volunteering – Natalie Abbott

#GivingTuesday

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

I will admit it: I hit the mall this weekend… and Costco (found the dragon dog toys that everyone has been raving about!)… and Walmart, since apparently Costco doesn’t carry poop bags! I spent perhaps more than I intended to, although I blame needing to assemble more of a work wardrobe for most of it! So I contributed to the Black Friday Weekend and Cyber Monday craziness.

But I really love the message and intention of #GivingTuesday. I have always been strongly involved with a few non-profits as a volunteer, and I give what I can. But the gift of time is even more valuable. Yesterday the gift of time involved me having to hurriedly compose a ConstantContact e-mail and social media posts after my computer died on me (and is still dead!). It was kind of a pain, but it’s satisfying when the “likes”, “shares” and “retweets” start happening.

I hope to someday be in a financial position to give more (haha, says she who works for the county government…) but for now giving time is how I’m celebrating #GivingTuesday – manning tables for Canine Companions for Independence, sharing my story, doing all the web & social media for the Moebius Syndrome Foundation… It is true that giving back makes me feel better about myself and the world around me.

Some Heavy Thoughts & Inspired Actions

I have lots of both right now.

My grandmother died last night. Completely expected, but still at the same time hard.

Had a wonderful final visit with her, where she got to meet the dog and he gave her some of the love that only something with four legs, a wagging tail and big soulful eyes can give. I will treasure hat.

Death always makes me think of life, of trying to live and to make an impact on the world. I try to do it to the bestow my ability, try not to become encumbered by my own self-doubts and issues.

Considering things, I think I do a pretty damn good job of working for the causes I believe in.

Lots of the work I do (all the social media and web work for the Moebius Syndrome Foundation) is quite frankly done alone and without much response. We keep gaining followers, so I think I’m doing something right!

Because lots of my volunteer work is done remotely, I’m loving my involvement with CCI and being able to do in-person volunteer stuff! Later this month, I’m walking in the DogFest Walk ‘n Roll in Santa Rosa. Thanks to my amazing family and friends I’ve already reached my fundraising goal, which I’m really proud of. I would have had more in “my” account, but my dad accidentally (and hysterically) donated to himself!!)

But of course that doesn’t matter. What matters is more awareness, more contributions, more involvement from these events. I can’t wait to share my experiences with the amazing community I’m honored to be a part of through my partnership with my amazing dog.