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Inspiration

Heeding the call to serve

uring this time of loss and uncertainty due Many school communities establishing distant learning
to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of us have programs need laptop computers and tablet devices for
been harder hit than others. And many U.S. students whose families cannot provide them. They also
D residents who are not suffering ill health or need the brainpower of savvy individuals who can help
loss of livelihood are assessing how they can help others, students lacking internet access at home find safe ways to
because you see, this is what Americans do. The Voice of gain access. Payments professionals, who are accustomed
America recently noted that donating to charities is part of to troubleshooting all manner of thorny situations for
American life, and according to the World Giving Index, merchants, are ideally equipped to help solve this problem,
the United States is "the most generous country in the so all children can receive instruction until they can safety
world, followed by Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and return to classrooms.
Britain."
You might also have legal or financial expertise to offer.
It's true that U.S. taxpayers can deduct a percentage of If you're a fitness buff, you might be able to help people
charitable donations when the IRS comes calling, but stay fit at home by sharing motivational fitness videos.
there's more to it than that. It turns out that humans are Similarly, if you've experienced the benefits of meditation,
biologically hardwired for generosity. "Acting generously you could teach others the basics through video. And if
activates the same reward pathway that is activated by you aren't in a high-risk group, you can make deliveries
sex and food, a correlation that may help to explain why for organizations like Meals on Wheels or ferry people to
giving and helping feel good," so stated the Greater Good medical appointments (with your mask on).
Science Center. And people living in democratic societies
have great freedom to act on this inherent impulse. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.
Just texting, emailing or phoning a friend to say you're
Kindness also brings benefits beyond good feelings. thinking of them can uplift someone tremendously. Or
Multiple studies have found that volunteering is associated shopping for an elderly neighbor (leaving the food on the
with delayed mortality, and giving time, effort or goods porch to maintain social distancing) can be a lifeline. Yes,
to those in need brings donors improved psychological we are a generous society overall, and now, more than
health and well-being. ever, we are needed. Are you ready?
Many ways to help

So, if you are in a giving frame of mind right now, you are
not alone. You may already be helping brick-and-mortar
merchants set up online stores and helping restaurateurs
ramp up online food ordering for pickup or delivery. You
might be among the thousands of people who have sewn Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
masks for those who need them or provided personal
protective equipment and other hard-to-find supplies for
frontline medical workers.

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