The Rewards of Giving

Three of the organizers of Vacation for Vision (from left), Fred Stam, Avril Rinn and Terry Hoddinott, at the school for blind students they visited in Cuba

Last February, while a snowstorm raged back home in south- western Ontario, I was sweating profusely in shorts and a T-shirt in Holguin, Cuba. I wasn’t hanging out at the beach, though – I was sitting on a child-sized chair in the atrium of a home that had been converted into a school for blind children. While trucks roared by outside and the odour of diesel fuel drifted in through the windows, the young students enthusiastically performed a play for their delighted guests.

I was visiting with a group of friends on a trip we called “Vacation for Vision.” Months of planning and fundraising, as well as collecting, cleaning and repairing specialized electronics and other assistive technology, had culminated in the delivery of our donation to the school. The staff and students treated us to lunch, entertainment and a tour of their thriving little community, but we also received much more.

Everyone on the trip paid extra to cover the cost of shipping our donations, and we all agreed it was well worth the money. Meeting the teachers and students who so greatly appreciated the things we brought was something I will never forget. Lynette Geddes, a fellow organizer and participant, agrees. She says that visiting the school was an “incredibly moving experience,” all the more meaningful to her because she could see first-hand the difference her donation would make. For me, the visit was a rare privilege that reinforced the importance of giving to charities, both at home and abroad.

Scientific research and personal experience tell us that “giving” to others positively affects both the donor and the recipients. Canadians are very generous with their time and money. In 2006 alone, we donated $8.9 billion. And, according to a study conducted in 2004, 45 percent of Canadians over the age of 15 volunteer, contributing about two billion hours annually to organizations. Sometimes, however, it is easy to feel disconnected from charitable causes we support. Though my friends and I got immense satisfaction from witnessing the happiness our donation generated, it isn’t necessary to travel to another country and deliver your gift in person to feel that you are making a difference.

Volunteering is a great way to see the direct benefits of your contribution. Giving your time or expertise to a cause can be enjoyable, educational and immensely rewarding. There is a wide range of tasks you can do depending on your interests and availability, such as raising funds, sorting canned goods for food banks, helping out at events, teaching someone to read, and lending your skills – say, computer repair, accounting or cooking – to an organization. Some projects will take only a few hours of your time, while others require that you participate in training sessions and make a longer commitment. (Don’t be surprised if an organization requests a police check when you sign on as a volunteer – this step is increasingly common.)

To get started, contact a group or cause that matters to you and inquire about volunteer opportunities. Smaller, local charities are excellent choices because you are contributing to the betterment of your own community, and are more likely to see the tangible results of your donation.

Monetary contributions to charities are just as important, because charities, no matter how efficient, have all the same overhead expenses as for-profit businesses. If you choose to donate money, there are ways for you to make sure your donation will be spent responsibly.

Doing some research is also important because, unfortunately, there are scams out there that take advantage of people’s generosity. Before you donate, you can ensure that a charity is legitimate by checking with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). All of the country’s 78,000 charities are registered with the CRA, and each one has a business number. The CRA also provides information about each charity and its finances, though this is very general. Registered charities must obtain audited financial statements, and you can read a charity’s annual report on its website or by requesting a copy. To find out even more, you can call or visit a charity and discuss its goals and how it is working toward achieving them with staff or volunteers.

Organizations that solicit funds with letters or phone calls spend a portion of your donation on fundraising. This doesn’t mean the cause is unworthy or misusing funds – how else would they find donors? But it does mean that less of each dollar you donate will be spent on the charity’s programs and services.

Whether you participate in a 5K walk, buy chocolate bars to support your child’s school trip, or make a cash donation to an international organization, you are giving. My trip to Cuba altered my perspective on giving by demonstrating to me the difference a relatively small gift can make. It also showed me that every one of us has the power to enrich our own lives and those of others by sharing what we have and giving of ourselves.