Passionate Giving

By Lisa Toews-Daugherty

Passionate Giving

I have been getting a lot of political solicitations recently, from inside my voting district as I would expect, but also from other parts of the country.  I know a number of people who have donated to campaigns in other states and even hosted fundraisers for these candidates in their homes.  Don’t worry, this blog isn’t about politics. It’s about passion.  More specifically, it’s about the connection between passion and money.

We are asked to donate money on a regular basis. When I check out at my local grocery store, there’s a screen asking if I want to round up for the Veterans.  At the pet store, they ask if I want to help homeless pets displaced by hurricanes.  Go-fund-me campaigns pop up on Facebook where my friends are raising money for cancer, memorials, birthday tributes, or their favorite charities.  People hold signs at intersections. School kids come to my door.  Letters come in the mail.  They can get rather noisy, all of these requests.

But what breaks through the noise?  What makes a non political person suddenly start donating to political campaigns?   What makes us donate to Veterans, sad puppies, homeless people, research, medical bills, refugees, schools, etc.  It’s our passion for the cause.  Passion that can be influenced by the authenticity of the ask. 

Many of my blogs revolve around charitable giving. I just can’t seem to let it go.  Charity doesn’t happen by accident – a dollar here, a dollar there – that’s mindless giving.  Not passionate giving.  Passionate giving is purposeful.  It’s intentional.  It’s where you find a cause, an issue that moves you in some way, and you engage with it. You put your time and your money behind whatever that cause may be.  You learn to make the sincere ask of others for support.  It doesn’t end with one election, one fundraising goal met, one problem solved.  Passionate giving becomes part of the fabric of who you are.  You build the habit of giving and giving back.  And it’s that approach to our world, our country, and our community that I believe is how each one of us can make a difference.