Give Thanks by Giving Back: Start Your Legacy of Caring Today

by Haley Armand Tarassiewicz

Does giving really make you happy? A series of studies conducted by the Harvard Business School in 2008 found that neurons in the portion of the brain associated with a sense of satisfaction start firing when a person chooses to donate their time, talent and treasure—reinforcing the adage “to give is to receive.” With the holiday season upon us, it is the perfect time to evaluate what each of us are doing to help make our community a better place.

The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana was established in 2000 to promote philanthropic activities and work to connect donors, philanthropic organizations, foundations and corporations to community priorities that will enhance the quality of family and community life for generations to come. Making a difference gives people a sense of pride and identity, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life beyond themselves. Putting energy into something bigger than us expands our perspective on community needs and fosters accountability.

Giving is an act of kindness that is just as beneficial for the recipient as it is for the donor; it empowers those in need and helps an organization’s mission flourish. Every individual, family, business and organization has a passion that relates to a mission, a responsibility to act and the power to create a better tomorrow. With the gift of an endowment to the Family Foundation you can support today’s abused and neglected children, improve the area’s quality of life, encourage positive youth development and more.

Endowments may be made anonymously and may be unrestricted or restricted to benefit a division of Family & Youth, a family service organization established in 1970 to provide affordable and professional support through programs and services dedicated to advocacy, counseling and education for the people of Southwest Louisiana and in communities they are called to serve.

A common goal of philanthropic organizations is the empowerment of individuals and groups to raise their voices and to become active players in efforts to solve problems within their own communities.

Philanthropy from within a community can come in any one or more of the following forms:

Time devoted to community needs and improvement

Thoughts, ideas, knowledge and experience

Monetary contributions

In-kind contributions, i.e. tools, equipment, venues, food and beverages, etc.

Pro-bono services

Community philanthropy is a critical ingredient to long-term development and change efforts in all seasons—steady, responsive, recovery, growth. This is your community. Help build it. Help strengthen it. Start your legacy of caring today with an endowment to the Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.

For more information on how to make an impact or to get involved, call 337-436-9533 or visit www.fyca.org.