Once you’ve set aside your money for spending and saving, there may be a little left over.
You might like to think about who that money could benefit, and maybe other ways you could give something back.
As you get older, you’re likely to develop interests that could help you choose an organisation or a cause you can share some of your money with.
Why Is It Important to Give To Charity?
It's important to remember that everyone faces challenges at different times in their lives. At any given moment, there are people in the world who are worse off than you.
Sometimes, it's not possible for people to get the support they need from their families or the government, and so they rely on the help of charity to get them through.
Giving to charity when we're able has a range of benefits.
Firstly, the sense of positivity and wholesomeness you get when you give to charity is hard to beat. Giving away money or possessions that you could have used yourself, for the benefit of others less fortunate gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Secondly, giving to charity supports the growth and health of the community around you. This is because more of the community members are able to get what they need, and are therefore happier.
Also, giving to charity can make you a positive role model in the eyes of your peers.
Five Reasons to Give to Charity
- Giving to charity makes you feel good
- Giving to charity strengthens your personal values
- Being charitable fosters a sense of generosity
- Giving to charity strengthens your community
- Giving to charity sets a positive example for others.
Giving to Animal Charities
If you love animals, you could give some money to a local wildlife rescue service or animal shelter.
Giving to Medical and Mental Health Research
If you’re interested in health and fitness, you could direct your donations towards medical research or a local sporting group.
Showing Random Acts of Kindness
Not all things require money, sometimes random acts of kindness allows you to show your support for your neighbours.
These include donating clothes to charity bins, offer to mow your neighbours lawn.
Other acts of kindness include helping someone carry their groceries or helping an elderly person across the street. Or little acts of kindness such as letting someone before you in line, or standing for someone on a bus.
Organise a Charity Fundraiser
If there is a cause you really care about, your contribution needn’t be limited to donating money to the charity.
Consider organising school fundraising activities like a fun run, spell-a-thon, cake stall or lamington drive so you purchase much needed resources to the organisation or sponsor a player on the team.
Donating Time and Energy
It’s also possible to contribute in other ways, like volunteering your time to a sporting club or making items for a charity to sell to fund their activities or equipment is a positive way to show community support.
Giving back helps you to understand and appreciate what you have, and also provide a sense of satisfaction knowing that your support has made a difference to someone else’s life.
