Need more glass half-full folks
By John Mohan

Our receptionist Diane passed a note on to me. A gentleman had called, wondering about donating some household items to our organization. He was cleaning out his garage and basement and planned to take the unwanted articles to the dump but thought he would call us first.

Every charity has both good and unpleasant donation stories. Corinne Fehilly directs Siloam's clothing bank program, including the handling of donated items. She comments that while people have different capacities to give, you can tell a lot about a person just by how they give. Some send unwashed, damaged articles while others send their donated wardrobes freshly dry cleaned.

There are nearly 4,600 registered charities in Manitoba, ranging from houses of worship to educational institutions to humanitarian agencies. Though they are of varying sizes and with different mandates, all are dependent on the generosity of Manitobans. Time and time again, Manitoba ranks as Canada's most giving province. The 2007 Generosity Index released by The Fraser Institute disclosed that again last year our province led all others with 28.4% of tax filers giving to at least one charity.

Generosity is expressed in different forms, but the most common are the donations of time and energy (volunteerism), finances and in-kind gifts. The truly generous are people who are motivated by a sense of thankfulness for what they have while being acutely aware of what others don't have. They are inherently positive people, having an "Abundance Mentality" - meaning the glass is always at least half full, never half empty. But the acts of kindness, no matter what form they take, go far beyond just helping the charitable organization. There are at least three side benefits:

Behind every charity is a cause or a need, an effort to make life better. From curing a disease to sheltering an abandoned animal to protecting the environment. From helping a family struggling to buy groceries and pay rent, to offering guidance to a troubled youth, to helping a homeless person get off the streets. Charities fill the gaps that governments and tax dollars can't. When a charity is supported, someone--or something--is better off.

Being charitable brings its own rewards to the generous. Whenever a donor or volunteer is thanked for their generous contribution, they often respond that it was their pleasure and that it made them feel good. Some are more pointed: "I thought I was coming here to help needy people, but they are the ones who gave to me." Studies confirm what volunteers and philanthropists know: energy and self-esteem increase, which can strengthen the immune system.

Some are even more strategic in their sharing. Some of the hundreds that give their time to Siloam Mission each month testify that whenever they sense emotional depression or struggle with a personal addiction, they are rejuvenated and strengthened after giving some volunteer time. Others deal with their own financial needs by helping someone even needier because somehow they're looked after in the process.

The more people actively involved in acts of generosity, the better the character of our entire community. People who graciously share what they have to help others in need make us all better. Would you rather have a neighbour with a Corvette or a snow blower?

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.