Giving back in many ways is just about noticing others. A couple months ago I noticed that there were a lot of things happening around me that I couldn't always do much about during my short walk to and from meetings downtown, or in my small amount of spare time. That's when I decided to dedicate a day to helping others.
On Friday, November 16, I took a day off of work and made everything I did that day about others.
What sounds like an exhausting day, was truly one of the most exhilarating days I've ever had. So here's a glimpse into my day giving back to people who needed it, some who didn't, and some who didn't even know I did anything at all.
- Donated platelets and plasma at Bonfils Blood Center.
- Bought the orders for the two cars behind me in the Starbucks drive-thru.
- Delivered a dozen donuts to Animal Healthcare Specialists (they aren't a well-off office, but they will never refuse service to an animal because a client can't pay).
- Bought mashed potatoes, vegetables and stuffing and delivered it to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless' Stout Street Clinic, so families could have their first Thanksgiving.
- Delivered a dozen donuts to the Bo Matthews Center for Excellence, which provides job training and housing to veterans.
- Delivered donuts and new socks to Sox Place, an organization to help the homeless youth of Denver.
- Took household items to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless West End Flats to help families coming out of homelessness furnish their new homes.
- Picked up my Colorado Youth at Risk mentee for her lunch break and we went to SAME Cafe for lunch, a place that allows everyone to eat and only accepts donations for food - if people cannot pay, they can eat and then just work an hour in the restaurant.
- Took my mentee to a cupcake shop and let her pick out a cupcake for everyone in her family.
- Took left over Halloween candy, $20 in single bills, and four $10 McDonald's gift cards downtown, and gave the items out to Denver Voice newspaper vendors making their living by selling the papers.
- Fed two expired parking meters so people didn't get tickets.
- Donated to the Salvation Army bell ringer for the Holiday campaign.
- Since I ended up with multiple Denver Voice papers, I gave each one to someone so they could learn about the program.
- Drove to Fort Collins and volunteered at the Matthews House Thanksgiving Dinner by playing games in the gym with the kids who attended.
My day of giving back wasn't an expensive day, but it certainly turned out to be one of the richest days I have ever had.
