Thrive Global
Some of life’s most meaningful gifts don’t come with a price tag. As so many of us are moved to give back to those in need this holiday season — but also stretched thin financially — we asked the Thrive Global contributor community to tell us their most fulfilling experiences helping others that didn’t include donating money.
Their creative gifts — of time, of talent of friendship — warmed our hearts and inspired us with plenty of ideas for what we could offer this year as well.
Use your time to mentor school students “I volunteer my time by going into schools with various organisations and sharing my career journey to help students understand their options. I also help them with their business studies and support teachers by taking a lesson and discussing a range of subjects with students. I love spending time with and helping them. As someone who’s worked through her career, I enjoy sharing stories, lessons, mistakes and more so they can learn from me, ask questions, and more. I spend a couple of hours doing this every week and it really lights up my day.”
Share your talents with a nonprofit “One meaningful way to give back is to share your talents with an international or local nonprofit organization. I recently joined the board of Arts for the Aging (AFTA), a nonprofit in the Washington, D.C. area that brings arts programs to older adults with dementia and other aging impairments.”
Lend parents a hand with their kids “I believe that everyone has talents and gifts that can help others. I like to give back by playing drums at the church we attend and in the community. I also like to aid parents who need help with their children during difficult times. Sometimes I’m surprised what simply showing up and listening can do.”
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