Giving Back
Why is giving so important to me?
If you ask any of the world's top mentors, teachers, and life coaches, they will all say that giving back and being of service is one of the quickest ways to happiness and a life of meaning. I have found this to be very true in my own life. Like most people, I have had my share of ups and downs. Helping others has been the best antidote to almost any problem I have ever encountered.
There is nothing that brings me more joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment than being generous with my time, energy and money. In addition to personally giving my time to help people, I also donate a portion of my gross commissions to local charities and other organizations that have had an impact on either me or the people in my life. I also love that my work as a real estate broker affords me the opportunity to help people on a day to day basis make the best possible decisions for their own unique situations.
Bags of Love
Bags of Love is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides necessities and comfort items to children who are in crisis. A Bag of Love provides a sense of security and hope to a child who has been removed from their normal life. The child now has something that is their very own to hang onto as a “security blanket,” while simultaneously providing age-appropriate necessities such as clothing, toiletries, and toys. Their goal is to provide a ray of hope for each child during this time of crisis.
Food for Lane County
FOOD For Lane County was founded in 1984 and dedicated to reducing hunger by engaging our community to create access to food. They accomplish this by soliciting, collecting, rescuing, growing, preparing and packaging food for distribution through a network of agencies and programs. These programs include emergency food boxes, shelters, meal sites, rehabilitation facilities, nutrition education, gleaning and community gardens. They serve a diverse population of people living on limited incomes including children, families, seniors and single adults.
Veteran Housing Project
The Veterans’ Housing Project is a collaborative effort of private, public and nonprofit organizations to provide safe and affordable housing to assist military men and women transition easily back into the community upon returning from deployment. They offer much-needed affordable rental housing for military veterans and their families who are transitioning back to civilian life. And they connect veterans' families with appropriate social service networks to strengthen their transition to civilian life.
Greenhill Humane Society
Greenhill Humane Society has been caring for animals in Lane County since 1944. We operate the only animal shelter within the Eugene/Springfield area. Our programs include animal adoptions; reuniting lost animals with their families; disaster response; crisis care boarding in situations of domestic violence, medical emergencies, and other crisis situations; spay/neuter for free roaming, un-owned community cats; a pet pantry; on-site volunteer opportunities; foster care and humane education.
Miscellaneous Giving
I have had the opportunity to volunteer at many great local organizations over the years. I volunteered as a crisis counselor at White Bird Clinic and as a resident support person at a transitional housing facility back in the '90's. I spent a lot of time volunteering in the library and in the classroom at Adams Elementary School. And I had the pleasure of teaching an ongoing 1st time home buyers class at NEDCO for several years.
In addition, I have financially supported many other worthy causes like Looking Glass, Ophelia's Place, ARC of Lane County, Eugene Symphony, Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, NAACP Educational Fund, St. Vincent De Paul, Churchill High School Band, March of Dimes, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Sheltercare of Lane County, Ronald McDonald House, Veneta Food Bank, various dog rescues, and many others. It is truly my pleasure to give back to this awesome community that we are lucky enough to live in!
