Why giving is personal to me...

Did you read Lisa Sieren’s blog on ADVOCATE last Wednesday? Not only was there a cool picture of our beautiful state capitol building but I really enjoyed reading her personal reflection on advocacy, remembering where she came from, and connecting it all with the challenges our communities face today.

It got me thinking about my own background and how it relates to giving and what our community is going through in this economy. Lisa is pretty proud of growing up in Ottumwa as I am proud of growing up in Ankeny. I was an extremely fortunate kid. My parents gave me and my siblings lots of love and support. My dad worked hard at a good job that afforded my mom the opportunity to stay home and take care of us kids (which, for the record, she did a bang up job). I received a great education from teachers and coaches that inspired me to set goals and think big. Whenever one of us fell ill or broke a bone we could count on getting immediate care without worrying about what it would cost. [Editor’s note – do you see a pattern of Education, Income, & Health developing here?]

My family and my community were huge factors in my upbringing. They instilled in me a sense of responsibility to give back and a belief that I could make a difference.

This led to my first act of philanthropy: Somewhere around the age of 10 or 12 I received a letter from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The letter told a story of some whales that were in dire need of protection from some company that wanted to do something that would harm their habitat. It went on to say that if I sent in $25 I could become a card carrying WWF member, save whales, and get a canvas tote! I was moved to action. I sat my dad down to plead my case on behalf of the whales and convinced him to write a check so I could mail it in and be one step closer to saving the world.

Since that first charitable act I’ve given many other gifts (with my own money, not my dad’s) and committed many long hours to volunteering on behalf of causes ranging from endangered whales to youth reading programs. Today I see friends and neighbors facing unemployment and lost savings. I read about growing numbers of people having to decide between food, shelter, and medicine. More than ever I am humbled and grateful for my good fortune. More than ever I feel compelled to give back – because I can and because I feel like it is the least I can do to help. Borrowing from Lisa’s blog, my hometown and my upbringing have made the case for giving very personal to me. As Lisa asks you to reflect on how advocacy can be personal to you, I ask that you reflect on how giving can also strike that personal chord.