Page 13 - KW LUXURY MAGAZINE

Why We Give
By Marlene Ridgway
You may nd yourself leaning towards the “donate now” button or picking up a few extra canned goods for your local food drive and wonder what is it exactly that compels us to help others, even in times of hardship? The desire to give back is deeply rooted in our instincts and has become a continuous component of our traditions, and for some, a part of their everyday lives.
Those who volunteer their time and resources — whether it’s a family that participates in an annual Breast Cancer Walk or a student who spends the weekend walking dogs at a local shelter — agree that there are endless reasons to give back. When asked what project or efforts stood out in his mind over the past year, Brad Kieserman, vice president of operations and logistics at The American Red Cross, remarked that there were just too many from which to choose.
“We’re living in a time, this year in particular, where Americans have been faced with a historic number of disasters, so many that some
“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” — H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Otto the cat once weighed as much as 36 pounds, but since being adopted in May 2012, he is becoming increasingly healthier.
Spayathon for Puerto Rico has helped battle the growing animal welfare crisis.
major ones were dwarfed in the media,” explains Kieserman, who notes that The American Red Cross steps in to help with everything from house res to psychological rst aid, especially in these areas that are experiencing reoccurring loss.
In a world of technology, disasters around the world are brought right to the palms of
our hands. We are getting a glimpse into the many hardships around the world, which has sparked an increased interest in giving back.
In 2018, Americans made over $427 billion
in charitable donations and 70 percent of that came from individuals. Thirty percent of the adult population in America volunteer their time to make a difference, according to Charitable Giving Statistics by National Philanthropic Trust. Whether it be donating blood, organizing a clothing drive, or writing a check, giving back creates a sense of community, strengthens our ability to empathize, and triggers the emotional portion of the brain to give us a sense of purpose outside of ourselves.
Kitty Block, the CEO/president of The Humane Society in the United States and the
CEO of The Humane Society International, explains that giving back “helps shape who we are and how we view ourselves, and how we view the world. We are all busy, but there is a part of the soul that needs to be fed. It’s really about yourself and what you can bring to the table.” Most people volunteer their time or donate their resources due to the warm glow effect or the emotional reward of giving to others. This is the personal satisfaction of having “done the right thing.”
But the desire to help goes far beyond surface feelings. Jonathan Reckford, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, notes that “giving back is a terri c source of instant grati cation. When people volunteer with an organization that they are passionate about, they get the opportunity to help change someone’s life.” Kieserman similarly says, “People wake up and they realize that they want to do something meaningful. They look back on their lives
and they want to do something that they’re passionate about.”
Passion is what spurs action during times of reoccurring loss and a record number of disasters.
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PHOTO OPPOSITE PAGE BY ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / CECILIE_ARCURS PHOTO BY MARK MAKELA FOR THE HSUS
PHOTO BY MEREDITH LEE FOR THE HSUS