing resale shop in Brentwood (across from Whole Foods) that supports programs for the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. I actually bumped into a gal in the restroom and we started talking. I met with her because I offered some pro-bono marketing for the shop. I like working with children services nonprofits, so it just seemed like a good fit for me.  So she asked me if I was willing to be on this committee to offer online marketing expertise. It has been such a joy working with them. And with my upcoming move to Atlanta hopefully by the end of August, this week's committee meeting was my last.  But as we were talking about my departure, we realized that I could serve them virtually. I was over joyed that I can still help. They help kids who need homes--good, loving homes. They provide support for foster parents and teach kids life lessons so they're successful. How can I not help? That's just not even an option.

This week is also the #GarbageGala. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you haven't been paying attention. ;). I've been writing about it pretty much nonstop. The St. Louis Salvation Army needs help to continue to serve the homeless community in St. Louis. Proceeds from this event will go to programs that not only provide shelter and food, but also training and education to help homeless not be homeless anymore. The Garbage Bag Gala is a fashion show, concert (thanks to Mr. Rob Cruse with Cruse Entertainment), dinner and drinks. It's going to be one amazing night. I'm hoping it's something St. Louis talks about all year. I try to think about how I would react if all of a sudden, I lost my job, house, and maybe even family. I can't fathom that. Those people on the streets that we all walk by...they were like us once. You would want someone to help you if God forbid you were in their situation. It just makes sense to take a night off from whatever it is you're doing and have fun and give back.

See, I think we all need to feel a tug...a tug at our hearts to do the right thing and volunteer. I wrote about the tug on here before. It's about being called to serve our communities. I am asking you to think about what you're good at and find a nonprofit and do it. I happen to be really good at my profession. Marketing, specifically SEO and Social Media is something I don't even consider "work" because I love it so much. So why not offer my services to nonprofits?  I think it's worked well so far. We'll see how the Garbage Bag Gala goes tomorrow night. But you get the idea though, right? Volunteer. Feel a tug at your heart and get involved in your community. Do the right thing and make a positive impact. I know you are more than capable of it, and you'll do a great job.