Being a “do-gooder” is in my nature. I grew up packing up my old clothes and toys and dropping them off at local charities. My parents practiced gratitude and instilled that virtue in all their children. Due to my strong desire to try to make the world a better place, I focused on working for an organization that upheld this same value. Cloud for Good far exceeds what I thought I would find in a socially conscious organization. Not only are they a Certified B Corp, they have a Volunteer Time Off Policy (which you can read about here)! I am able to do well, while doing good.
Donating to a charity is a great way to ensure that their mission is accomplished, but there is something so much more rewarding about being able to volunteer your time, and sometimes sweat, to a cause that is near and dear to your heart. As our lives become increasingly busier as we take on careers, family and hobbies, it can be hard to find a time that works for you and an organization to volunteer your time. Depending on the areas that your chosen organization serves, weekends may not be an available option. Lucky for me, Cloud For Good recognizes this and allows time off from work for employees to volunteer in their communities.
On a typical Wednesday morning, the week before the start of another new school year, I walked into Cradles to Crayons to donate my time by helping children in need in the Greater Boston area. I spent my day in The Giving Factory, sorting through donated clothing items and selecting the highest quality items to pass on to those in need. During my shifts I experienced the good fortune of having some young volunteer helpers who happened to be style mavens help me find the best possible first day of school outfits for hundreds of school aged children. It was refreshing to see the philanthropic mentality being passed on through the groups of families I volunteered with that day.
What I love most about volunteering is the energizing feeling it leaves me with when the day is coming to an end. I feel connected with my community and my inner need to give back within my community. Fostering these positive experiences is important for a happy and healthy life. I’m grateful to be a part of an organization that not only helps nonprofits daily by providing them with super awesome technology expertise, but also values the importance of some good old-fashioned, “get your hands dirty” volunteering. Every day I’m excited to get to work because I love what I do, not to mention my incredible co-workers and the collaboration that exists among my team members. However, after a day of volunteering, I found that I was even more inspired to be the best in both my professional and personal lives.
My advice to you: get out there and earn your karma points by volunteering for a local nonprofit organization! Not only will you help others, you’ll be helping yourself by satisfying your own inner “do-gooder” while riding an inspiring high for weeks and months to come.
Check out some other great reads from the Cloud For Good Blog:
- Volunteer Management in Salesforce
- Apps for Good Webinar Series: Volunteers for Salesforce
- Cloud for Good Unveils its Corporate Social Responsibility Program
