Be More Human This Holiday Season: 3 Ways to Give Back

‘Tis the season to cuddle up by the fireplace with a cup of warm apple cider, listen to holiday tunes and spend time with loved ones. It’s the time of the year where we come together and are reminded of all the qualities that make us human: compassion, generosity, kindness and so much more.

As the holiday hoopla comes around with the mile-long list of gifts to buy and fancy dinners to host, let’s not forget the spirit of the season: to celebrate our blessings and spread the holiday cheer. That’s why at WorkForce Software, we know it’s important for us to give back to our community. Studies show that giving back not only helps our community but also makes us feel great. To paraphrase one of the Buddha’s most famous quotes, happiness is like a candle – one flame can light up a stadium and it does not diminish by being shared. Whether you’re a corporation or an individual, here are 3 ways you can light up our community this holiday season!

1. Think outside of the box.

When we talk about corporate responsibility, we think about huge companies who partner with equally huge nonprofits and it can be intimidating. However, there are many creative ways to make an impact beyond just giant grants. At WorkForce Software, we connect with inner city schools to provide mentorship opportunities with students to help their careers. We integrate our holiday cards into our CSR efforts by asking our customers to select a charity and we will donate on their behalf. These initiatives allow us to provide financial help but also allow our employees to contribute and get involved on an individual level. Let your creative juices flow and use your imagination – just because someone hasn’t done it, doesn’t mean you can’t be the first.

2. It’s in the little things.

As the Dalai Lama says, if you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in your room. Don’t be discouraged if you feel like you’re just one person and can’t make an impact—every effort matters. We’ve seen it happen at our events—instead of giving out branded keychains or merchandise at conferences, we pledged to donate $5 per person who stopped by our booth. Not only did we end up earning enough to donate two scholarships to inner city high schools, we even got some of our customers to contribute to our efforts. Small changes can really add up to make a positive impact. Stay inspired and remember that a journey of a thousand miles began with a single step!

3. Just get out there and do it!

There will never be the “perfect” time or opportunity to go out and give back to the community. Sometimes, we just have to buckle up and get out there! There are a million ways to get involved, whether it’s just serving warm meals at your local soup kitchen or adopting a child overseas. With information at our fingertips, lack of knowledge is no longer a valid excuse. Get online, seek out the causes that matter to you and see how you can get involved. For us, it’s our youth and preparing our future generation so that they are as equipped as possible to conquer the world!

We hope that we’ve empowered you to be more human this holiday season. We’d love to know how you make a difference in your community. Share with us on Twitter @WorkForceSW.