Give, Especially When You Haven’t Got

Architect Stephen Olson spends most of his 60-hour work weeks producing the drawings for the new Santa Monica police station. It’s work that is rewarding aesthetically and financially. To feed his spirit, however, he volunteers his expertise for the building addition at the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Youth and Community Center, which serves a membership of 4,000 at-risk kids.

Unfortunately, people such as Olson have become an exception in the incredibly busy Southern California marketplace. Most professionals are giving their all to their careers, creating jobs and giving us one of the healthiest economies we have seen in years.

This prosperity is crowding stores and clogging access to e-commerce sites on the World Wide Web. Spending is up this Christmas season, and for good reason: According to recent statistics, 95% of Californians are gainfully employed.

Evidence of our robust economy is everywhere you look this holiday season--except in the Salvation Army’s Christmas kettles. This year, many people who would have otherwise been employed as bell ringers at our Christmas kettles have found other work. Volunteer bell ringers, for the most part, are a thing of the past.

In any other year, fewer kettles would translate into lower Christmas income. The recent rise in prosperity, however, should more than offset the challenge of fewer kettles on the street, especially during the holiday season when we feel our most benevolent, right? Sadly, that thought would be wrong.

I would love to be able to say that economic indicators and charitable giving are running parallel, but a recent Field Research Corp. study commissioned by the California Community Foundation revealed a 10% decrease this year in charitable giving among respondents in Los Angeles County.

I believe that at the core of each one of us, we know that we should help people for whom life is a struggle. But how many times have you heard someone say, “When I’m making more money, I’ll start giving to charity?” Or, “When I have more time, I’ll get involved with an organization that meets a human need.” Those are words I hear constantly.

What are you waiting for? Helping others in need or who are less fortunate is a mark of good character. And good character is proved by our actions, not our intentions.

Good giving habits can and should be cultivated even when you believe you have little to give. A single mother of two young children who works for me once said that even when she has little, she gives because it makes her feel rich. She needs what happens to her when she gives. We all do.

Why wait until the economic news gets even better to start your career in philanthropy? Pick an organization now that is helping to solve a societal problem that concerns you.

Economic news may continue to be good. Right now the financial picture for many individuals looks bright. But it’s not bright for everyone. Please, make it a habit to care about others no matter what your own financial condition may be. After all, what you give says a lot about you.