We are mere weeks away from the biggest holiday of the year. It also happens to be the most hyped, commercialized, stress-filled, travel-choked and all-around expensive one, something made only worse by a high national unemployment rate and a general financial malaise which is forcing people all over the country to scale back their holiday plans.
We have it pretty bad here in Spartanburg — our unemployment rate is well above the national average — but that doesn’t mean that we can’t stick to the the basic ideas of the holiday season and contribute meaningfully to our community during a time when a lot of people and organizations could use the help.
There are plenty of local organizations and non-profits that could use a $10 donation just as much as they could use a $1,000 one. Many of those same groups also have projects that would benefit greatly from some donated time, knowledge and sweat. And if you’re looking to understand what the holidays are really about, a humble donation of whatever resource you can spare given directly to your community is a a great way of experiencing it first hand.
Hence, today’s Big Idea: Let’s support local non-profits and charities this holiday season. What I’m looking for here are ideas on mostly local, preferably grassroots organizations, charities and non-profits that seek to directly impact the lives of people in Spartanburg.
Because I don’t want to play favorites here, I’m not going to name any specific charity, non-profit or community organization for anyone to donate to. I’m also not the most informed person on the subject — I have a very basic knowledge about the groups in town — and as a result, I’m not comfortable endorsing any of them.
But you can! After all, many of you who are regular readers of the Spark are already involved in various groups that exactly fit the above descriptions, and are also aware of the needs of those groups.
What I’d like to see in the comments are ideas about what locally aimed groups and projects you’d recommend other Spark readers contribute to. Feel free to spell out exact needs. If you work for one of these charities, feel free to openly advocate for them on this post.
The other angle element here is that I’m going to ask all of you to donate something directly to the community this year. I’m not talking about money (although I’m sure that would be welcome too), but rather rather time. Volunteering is often undervalued in our cash-obsessed society, but I personally think it’s more meaningful for all involved to show up and help someone than it is to write them a check.
Which brings me to my part. As many of you know, I’m greatly reluctant to ask anyone out there to do anything I wouldn’t at least attempt to do on my own. So here’s my personal offer: In 2010, I’ll donate one 8-hour day of my time to all locally relevant non-profits, charities and community groups in the thread provided at least one person officially representing the group make a post explaining who the group is and what they do for people in Spartanburg. I’m certainly not asking anyone else to do the same, but hopefully I’ll be able to inspire a few people to do the same sort of thing as their schedule allows.
For what it’s worth, I’m a good catch as volunteers go. I’m reasonably healthy, I’m not squeemish around sick or dying people, I’m no stranger to actual poverty (as in third-world poverty), I speak just a touch of Spanish (as in, I can generally order food in Spanish if I have to), I know how to use a hammer, I’m not afraid of getting sweaty, I’ve done plenty of envelope stuffing, I have oodles of middling office and computer skills, I’ve written thousands of press releases and I even know how to get a website up and running. Of course, I’m not religious, so don’t expect me to pray with you, but other than that I’m willing to do as asked. (Interested parties should also know that I completely reserve the right to use these volunteer experiences in future posts for the Spark, although I’ll gladly respect confidentiality where needed.)
OK, we have a big topic to start on, so let’s hear some big ideas!
Steve Shanafelt
OK, Steve, here’s my two favorites:
(Full Disclosure: I sit on the board of each.)
Madison’s House:
a fledging NPO already within the Park Hills Elementary School but working on a stand alone facility for further educational and community outreach. MH has volunteers helping teachers tutor, offers required uniforms to families at a reduced rate, and does much more. The needs are great and of a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. One great need right now is building the website, as you will see at http://www.madisonshouse.org
Upstate Pride SC
http://www.upstatepridesc.org
Mission Statement:
Upstate Pride SC strives to empower the LGBTIQ community and their straight allies to achieve civil equality and promote social awareness through education, advocacy, and social networking.
Right now, the biggest need is funds. This is our first year as a NPO as last year was a grassroots effort of citizens as an offshoot of a group at the UU congregation. This year we are almost finished with of 501c3 status requirements. We are negotiating with various venues for festival space, planning our parade/march route, networking, fundraising, etc. We welcome the help of all our friends: GLTBIQ *and* straight allies!
I’ll gladly donate a day to helping Madison House build a better website, and training someone on staff to update and maintain it. Just tell me who to talk to.
As far as Upstate Pride goes, I’m more than willing to help with anything I can. If there’s not an immediate means of doing so, allow me to present this idea: If Upstate Pride wants to organize their members to donate time to some other local nonprofit with a need, I’ll gladly go as part of their volunteer team. Also, on an unrelated note, I’ll be glad to give Upstate Pride a free banner ad if someone else will make it. (See the free ad rules in the navigation for design specs.)
I believe you have my personal contact information from other sources. I also have a dedicated email on the pride contact page. Feel free to contact me directly at your convenience and I’ll hook you up!
For Madison’s House, I think the best idea would be to arrange a meeting with you, the director, and me to see what all she feels is necessary for the website or if she’d prefer some other use for your valuable time!
For Pride, the field is wide open. I can direct you to a board member for your time offer based on your interest: PR, fundraising, etc.
And, I will get with our PR chair today about building that banner ad!
I, like you, have more time than money, which is why my giving is primarily sweat equity rather than financial support. Both are important and valued by NPOs!
Thanks for posting this BIG IDEA! I hope it lights a few fires out there.
Thanks Steve! As a PR Chair for UP… thanks for the banner ad and also for volunteering to volunteer with us! We have recently been discussing how vital it is to do something that makes a difference in the Upstate Community. When I get together our first group outing (probably in January… we adopted a family for December) I will let you know when and where! And then I will look forward to meeting the guy whose posts I love reading!
I’m not sure I live up to the hype, but I’m happy to help. My e-mail address is (in not SPAM-magnet form) publisher at spartanburgspark.com
The Middle Tyger Community Center in Lyman does incredible things for this community. Their mission is: “In the spirit of the Middle Tyger Area’s desire to create healthy families, we seek to encourage and assist all citizens to develop solutions to the problems identified in our community and foster collaboration among agencies, people who want to help, and those who need help.”
They have adult education programs, provide psychological counseling for both children and parents, have a wonderful childcare program, help people pay utility bills, provide diapers and food, the list goes on and on. The Center is a truly incredible place. Please contact Wanda Fowler at 864-439-7760 if you are able to donate time, money or items. Go to this link to see their needs:
http://www.spart5.k12.sc.us/mtcc/Support.htm
There are so many amazing nonprofits in Spartanburg, it is hard to determine who needs support most. MTCC is truly an unsung hero in Spartanburg County. (disclosure: I work for the Mary Black Foundation, and MTCC is one of our grantees)
Excellent idea Steve!
If anyone’s interested, I’ll second Steve’s offer. So now you get two of the Spark’s staff for the incredibly low price of one.
Matching non-funds! Very fitting for the Spark, if I may say so.
Very cool – this matching non-funds – very cool, indeed!
Kudos!
I’ll be matching as well, I am not sure if I can devote 8 hours, but I know I can do some. If I could only quit my day job…and write and help all day long…
I guess that makes me number 4, I’ll give some time this year.
Cate, the new website for Middle Tyger is http://www.middletyger.org
I worked there for a year through Americorps and it changed my life.
The Colors program at SAM always need volunteers. We provide a free art studio for 6-18 year olds that come from low-income families. They get instruction from professional artists and use professional-grade materials. This is a great program because it provides a safe, caring environment for children after-school who otherwise might participate in potentially dangerous activities. I fact, we’re hanging artwork Monday morning for our exhibit at Hub-Bub next week!
I can think of a bunch of non-profits that could benefit from our time and energy. But I like Steve’s idea. I want to put my energy into supporting worthwhile causes. I too can write press releases or just give kudos to some of the wonderful non-profits out there and there are many. I am sure there is more that I can do on top of the time I am already spending on an existing group. A short list of great agencies out there are
Piedmont Blood Center..www.piedmontbloodcenter.com it is time for me to donate again. Think I’ve reached gallon two in my lifetime by now
Mobile Meals…http://www.mobile-meals.org/ supplies a meal for shut ins and seniors
Rape Crises Coalition/Safe homes..http://www.shrcc.org/ supplies counseling, housing, legal assistance, and more to women and children who are victims of rape or domestic abuse.
Christmas in Action http://christmasinactionspartanburg.org/ a national agency that works locally to do home repairs to home owner in need, usually disabled or elderly.
All of these agencies of course work year round, but a boost this time of year doesn’t hurt.
Steve, this is the best Big Idea you’ve ever had! Naturaly, I was going to mention Upstate Pride, and also Madison’s House, but p303 saved me the trouble. =)
Another organization I’m particularly fond of is the Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home in Cedar Springs. Aside from monetary contributions, they need mentors and tutors, help with landscaping (although probably not so much at the moment this time of year and after the landscaping job I did with them not too long ago), and just generally someone to pay attention to and support the girls. Also, Sylvie and I are soon going to be working on an environmentalist blog project that, if approved by the Girls’ Home, will help to teach the girls about teamwork, self-esteem, basic web building skills, and respect for the environment. From what I understand, the Home requires that all their volunteers (such as mentors and tutors, at least) be female and pass a background check. I’m sure they have plenty of ways men can help out too, though.
I definitely want to help out with some other organizations as well. Unfortunately, I don’t have the cash to spare at the moment and my time is pretty strained as well. However, I’m pretty handy with art (mixed media but also logos and other graphic design), horticulture, and event planning. Please let me know if any of this jumps out at anyone for anything I can help with!
Woo! This is so fantastic. I work for an organization that does some great things:
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg is a nonprofit agency working with children who are victims of sexual and/or severe physical abuse in Cherokee, Union, and Spartanburg counties. Our mission is to bring healing and give voice to these abused children through assessment, treatment, education, and community partnerships.
Last year we saw 577 children walk through our doors, all in need of healing and hope. A third of those children were under the age of six.
We provide forensic assessments, on-site medical exams, therapy for the children and the non-offending parents, and partnerships with many community agencies to better serve these families in need. We depend on the help of generous donations and volunteer work to help these children heal.
I wrote about your agency and related non-profits that deal with kids a few months ago. You guys do some amazing things for kids. I was highly impressed what I learned in my research. Hopefully we can find some ways to provide some open doors towards more resources for you guys.
CAC is an amazing organization. I’m so glad someone active there has posted! I worked behind the scenes at CAC a few years ago, not the front lines like the counselors and forensic assessors – heroes one and all!
http://cacsp.org/volunteer.htm
Thought I’d go ahead and post a link to the CACSP website. Their volunteer needs are simple but quite important.
Thanks so much, Sylvie and Phyllis! Your support is what keeps us moving forward and being able to heal more children every year.
Hello, I believe this is a blessing that couldn’t have come at a better time. I am starting a foundation for families who have lost infant children due to miscarriage, stillborn, prenatal, perinatal, postneonatal and SIDS to deal with their loss and grief.
To step back and explain a little history I was pregnant with my 3rd child in May 2005, and unexpectedly at my 37 weeks appointment I found out that they couldn’t find a heartbeat. The unbelievable hardship for my family and I was a constant source of sorrow and grief. The hospital and doctors were medically there, but emotionally they handed me a book and said “We’re very sorry for your loss”. There wasn’t much comfort in that, besides the fact that there are things as parents we could do, didn’t know and weren’t informed, NOT that I blame the staff but the memories that we were to get with her were so short, you have only a short time to make informed decisions and reading a book didn’t fall into that. IF my family and friends hadn’t stepped up, I think my immediate family would have fallen apart. Not everyone has access to that. Not only the emotional support but the financial support of a burial, headstone and dealing with the aftermath of what next? You cannot get life insurance on a child that never took a breathe and then you have to pay for something that you never imagine would happen to you. There is one meeting a month at a local hospital that happens at the hospital, I didn’t want to go back and quite sure neither do most parents. I was even told they don’t have many people show up–I just feel like their needs to be a different approach.
I have support within the community once my 501 c 3 is established, which I am waiting on the IRS to kindly send me the piece of paper to say YES I AM. I am a public charity with South Carolina….yeaa.
But my problem is I need help with the website. When I first had someone help me, I thought it looked nice but actually working on becoming a non profit, I think I was awakened to some realization that it’s NOT what I like but what would be appealing to people who lost a child and who like me -4 1/2 years ago- are just dealing with this. I understand websites, the backdoor and such, I just need someone who can help with redesigning it, less dreary. I have a logo that I designed–I would love to incorporate it too.
The other thing is a few pamphlet designs with logo incorporation–the reason I say a few is because I need:
1)for obviously the families to open the door of help from us,
2)for hospital staff and medical community to explain what we do
3)one possibly for fire rescue, EMTS and funeral homes.
Again this is open for discussion and whatever anyone is willing to help me with is awesome. This has been a year in the making and getting it ready for the whole deal to process through is scary because I have talked to so many people who have told me, there is such a need for this. I didn’t really understand until sitting and waiting on my mom at the outpatient center and a lady who was 70 years old, had tears in her eyes and told me her story of what happened with her child 40 years prior.
Kristen, that’s a wonderful, wonderful idea. Good luck! It’s really busy at the Center for me right now, but I’m looking over your needs and I’m hoping to be able to help out with SOMEthing soon! I’ll keep you posted.
post your website, Kirstin, and maybe someone can suggest some design ideas. Of course hopefully this will help lead people to your website. It’s part of what we want to do here, to expand information about our community.
Mary–thank you so much. I will keep looking.
Sylvie–my website is http://www.littlemiraclesfoundation.org
I have some ideas, I understand websites–I don’t know if I am brain dead that I just feel a little overwhelmed right now. But there is so much to do and I feel like it’s needed so much.