Like Gandhi Said, Be the Change

In Philanthropy, most of the discussion so far has centered around the moral ambiguity of philanthropy.  It is important to better understand how you as an individual feel about philanthropy, so you can “give better,” in a more effective and rewarding way; but if you enjoyed the Salwen book and like them, you’re itching to do more than muse on the nature of philanthropy for the moment, there are ways—cheap, easy, and yes, even fun ways—to give back.

As college students, we’re often strapped for cash, so the logical choice would be to donate time rather than money.  Getting so caught up in extracurriculars your grades suffer isn’t to be advised, but if you’re spending another hour mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter, how could you be using that time more meaningfully?

Perhaps the most obvious way to donate our time is through volunteer work.  At Binghamton, there are 39 SA-chartered associations dedicated to service and another 17 religious organizations, including the American Red Cross, Hillel, Chabad, Circle K, and many others.  Even if you lack the time or motivation to become a member of another club, you can still participate in the events they sponsor, like a food or blood drive.  Joining a service group or attending its events is a cheap and relatively effortless way of doing and feeling good.

If you’re already in a club you think can make a difference, consider what its members could offer.  A sports team could donate its old equipment to a local youth team or hold a fundraiser, like a charity tournament, to buy new equipment.  Members of an art club can volunteer at an elementary school to help children paint a mural, or musicians or an acting troupe could perform at an assembly.  An academic group, like the Chemistry Club, might offer free tutoring at the high school.

            Want to make a difference without going through the University?  No problem: a quick Google search will reveal a multitude of worthy local organizations needing volunteers, including the ASPCA, Lourdes Hospital, senior citizens’ programs, The Discovery Center museum, the United Way of Broome County, food pantries, and others.

            They say charity begins in the home, and while working in a soup kitchen in the Southern Tier is a lot less glamorous than flying half way around the world to build a school for orphans, every little thing counts.  It’s trite, but it’s also true, and if you volunteer, even just a bit, you’re making the world a better place.  There’s no shame in doing so here in Binghamton instead of a third world country.  Is making a child’s day brighter somehow less good because it’s here and not somewhere else?  When most of us think of “home,” it’s not the city of Vestal.  But this town plays host to us for the better part of a year.  We live here.  We’re an integral part of the community.  We can better this part of the world, so why don’t we?