Tips – INC Giving Project

5 Things I Learned With Habitat For Humanity

“Enjoy what you do and it will never be work.” We’ve all heard that saying. This typically applies to a career path or job choice. But I think it just as easily applies to volunteering. Most people would consider a full day at a construction site; climbing ladders, painting, hammering, and cutting, as doing “work.” But lucky for me, I enjoy helping in that way. So when I heard there was an opportunity to help with Habitat for Humanity in a nearby city, I signed up along with some friends! It was one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. Here are the top 5 things I learned volunteering at Habitat For Humanity.

The need is there

I live in California and you don’t have to travel far to see the need for housing. The housing crisis has worsened each year with more and more finding themselves homeless. While there are some more immediate solutions for individuals, housing for an entire family can be more challenging to come by. For some, it is practically impossible. While registering to volunteer, I learned that the homes I would be helping with were going to military veterans and their families. I have friends and family that are military veterans. So this opportunity hit a bit closer to home and made it even more fulfilling because I was familiar with some of the challenges veterans and their families face.

Friends make the experience even better

I must admit, I am a bit of an introvert. So when it comes to doing hands-on work like cutting, building, and painting, I tend to like being on my own. I like to focus on the task and enjoy the momentary solitude. But having friends work on such an awesome project, alongside me was really special. It was a day filled with paint splatters, shared laughter, and a lot of silly moments. It was a day we could reflect on happily for years to come. It was also special because I was reminded that my friends and I shared the same values and really connected on a level beyond the laughter and silliness of friendship. We were there together working hard to make the most of this opportunity–not for recognition or even peer pressure. It was a need we recognized and an opportunity to help some local families whom we wouldn’t have normally had the chance to help.

There is always something new to learn

Who knew you could learn new skills by volunteering? As mentioned, I enjoy this type of work–cutting, measuring, painting, assembling, climbing ladders. It’s great! But as familiar as I was with many of the tasks we were given, there were still a lot of things I learned. For the things I was familiar with, I found more efficient or effective ways to do it. I also learned how to do things I had never done before. For example, I had never painted the high portions of the walls along a stairwell. I never thought of how painters painted the spaces beyond their reach. I assumed a really long pole and a paint roller would do the trick. While that works in some cases, if you want a closer look and more thorough coverage, you have to get a bit closer. But how do you get closer? A ladder or two and a very thick wooden plank to walk on! With the use of the existing steps of the stairs and an adjustment to one set of legs on the ladder, a scaffolding can be created that easily adjusts along the steps, bringing us safely closer to the harder-to-reach sections of the walls.

There is always someone new to meet

Another really fun aspect of volunteering with Habitat For Humanity was meeting new people that shared a common goal. I’ve established that it was a lot of fun working with my friends, but it was also fun meeting these new people who were also on the construction site. Some were actual construction workers and home builders–actual experts. It was great picking their brain and learning what methods they used in accomplishing everything on our task list for the day. I thoroughly enjoyed all the technical lingo being thrown around. But just as there were experts from the field, there were those just as inexperienced as my friends and I; and we learned from them that there are other creative ways to successfully accomplish the tasks on our list. I really valued their out-of-the-box thinking and have held on to many of the things I learned from them and apply it even to my daily life. It truly shows that, beyond gaining technical knowledge, there are life lessons learned by volunteering.

Time well spent

Helping others, in ways big and small, is never a waste. On an individual level and as a team, we gained so much. We ended that day with a better understanding of how volunteer efforts like this truly make a difference. There is always something from an experience that will help us grow. We started bright and early at 7am and ended the day at 3pm. It was a full day of work. But since I enjoyed it so much, it really was just a full day of helping, friendship, laughter and learning. By all accounts, it was a day well spent and one I wouldn’t hesitate to do again.

About the Author:

Nan Zapanta is the host of Blueprint and is a producer at incmedia.org.

Volunteering Helps New Grads Gain Experience

Every year new grads are faced with the predicament of needing the experience to land their first job. The problem is they don’t have a job to gain the experience they need. Tricky, right?

This year is no different. After starting the year in the strongest job market in 50 years, recent college grads now face an uphill battle when it comes to landing their dream job out of college due to the global pandemic.

Consider the following:

The unemployment rate for young people age 20 to 24 was 12.5% in September, the highest among adults.
As of October, eleven million people remain unemployed, about twice the number in February.
Job postings remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

While it’s easy to get caught up worrying about the stats and the current economy, here’s how you can gain valuable experience to build your resume and make a difference through volunteering.

Three Ways Volunteer Experience Helps New Grads

Gain experience and Do Good

Most non-profit organizations have a similar structure as the companies you’ve been sending applications to — human resources, digital media, marketing finance, IT, project management, etc. But while the corporation you want to work for has a budget to hire, many non-profits look to volunteers to help with their day-to-day operations.

Reach out to an organization you care about and volunteer. Whether it’s writing thank you letters to donors, helping manage their social media presence, or even helping design their website, there’s an opportunity to gain relevant experience and develop your skills while supporting an organization that matters to you.

An Opportunity to Network

Your fellow volunteers might be hiring managers, directors, entrepreneurs, etc. Having the opportunity to work side by side with them is an opportunity for you to create meaningful connections with like-minded individuals who may one day help you connect with a dream job or mentor you.

Plus, when you’re volunteering, the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed, allowing you the opportunity to shine without the pressure to impress.

Helps with Your Stress Levels

Looking for a job can be stressful. You’re worried about paying back college loans, paying rent, and it’s easy to get caught up and stress yourself out. Volunteering helps you counter that by your brain releasing happy chemicals also known as dopamine, oxytocin, endorphin, and serotonin when you volunteer.

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, when we boost these chemicals in our brains, it helps to “decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone that directly impacts stress levels” and you end up with those special, deep, and touching moments.

As you can see, while going out into your community to do good is useful in developing your resume and experience, volunteering can also help improve your well-being, especially when uncertainty about the future is causing increased anxiety and stress.

Here’s how you can get started.

How to Gain Valuable Experience through Volunteering

Reach out to non-profits you care about and offer you help.

Maybe it’s an organization you’ve worked within the past or one you’ve admired from afar. Reach out and see what volunteer opportunities they currently have and how you can sign up.

Pro-Tip: Regularly volunteering with the same organization can help you establish relationships with organizers and open up many more opportunities that may not be listed on their website.

Look around your neighborhood

Sometimes the opportunity to help is just around the corner. When the pandemic hit in 2020, INC Giving volunteers, Natalie Fitzpatrick from Surrey, British Columbia, and Kesha Marges from New York City discovered that they didn’t need to go too far to find individuals to help. With neighbors unable to leave their homes due to the coronavirus, Natalie and Kesha took it upon themselves to pitch in and volunteer.

Learn more about what Natalie and Kesha did and see how you can do it in your neighborhood.

Get Creative and Create Your Opportunities

Maybe you haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer yet, or you’re not sure where to start, but that shouldn’t stop you from creating an opportunity that brings together your interests and what you studied in school.

Take, for example, Sharlene Oca, a young teacher who took it upon herself to set up a Storytime Online when the shutdown started and kids weren’t able to go to school. Or Josh Menachen, a young chef in New York who used his culinary skills to feed those on the front lines.

Thinking outside the box and creating opportunities to do good can highlight soft skills your future employers are looking for like initiative, creative thinking, and problem-solving.

It might take time for the economy and job market to get back to what it was pre-covid, but it doesn’t mean you need to sit and wait for that moment to come to work on your resume. Go out there and volunteer! While you’re out spreading kindness, you’ll be doing something to help your development. How great is that?

We’d love to hear how you’re making a difference in your community. Send us your story or post it on social media and use #incgiving and #makekindnesscontagious in your post.

About the Writer:

Renezen Benedicto is a web content producer for INCMedia.org. She’s a long-time INC Giving volunteer and loves helping local organizations like Muttville and Back on My Feet.

Finding Ways to Volunteer Virtually

I love this time of year.

Enjoying the great weather, drinking hot lattes, wearing sweaters, and volunteering with Special Olympics Northern California, has always made winter my favorite season. I loved spending my weekends wearing my INC Giving hoodie and running around Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, cheering and coaching athletes during the soccer season. Unfortunately, with Covid-19 cases still on the rise and social distancing guidelines, soccer won’t be happening for a while.

However, not all opportunities to volunteer and help the community are on hold this year.

In fact, like many organizations, non-profits have taken the opportunity to pivot and shift some options online. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a passion for helping others.

Five Virtual Volunteering Opportunities and Where to Find Them

1. Mock Interviews for Job Seekers

Sign up with organizations that train students and job seekers to prepare for job interviews. Volunteering to conduct virtual mock interviews is a great way to help individuals prepare for interviews that will be conducted online.

Look up job training organizations in your area to find opportunities to help with mock interviews and even to review resumes.

2. Connect with Seniors and Home-bound Individuals

The ongoing pandemic has left seniors even more isolated from the world, leading to higher levels of loneliness and anxiety among the elderly. To help reach out and connect with this at-risk population, volunteers call seniors and home-bound residents once a week to check-in and see how they’re doing.

Research local organizations working with seniors before the pandemic, and see how they’re staying connected and how you can help.

3. Contribute Your Language Skills

If you’re fluent in another language, volunteer to translate documents so they can be accessible for others. The process is simple. Follow the steps to become a certified translator and claim your first assignment with Translators without Borders.

4. Use Your Writing Skills for Good

Non-profits depend on clear communication with donors, volunteers, and their community to keep their organization going. Volunteer your time to write thank-you notes, help organizations tell their inspiring stories or help create engaging social media posts.
These opportunities might not be listed online, so don’t hesitate to reach out and offer your help.

Sign up to be on call on Be My Eyes, a free app that connects volunteers with blind or low-vision individuals who need help to tackle challenges and solve problems through a live video call.

From helping someone find something they dropped on the floor to helping read birthday cards, the opportunities can happen anywhere and anytime.

Spread Kindness and Connect Online

While volunteering online feels like you’re missing out on the vital face-to-face component, I’ve found that these virtual opportunities allow you to connect in a way that wasn’t always available in person or in large groups.

I recently joined a group of volunteers to conduct mock interviews, review LinkedIn Profiles, and give feedback to trainees going through the Computer Technologies Program in Berkeley. Computer Technologies Program (CTP) provides people with disabilities for professional employment by providing technical training, coaching, and associated services. With breakout sessions and one-on-one feedback sessions built into the virtual event, we got the chance to provide much-needed support to individuals looking for help to move forward in their new careers.

And as a volunteer, the opportunity was both a rewarding and humbling experience.

Look for Virtual Opportunities that Interest You

With more and more organizations moving opportunities online, there is probably an opportunity that fits your passion and interest. Reach out to an organization you’re familiar with or try any of the options we listed above.
We’d love to hear how you’re volunteering online. Send us your story or post it online using #incgiving and #makekindnesscontagious, and let’s do our part in spreading kindness.

About the Writer:

Renezen Benedicto is a web content producer for INCMedia.org. She’s a long-time INC Giving volunteer and loves helping local organizations like Muttville and Back on My Feet.

The Relationship We All Can Try to Foster

We live in unusual times where, more often than not, what’s good is perceived as bad and what’s bad is perceived as good. In recent times, this has become more and more apparent in the relationship between law enforcement and our communities. The keyword in all this is relationship; because that’s exactly what exists between communities and law enforcement- a relationship- and much like any relationship; it starts with the best of intentions. No one in their right mind begins a relationship with the intent of destroying it. It’s a two-way street and unfortunately, mistakes can be made on either side. It’s almost unavoidable, but I think we can all agree that a good first step towards bettering the relationship is to appreciate each other.

RECOGNIZE WHEN WE ARE BEING APPRECIATED

As a community member, let’s stop and think of how many times law enforcement has responded to a call for help. Individually, our experiences will vary, but as a collective, the positive definitely outweighs the negative. Any time there are emergencies, who are one of the first that show up? Yes, local law enforcement. They show up ready to put their lives on the line. That’s an oath they swore to uphold and an overwhelming majority of the time, that’s what they set out to do.

This oath is significant to me because it was fully upheld at an Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ house of worship in Seattle late last year when it was directly attacked with firebombs during a worship service. Thankfully no one was injured and thankfully the local law enforcement was very quick to respond and assure the safety of the congregation. My appreciation for local law enforcement continued to grow even more in recent weeks because they began showing up without even having to call. Local Police Departments across the United States began increasing their patrol rounds at worship buildings in light of the recent attacks on places of worship. In Washington DC and New Jersey specifically, brethren from the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ congregations in that area shared that the local police even went as far as parking multiple law enforcement vehicles in the worship building parking lots, and having officers stand guard in the lobbies. They also offered to speak to the congregations about safety. This initiative and willingness to go the extra mile, in order to assure the community that they were safe, is the perfect example of showing appreciation. They appreciate us enough to proactively face these potential threats of violence, which sadly seem to be increasing towards places of worship. This act of appreciation deserves to be recognized and reciprocated.

LET’S PUT OURSELVES IN THEIR SHOES

Before we start thinking of ways to show our appreciation, let’s consider that it’s easier to understand and appreciate someone if we put ourselves in their shoes. Now we might not have the capability to literally act as a law enforcement officer, nor do I recommend someone do that if they are not in fact a law enforcement officer. But let’s try to understand the nature of the profession. Many people don’t want to be told what they’re doing is wrong and they generally become defensive when that happens. So imagine if a large share of your profession is to identify rules people are breaking and to correct them immediately, essentially telling them they are wrong and to stop doing that. Throw in some chance encounters with people that are actually breaking the law or intend to do so, and it will undoubtedly lead to some tense moments. It reminds me of the old saying, “Expect the best but plan for the worst”. The situations law enforcement officers face on a daily basis can change at an instant. It can shift from a seemingly positive encounter to a very bad one- with their lives ultimately on the line.

RETURN THE APPRECIATION

As a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ, my faith is that we should do good to those who need it. This is also the goal and premise of the INC Giving Project. So with a better understanding of what our local law enforcement officers have to face daily and seeing that, despite these realities, they still make efforts like those in Seattle, Washington DC and New Jersey, let’s do some good and show them that we appreciate them. Here are some examples of things we can do:

Greet any law enforcement officer you see in person and thank them for their service. A smile and a handshake can make all the difference
Visit your local police station and bring them some snacks or a care package.
Organize an appreciation event for them and invite them over.
Write letters or cards of appreciation to your local station.
Treat them the way you would want someone to act if you were in their shoes. Respect and cooperation can go a very long way.

As community members, let’s remember that we are all part of the relationship between law enforcement and our community. We can easily do our part and this list is just a start in the right direction. We live in unusual times, so maybe we should do something unusual and show respect and appreciation to our law enforcement officers. Who knows? Maybe through our efforts, appreciation for one another will become the usual.

Nan Zapanta is an INC Media staff writer from Southern California and is the host of the show Blueprint. When he’s not on the search for stories about kindness or exploring houses of worship, he can be found exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.

Give A Little Grace

I just wanted a cup of coffee. A strong, beautiful dose of caffeine to get my hectic night-blurred-into-morning continued. Except my eyes were drawn to the minutes slipping away as I rushed to make the noon pick up of my 4-year-old from preschool. I anxiously rolled my car in line of the doctor’s office parking structure after scrambling through my purse for the parking ticket that was actually staring at me from my lap.

Finally, finally … it was my turn.

(Time check, I could make it, coffee is around the corner)

I handed my ticket to the attendant as I picked up a phone call, staring at the clock, gulping down some water while figuring out my driving route and writing my next message in my head. I was far from present, impatiently questioning in my head why the attendant was taking longer than she had with the cars before me …

(Time check, this took way too long, now I’m late!)

I read a few more messages while rerouting my drive with the few seconds I could steal.

“Your hair is so beautiful,” the attendant said.

Confused and completely frazzled in my mind, I looked over responded with a “I’m sorry, what was that?” (really wanting to ask “is there a problem, may I go now?”)

Then she slapped my self-absorbed face with her warmest smile, one that completely stopped me in my tracks and restated, “I really like what you did with it, it’s gorgeous.”

I let out the most embarrassed sigh. Quickly remembering where I was and what I was doing, I let her kindness replace my anxiety with a chuckle, returning her compliment with a big smile of my own, and a “Thank you, I love yours as well!” genuinely adoring her full head of curls that framed her face so well.

I drove off, and instead of rushing to squeeze in that cup of coffee, I took the time to talk to God while I made my way towards my son.

“Thank you,” was the focal point of this prayer.

This parking attendant completely turned my morning around.

Just with a genuine smile, and a compliment — she gave me confidence to remember the little things. You know, the ones we tend to overlook, because it’s so easy to get wrapped up in our own worries.

In my moment of unpresent and auto-piloted exhaustion, her compliment gave me grace. So I try, every morning, to pay it forward and remind myself to give grace to someone else.

Here’s a few ways you can too:

5 Ways You Can Brighten Someone’s Day, By Giving a Little Grace

1. Say the magic words.

“Please” and “Thank you”! We now live in a society of immediate supply and demand. We can order this or customize that to our liking, any moment of the day. But asking politely and appreciating the actions of others can combat this growing notion that we’re entitled to everything. We’re not though, and we can choose to reciprocate kind gestures.

It’s one of the simplest gestures of them all, so it’s easy to skip it. But saying the magic words set the tone of how we also would like to be treated, and remembered.

2. Smile!

When I see a stranger smile at me, it does two things:

One, creep me out. Joking! But in all seriousness, it makes me self-aware. Am I doing something towards them to make them feel happy, did I possibly make them laugh? Maybe they’re just being polite. Without fail, I resort to the latter. Regardless, smiles are contagious, just like laughs are.

Two, smiles given to me remind me how much better it is to choose happy, and to share it. I could be having the worst day ever, but if someone goes out of their way to smile at me in passing, I immediately am conscious of what message my face is delivering. I want to deliver kindness and nothing else … whether it’s the first time or the 100th time I’ve seen them.

3. Hold the door.

Or simply, look for other opportunities to help. We’re all in need of something, be it material or emotional, or even spiritual. Something as small as getting up out of your seat to offer it to the elderly across the room, or leaving a fun note and some change in the machine at the laundromat for the next user — we never know how far the gesture can go, so it’s worth a try.

4. Stay, or Walk Away.

Sometimes, all someone needs is someone to talk to, or someone to listen. Investing interest in someone else, even if for one minute, while we put our thoughts on pause, could make the world of a difference to someone else.

And other times, we can make someone’s day by walking away — you know, those unfortunate times where our human limitations get the best of us, our blood boils out of frustration and we find ourselves possibly a little overly expressive? Yea … those times can be tough. But consciously watching our words, actions and reactions — speaking with grace — it can all greatly impact the quality of time we have with others and the lasting impression we make on the relationships we have.

5. Slow down.

In other words, be present. Just as I was rushing to move on to the next agenda item of my day when the kind parking attendant complimented me, I’m reminded every day of how important it is to stop and give someone else a moment of me; of my attention, my heart, my energy. It’s a conscious, constant effort I’m learning to make that opens up more opportunities to do good onto others.

I pray to never be remembered as the person who was “too busy to look up.” I want to carry the love of Christ in my heart, and have it written all over my face at all times, even the busiest, most chaotic ones. I learn this every day from people around me doing good.

I want to do good, by giving grace to others. I know what it did (and what it does!) to me, and I pray for more opportunities to share this simple act of kindness to others.

About the Writer:

@LoisPaula is a full-time staff member at INC Media Services. With a background in public relations, she’s always drawn to opportunities that promote positive social change and raise the visibility of a life led by God. Mostly, she’s just navigating the everyday balance of faith and family herself, while reading the pages of the story God writes for her 4-year-old boy and soon-to-be baby girl with her husband in Orange County, Calif.

What a Sandwich Taught Me About the Momentum of Kindness

When you hear the term “act of kindness” what do you picture? Until recently, when I heard or read the term “act of kindness”, I pictured smiling faces, food banks, clothing drives and large groups of people gathered for a specific cause. But recently, that image was replaced by, of all things, a sandwich.

…share the goodness with someone else…

It is as random as it sounds. The other day, my friend kindly offered me a sandwich. A picture-perfect sandwich crafted with ham, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and cheese sitting between two slices of soft yet slightly toasted bread. Yes, if you can’t tell, food makes me smile. So when she offered, I happily accepted. But quickly realized that I had packed my lunch for the day. I was faced with a decision- either eat this delicious sandwich, which I clearly didn’t need, or share the goodness with someone else? I never really thought about it. I work in Orange County, home to some of the most affluent cities in the country. How many people go hungry here in the “OC” as it’s commonly referred to. Do people even go hungry here? I have seen some of the less fortunate in the area so I had an idea. After a bit of searching on the Internet, it turns out 301,000 people are at risk of hunger each month in Orange County, California according to www.feedoc.org.

With that many people at risk of hunger, the decision was clear. I decided to take some snacks from the lunch I had packed myself, along with the sandwich my friend so kindly shared, and make another lunch from that. I thought for sure there had to be someone out there that needed lunch, so I decided to go for a drive.

…all of it, was so fulfilling- much more fulfilling than enjoying something for yourself.

Finding someone wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I found myself driving around aimlessly until I came to a stop at an intersection. There I found a young man playing a guitar. He smiled as he played and at his feet, there was a sign that read, “Anything helps”. It was a sign, literally. So I pulled over and offered him the lunch. The strumming stopped, his eyes lit up and he ran towards me. He couldn’t stop saying “Thank you.” I almost felt embarrassed because I hadn’t really done anything special enough to warrant such a response. But his gratitude was clear and in that moment, it hit me. Driving around, looking for someone that might need a lunch, seeing this young man, witnessing his reaction…all of it, was so fulfilling- much more fulfilling than enjoying something for myself. Granted all this unfolded in a matter of hours, I learned a lot of things from the experience.

Here’s what I discovered.

1.An act of kindness can come in so many different forms

An act of kindness can come in so many different forms, even very subtle ones like a ham sandwich. Not to sound cliché, but kindness is all around us. If we see past the cloud of negativity and harshness that lingers all around the world these days, we see that, more often than not, there are people willing to share and willing to do something for others.

2. An act of kindness, big or small, is inspiring

I didn’t plan on receiving a free sandwich that day nor did I plan to drive around and share a sandwich. But I was inspired as the direct recipient of an act of kindness. If we find ourselves on the receiving end of kindness, let’s think about how we can extend the reach of that act.

3. An act of kindness carries momentum with it

Ultimately, those of us who receive kindness also determine the reach of that act of kindness. This reach can be extended if we continue sharing kindness after receiving it. So as easy as it can stop with us, it can just as easily continue through us.

4. Gratitude isn’t the real source of fulfillment

Gratitude, as good as it can make you feel, isn’t the real source of fulfillment. The young man playing his guitar was extremely grateful and I’ll admit, it made me feel really good to see how grateful he was. But since then I’ve reached out to others in a similar way and have received a variety of responses. Some have expressed indifference, some even reluctance. Thankfully none have been angry. But in each moment, surprisingly, I still felt the same degree of fulfillment.

5. My motivation to share kindness

I learned that the sandwich may have been the catalyst for me to share that day, but my motivation to share kindness is deeply rooted in my faith and in the efforts promoted by the INC Giving Project.

Since helping with the INC Giving Project, my values and motivation to do good have been enriched. The goal now is to carry the momentum of “an act of kindness” even further, for as many people as we can.

…carry the momentum of “an act of kindness” even further…

3 Reasons to Thank a Police Officer

They may have pulled you over on our daily commute for going that extra 10 mph over the speed limit; or maybe you saw them directing traffic from an unfortunate 3-car pile up on the side of the highway or keeping order at the concert you went to last month. Who would these public workers be? You guessed correctly, police officers.

Hopefully, your last interaction with them was a friendly observance of them performing one of the many functions that duty calls them to, and not to impose direct force on you from an infringement, or God-forbid be one of the individuals you faintly remember from that life-threatening or tragic incident.

Why Police Officers Deserve our Thanks

We will never be obligated to appreciate them for their service, but here are a few reasons why thanking a police officer could provide us another layer of comfort as we step outside our front door and into the world.

#1. They serve us, the community.

In many communities, police and law enforcement officers don’t only serve to protect or keep law and order. It’s said that law enforcement take the role of social workers, community organizers, counselors, protectors, mediators and even medical care providers.

Regardless of the reason, police officers respond to the call of duty. Recognized or not by people like you and me, they continue to serve at a moment’s notice, many times for things unseen. They’re here for us, people of their community. They don’t have to, but they choose to.

“We work day in and day out, and we tend to deal with the 5% of people who don’t necessarily want to see the police. We know the 95% of the people who do appreciate the police are out there, but it just solidifies it and makes it real, when people come and show appreciation like you guys did here today.”

– Sergeant Cory Ma // Calgary Police Station – District 3, North Haven.

Calgary Police Station, Canada

#2. They have family, as well.

Like any public service worker, police and first responders contribute long hours and constantly stay on the clock, many times at the expense of directly serving the needs of their own families.

But when an unfortunate situation strikes, and they become one of our few trusted confidants, or even just a symbolic representation of hope — we remember that they stood by our side. It’s their faces and their names that leave a lasting impression. Without question, we’re already family. They don’t have to be, but they choose to.

“It was (an event) where I got to sit down with a few ladies who could have been my mom or my grandmother … and a whole slew of little children who were just so excited to speak with a police officer … even when when guys went back to the station and were finishing up their work getting ready to go home and spend time with their real families, they were still commenting on how wonderful it made them feel to share a really great meal with people who stay right across the street.” – Lt. Allan Roman // Anaheim Police Department

Saskatoon Police Service, Canada

#3. We need each other

In as much as the community becomes an extended family for and with its local police or law enforcement branch, it’s understood that we will need each other.

Members of the Church Of Christ or INC Giving volunteers, for example, continuously make the constant conscious effort to open its doors to the families and neighbors within the communities it serves. Police officers are no different. With all types of public workers around the world, INC Giving volunteers host events and take time to ensure their local law enforcement and first responders know how much the Church values their time, and their sacrifice. Most especially with their youth. It’s an investment of trust that in the years to come both parties see as beneficial for the betterment of their communities. Families don’t have to introduce themselves or their children to police officers, or all neighbors, but many choose to.

“… it’s always a good experience to see the kids come in and be able to talk to them and try to give them positive influence … in an environment that’s safe, where they can see that there’s nothing to be afraid of … to be able to see their faces light up … it just makes our day, and we really really enjoy having groups like yours come and see us.” – Captain Phillip Orelli // Jacksonville Fire & Rescue, Station 30

“I think it’s important that we all support each other and always look for the good in everybody. It’s easy for people to focus on the negatives, but if we could all take a second to focus on something positive, it could take us a lot further in helping our community and helping each other.” – Sergeant Alana MacLeod // Calgary Police Station – District 3, North Haven

Washington, D.C.

The Choice is Yours

“Thank you for your service,” is all it takes. Even a smile or another token of your appreciation could translate the same. This line carries a lot of weight to service workers everywhere. Whether it’s our mailman we see every day, or the family member returning from military deployment, or even our teacher we rush out of the classroom to leave without even a wave goodbye.

So although you don’t have to, and even if you may not see its impact directly, we hope you choose to appreciate a law enforcement or first responder today.

Need some help? Contact your local or District Christian Family Organization Officers, or email info@incgiving.org.

Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. (Proverbs 3:27 GNT)

Highpoint, North Carolina

Replenishing the Edmonton Food Bank

The cold season in Canada is a difficult time for many families, including those in the Edmonton region.

Concerned for the community, INC Giving volunteers of the Edmonton region, came together to give a helping hand.

A food donation drive was initiated earlier this month. The INC Giving volunteers responded promptly and generously by buying and gathering non-perishable food items to donate to the Edmonton Food Bank. The support was overwhelming, and the volunteers felt joy in their hearts knowing that whatever they donated, helped numerous families in need. Volunteers empathized and understood that there was a need for food donations because many community members struggled to put food on the table for their families.

Boxes of donations were collected in the respective areas such as: Edmonton North, Edmonton West, Eastwood and Ellerslie in the Edmonton region. Then, two weeks later, volunteers gathered enough non-perishable food items to fill up to 445 boxes. Although the weather conditions were very cold in Edmonton, as many as 600 INC Giving volunteers came out to help the Edmonton Hagmann Fire Station and gave support to this Nation-Wide Campaign. INC Giving volunteers and firemen alike formed an assembly line, massing a stockpile of canned goods. Excitement and joy in the air were present, as boxes after boxes piled high at the fire station. The workers at the station working that day, could not believe the amount of food donated and the amount of volunteers who showed up to support this cause.

Chief Fireman, Tom Groot, expressed his gratitude to the INC Giving volunteers for their willingness to give so much to the community. Also, he stated that, “All these extra food will help people in need, such as the homeless, and will provide a good meal to help anyone in need to survive.” – Chief Fireman, Tom Groot

Contributed by: Jowella Mendoza

Jowella Mendoza is an active INC GIVING volunteer from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She works at a bank and spends her free time with her family and friends. Despite her busy schedule, she understands the importance of giving back to those in need because she believes that donating is an important cause that everyone should take part in, even if it’s just during a few of the day.

Stories From Manila – #21DaysOfKindness

Nowadays, not too many people take the time to show kindness towards strangers. Some say they’re busy while others may not know how to start, but sometimes, you don’t even have to look too far to show kindness.

This past March, the Ecclesiastical District of Manila launched the 21-Day Kindness Challenge, which had been successfully launched in various districts outside the Philippines. These are some of the stories of those who took on the challenge.

On this particular day after my work, dumeretso sa dako para dumalo ng gawain, then bago umuwi ng bahay dumaan ako kay tatay para ibigay angdala kong pagkain galing sa office. Nakahiga nasya kanina then humarap ako sa kanya bigla syang bumangon at binati ako, kitang kita ko sa mga mata nyakung gaano sya kasaya, Humingi ako ng picture sa kanya, and for the first time we have a picture as remembrance…Ang sabi ko kay Tatay Eddie, “Masaya ako, kasi may napasaya ako sa araw na ito.”

This is Eddie who has a son named Loloy. I met him and his son in the area near Domingo Santiago, Sampaloc, Manila. They are from Bulacan but Eddie says life is hard there so he came here with his son. He doesn’t have a wife and even though they have relatives, but they live far from them.

His son, Loloy, collects junks and sells them to the junk shop so that they have something to eat.

On this particular day after work, I went straight to attend bible study. Then, before I went home I went to Eddie’s place to give him food, which I brought home from the office.

He was already lying down, but when he saw me he got up to greet me. I could see from his eyes how happy he was. I asked for a picture with him so we have something that would remind us of this moment. I said to him, “I am happy because this day I was able to bring happiness to someone.”

Jessa Mae Jose is from the local congregation of Sampaloc in Manila. Along with spreading kindness on the streets of Manila, she sings in the choir, a Children’s Worship Service Officer in the area of Altura Main and helps oversee an area Area as part of the KADIWA Organization (Organization of single members over 18)

So I was waiting for my research team at a meeting place near UE when suddenly this child approached me and asked for some spare change. Instead, giving him changed I offered him lunch in a cafeteria nearby.

As we conversed, he told me his name was Exequiel. I asked him why he was begging people for money and I found out that he only wanted to help his father who feeds him along with his 5 siblings. They can only afford rice as his “baon (lunch from home)” in school to be shared with his brothers and sisters. His mother recently left for Davao.

Before going our separate ways, I gave him some money and he said: “Yes, may pambili na kami ng bigas (we now have enough money to buy rice).” A small act of kindness for you might be huge for someone, so never stop being kind!

Princess Ronquillo is from the local congregation of Tondo, the most densely populated district in the city of Manila. She is a member of SCAN (Society of Communicators and Networkers) and a Teacher for the Children’s Worship Service of the Church Of Christ. In addition, she’s one of the District Officers for the Christian Brotherhood International (CBI), an organization for students.

A tricycle ride from our house in Guiguinto, Bulacan, to the main road costs 10 pesos for each person, but, I gave twice the regular fair. These drivers (some of them are very old) spend most of their time serving other people just so they can provide for their family. By the end of the trip, I handed one of the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s PASUGO(God’s Message) magazines as a thank you for the tricycle driver’s kindness to me during the trip.

It’s not about how much you give to people but it’s about how much you care and show kindness for them.

A little tip for their hard work might be a simple thing but every simple thing that is made out of pure love and kindness makes it special!

Reinier Roman Santos sings in the choir in the Church Of Christ’s local congregation in Tayuman, Philippines. He is the Christian Brotherhood International District Director. He commutes regularly and has been paying twice the regular fare on tricycle rides side 2013

At a very young age, I lost my grandparents on both sides of my family. Considering that I was such a grandpa’s girl, my heart remains close to the elderly. Seeing a grandma seated at the side of the street, under the heat of the sun in front of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Santa Cruz, Metro Manila, I couldn’t help but approach her.

I talked to her, and she confided that her children were in the province and that she was just waiting there in front of the hospital to sell goods, the proceeds of which will go to her loved ones. I gave her a pack of food and, of course, gave her a copy of the God’s Message Magazine, as a gesture of goodwill and as a means of sharing my faith. Then I saw a smile on her face and as she thanked me, I thought, “Thank you, grandma. It’s about time for you to receive all the love you’ve given to your family”

As a choir member, Assistant Chairperson in the local congregation’s KADIWA (organization for single members 18 and above), and the President of the Children’s Worship Service in Tayuman, an area in northern Manila, Shaira A. Salangsang is often busy with the various activities in the Church Of Christ.

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Hopefully, these acts of kindness will prove that beyond the usual problems in life, there are people with big hearts always willing to extend a helping hand.

What’s your act of kindness today? #incgiving #21DayKindnessChallenge

Grateful to Give

Every day, over 188 phone calls are made to the Calgary Food Bank requesting for emergency food hampers. And, so when our local congregation was first notified of the Food Bank Donation Drive Activity, I could already feel the excitement of the volunteers because we knew we would have the chance to contribute to the needs of the food bank and help those in need in our community. But even then I was surprised by just how much we could help.

Our goal was to gather 50 boxes worth of food donation, but tried our best to do more. The INC Giving volunteers spent all week eagerly shopping for items requested by the food bank – such as, canned goods and diapers.

On the day of the event, a representative from the Calgary Food Bank drove in with a large truck to pick up all 104 boxes that the region was able to fill, which weighed 8915 lbs. Despite the harsh weather conditions, INC Giving volunteers still showed up to help load the boxes, one by one, onto the truck.

It was so inspiring to see INC Giving Volunteers and the Calgary Food Bank unite to help out our fellowmen and not let the weather stop them from performing good deeds. Even the Calgary Food Bank driver’s face was really surprised to see so many people waiting outside in the snow for him. He was even more moved when we started to help load the boxes onto the truck.

Once all the boxes were in the truck ready to be dropped off, the representative thanked the INC Giving Volunteers for their time and effort and took a group photo with everyone. Calgary West’s resident minister, Brother James Lajeras, offered them a God’s Message magazine after the activity.

We often get caught up in life and sometimes take essential things, such as. shelter and food for granted. We are very fortunate here in this part of the world as we have a higher quality way of life and are lucky to be able to receive food, shelter and education every day. However, that should not stop us from helping out those in need.

I saw a quote online that said “Never judge people who have little to nothing, as one day you may find yourself having nothing at all.”

We should be thankful for what we have when some people have nothing at all. We should always try to do good deeds every day, no matter how small the act is. Even the little things, like donating that one extra can of food in our pantry, or donating that pile of old clothes in our closet, can help out someone’s life significantly. Little things can truly make a huge impact on those around you. I know it did for me.

The Calgary Food Bank serves families, individuals and organizations and rely solely on the generous support of the community. Visit http://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/ to see how you can help

Contributed by: Thea Canero

Thea Canero is an INC Giving Volunteer from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is an active participant in INC Giving Projects and the FYM Foundation. Thea is a Sociology major at the University of Calgary and hopes with her degree to help contribute and improve public social services to better support the needs of members in her community. Thea takes pride in helping others and believes that as a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) it is our duty to be kind and help those who are in need.

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