Small Doses of Charity That Help in A Big Way

Due to traveling every weekend in April, I was unable to find a charity event or a fundraiser to participate in this month. However, knowing my busy schedule, I started trying to contribute in small ways in place of one big event. So instead of writing about one non-profit this month, I wanted to share a list of small ways you can contribute throughout a period of time if you find yourself not finding one specific cause to support!

[If you see "Start here" under an item, a link is provided to help you get started helping in that way.]

1. Donate that $1 at the grocery store:

I know at some point you've been at the grocery store checking out when, in that moment before it confirms your total, it asks if you want to donate to something. I've seen many causes, the most recent was a charity that feeds underprivileged children. I know sometimes these requests can come at bad times, but if you think about it relation to what you're buying, that $1 is probably cheaper than everything on the belt. You won't even notice it in the long run, and if everyone did it, these organizations could raise a lot of money.

2. Go directly to the source:

If you are really drawn to helping the homeless, you are able to help in very convenient ways. Keeping bottles of water in your car, along with a couple of granola bars can go along way for that person you see on the side of the freeway exit, or that man asking people for money at the gas station. Just like the $1 at the grocery store, if you buy these extra things when you go grocery shopping yourself, it makes it seem like less of a hassle. If you're concerned about the dogs of the homeless, keep a small bag of dog food in your car and a plastic bowl you can give to the owner to share the water. Either way, a little bit goes a very long way for these people and animals.

3. Set aside $5 to donate to someone's GoFundMe or a natural disaster:

I can't tell you how many GoFundMe's I see on social media now. Admittedly, some of them are for less-than-needy causes, but others are really someone's last try for help. If you budget in $5 dollars a month, when one comes across your timeline that tugs at your heart, you don't have to feel guilty. $5 may not seem like a lot, especially since some of these people are in need of thousands of dollars. Again, if everyone put aside $5 a month to donate to someone in need, it would add up very quickly. If you know you can afford more, then do what your heart tells you! This is also a good place to note that it doesn't ever matter the amount you give, especially when so many of us struggle with finances ourselves. It's still $5 more than they had before. Additionally, GoFundMe is also a place you can donate to natural disaster relief funds. 

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Nepal Earthquake Relief GoFundMe

4. Donate blood:

Donating blood is one of the most popular ways to help out and fit it into your everyday schedule. A lot of businesses and schools hold the blood drives. Ask your local community college or university when their next one is if you aren't registered to donate regularly. Donating blood instead of money is one of the best ways you can help if you are not in a financial place to donate money. It's one of the most selfless things you can do for another person. If needles scare you, commit to finding 5 other people who can donate! Spread the word via email or social media, and you will still have done good for the community.

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5. Donate old clothes or electronics:

I have a couple of trash bags I keep in my room that are designated to hold any clothes I come across throughout the month that I no longer wear or want. Once they are full, I donate them. Try to make sure they are in decent condition, as we don't want to create a hassle for the volunteers at the organizations who take the clothing. There are also places you can donate old PC's or laptops to - some that distribute the computers around the world to help educate under developed countries. This is a quick, easy way to make an immeasurable impact. 

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6. Sign up to find out about future events or ways to help:

If you are like me, and travel a ton, and are always on a budget, signing up for an e-mail list is a great way to make that first step in becoming involved with one charity. If you are sure of the one you want to help out, but can't make the next event or donate at that moment, keep yourself involved by adding your name to their e-mail list. Forward any e-mails that you think would interest your friends. Spreading the word can end up being more beneficial than a simple donation.

7. Walk to your favorite park (or beach!) and pick up trash:

Instead of watching that TV show you're so addicted to, take that hour or two and walk to the closest park to your house. Bring a trash bag, some gloves, and a friend and pick up any trash you see. Not only will this help out the city, but it will make your neighborhood or community cleaner! Bringing a friend will help pass the time and can double as an opportunity to catch up. 

8. Recycle:

One of the oldest, easiest tricks in the book. This would be an especially cool way to help out the community without much effort if your workplace or household doesn't already do it. Go buy a cheap trash can, or even set aside a cardboard box and label it "recycle" and put it by the trash can. Most people will recycle if the option is there. Team up with some other employees to get the recycle plan going.

9. Write a 5-star Yelp review:

I do this all the time for my favorite small businesses. If your favorite non-profit organization (or your favorite for-profit organization that regularly participates in community activities) has a Yelp page, write a raving review. Yelp is one of the first pages that pops up in a Google search. Contributing to a good star count and shedding positive light on a great organization can be the make it or break it for a future donor or activist! 

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10. Research!

Take an hour and research what's around you. Just like signing up for an e-mail list, educating yourself on the places around you will help you be able to designate your time and money in the future. There are countless non-profits that people don't even know about. Awareness is the biggest way to make a non-profit successful. You never know when your local gym or restaurant will be looking to team up with a good cause and you can insert a shameless plug for a local non-profit!

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Challenged Athletes Foundation: Where Impossible is Actually Nothing

On March 8, 2015 the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Roth Group held a Grit Cycle-lead fundraiser spin class. I stumbled upon this incredible event because I attend Grit Cycle's normal classes about once a week. The event was held on the pool deck of the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California and from start to finish was executed flawlessly. Riders had a choice to donate $100 and ride for one of the two offered sessions, or donate $200 and ride for both sessions for a total of one and half hours. Both options set up a successful fiscal outcome for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

The spin class was the usual Grit-styled sweat-pouring workout, but the special guest riders are what made the this particular spin class extra special. There were bikes set up around the instructors from Grit, with some particularly awesome riders. Bill Walton had a stationary set up for his bike where he could ride to the beat up front, while three of the Foundation's athletes rode along with him. While we did not get to hear all of the athlete's stories, we did have the pleasure of hearing one speak, when we learned he had lost his leg in Afghanistan while deployed for the U.S. Military. 

I had anticipated something inspiring from the speaker, but I had no clue just how much cooler these athletes are than me. The speaker went through his story of how he lost his leg, and then hit us with a casual, "and then I completed an Iron Man 22 months later." Excuse me? My jaw absolutely dropped and hit the ground as I attempted to piece together what kind of timeline that meant for his recovery and his training.

Challenged Athletes Foundation gave him the opportunity and the tools to complete that Iron Man, and has continued to give him more opportunities to set newer, bigger goals. As he said, there isn't something they can't help you accomplish in their view. I mean, the man completed an Iron Man for pete's sake.  It doesn't get much harder than that. He said he probably would have completed an Iron Man eventually had he not found CAF, but it would not have been nearly as soon. He explained how the Foundation is like a family, and it's not a one-time type of deal. All of the athletes involved have some type of physical challenge, that some may see as a barrier to living an active lifestyle. CAF does not see it that way. As their mission statement describes, "[t]he Challenged Athletes Foundation believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life." As someone who participated in youth sports growing up, and who finds exercising as my escape, I can whole-heartily agree with that statement. 

CAF is based out of San Diego, California and they hold many interactive events that allow you to contribute to the Foundation either through time, money or both. Their athletic events are composed of everything from triathlons to cycle events, while just this past weekend, they held a Gala to honor the legacy of Robin Williams, who was a long time supporter of CAF. 

This foundation is the perfect cause for especially athletes to support and get involved with. If nothing else, take a moment to visit their website to gather some inspiration for when you feel like you cannot accomplish something. I hope to attend more CAF events in the future so I have the opportunity to hear more of the athletes' stories. Although I only contributed $100, and about 3 hours of my time, I left the fundraiser with far less excuses than when I arrived, and I know this experience will inspire me in all my workouts and other challenges to come.