Give back to the Community and Give your Kids A Valuable Lesson

By Allison Berman
December 15, 2009

People frequently ask me why, if I have so much "on my plate" between work and my family, I would agree to serve on the board for Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, a decision that basically felt like adding a juggling act to my high-wire routine.

It wasn't a "rational" decision. It was emotional. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the life I do. I have a wonderful husband whom I love very much (even if I want to strangle him sometimes). And I have two beautiful, sweet daughters, who, though responsible for many of the gray hairs popping up on the top of my head, are healthy, happy, really good kids.

And while I would like to say the success of both my marriage and my children are the result of hard work, I also believe much is good luck. Something I have had a lot of in my life, something I want to share with others.

And so I volunteer for a wonderful organization that strives to unite the local Jewish community; and fundraisers to assist people of all faiths, who are in need locally, and around the world. I meet with like-minded board members every month to discuss how much money we have raised to date, and how much more we need to accomplish our goals.

I remember how hard it was to move here and know nobody, so I have been particularly involved in creating opportunities to facilitate friendships among young people around the county. One particular endeavor was a recent cocktail party.

I recruited a committee, and together we compiled an invite list, found a place, and then tried to get people not just to say that they were coming, but to actually RSVP and pay for their tickets.

The party was a huge success, and when I went to the board meeting following the event, my fellow board members couldn't have been more appreciative or supportive. I told my husband the next morning I had my fill of positive reenforcement for a week.

So, why do I volunteer?

I volumnteer because a lot of people won't give to charity unless somones asks them to give. And as much as I hate fundraisin, I would rather ask for money than see important programs go unfunded. My husband and I try to teach our daughters this life lesson now. They put money in their charity boxes "for kids whose parents don't have money for food or clothes or toys." Simple and easy to understand, and just as important, easy to remember.

I volunteer because it teaches my girls, as important as it is to give financially, it's also important to give of ourselves.

And I volunteer because I think it keeps my good karma outweighing the bad.

Why don't you volunteer?

Allison Berman, an artist and mother of two, handpaints custom home accessories for interior designers and private customers. She works out of her home studio in Warwick, NY. See her collection at www.withlovealib.com. She can be reached at ali@withlovealib.com. Her column appears Tuesdays.