The holiday season places a spotlight on charitable giving. For example, the Salvation Army’s familiar red kettles have made their annual appearance at store entrances and busy cashiers are more apt to ask their gentle, “Would you like to donate a dollar to…?”
It turns out that whether you give a gift to someone, contribute to a kettle, or answer yes to a cashier, the simple act of giving increases one’s happiness and health.
Of course, giving needn’t be about buying gifts or giving money. The same happiness and health benefits can be had by volunteering your time, say at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. In fact research shows health and happiness increases further when there is a social connection present in the giving.
The conclusion of the research is that donors feel happiest when they give to a charity via a friend, relative or when the giving involves some social connection rather than simply making an anonymous donation to a worthy cause.
This “social connection” kind of giving is a big part of the college experience and that’s certainly the case at the University of Maine at Augusta. Each year, many UMA students find ways to help communities and organizations by volunteering their time and talents. Looking for some giving ideas? Perhaps some that provide a social connection?
Here are just a few of many examples from UMA students that just might help:
• Use your knowledge and expertise to help. The UMA Architecture program students use skills and knowledge gained in class to collaborate with communities on “real world” design projects. A recent collaboration with Waterville’s Mid Maine Homeless Shelter saw students design a tiny house community as a potential solution to homelessness
• Leverage your social network to have your friends contribute close at hand items to make a difference. UMA student clubs hold a food drive that sees substantial donations made to local community organizations
• Make your vacation matter. UMA students travel to out of state “Alternative Spring Break” sites where they make their Spring break week matter by volunteering their time conducting hands-on community service. Perhaps you can add meaning to your next week long vacation by donating an hour at say a food bank, or an animal shelter.
• Take a walk for a good cause. UMA Students come together to take part in the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter’s “Hike for the Homeless.” That’s just one of many worthy charitable walks that are available in Maine throughout the year.
• Rally your team at work to give. UMA Athletic teams hold a drive to gather stuffed plush animals for children at Eastern Maine Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital. Setting up a charitable drive is easy and great way to build community at work.
• Consider going global with your giving. UMA biology program students travel to Haiti each year to volunteer a week of their time at a health clinic. Next time you plan an international trip why not make part or all of the trip a life changing adventure in giving? There are numerous companies that specialize in volunteer abroad opportunities. For example Global Vision International offers 150 “volunteer abroad” projects in 25 countries.
• Work the dirt for a good cause. UMA Students give time and talent to UMA’s community garden, which is tended by students, staff, faculty and community members. The crops get donated to the Augusta Food Bank. You could donate your surplus garden veggies to a foodbank, or pitch in at a community garden close to you.
UMA students seek out these kinds of community engagement because they want to help others by giving back. Of course along the way they strengthen their social connections with UMA peers and the communities they contribute to. It’s great to know they also gain in happiness and health too!
It’s important to note there is another positive and influential dimension to our giving that lies just beyond the giver’s view. Studies show that when one person behaves generously, it inspires observers to behave generously later. The charitable ripple effect that comes from giving can positively influence dozens or even hundreds of people, many of whom the original giver will have never met.
So whether you buy gifts, volunteer your time, or donate money to charity this holiday season, know that your giving is multi-dimensional. Your giving may help you build stronger social connections and even jump-start a surge of generosity throughout your community.
And don’t be surprised if you find yourself feeling happier and healthier too!
John McLaughlin graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta in 2012. He now serves as the associate director of enrollment services and recruiting, where he enjoys engaging his belief in the power of education at any age, particularly through helping adult learners successfully resume their academic journey.
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