All Volunteerism Articles

Patricia Murray, of Durham, N.C., couldn't find a job. But she didn't sit at home, waiting for a work offer to arrive by mail or phone. Instead, Murray started volunteering. "When a new senior center was built downtown, some people complained that there weren't enough activities," Murray says. "So I started the Swingin' Seniors Club. I provide the music, and (the) seniors Read more...

I have been talking to people throughout the U.S. and around the world and I am asked the same question: "What should I do to help make the world a better place? There seem to be so many problems we face, I don't know what I should do." I like to quote Howard Thurman. He was Dean of Theology and the chapels at Howard and Boston universities for more than two decades, wrote 20 books, and Read more...

See also: change, making a difference, passion, volunteerism

Eight years ago, when George Bush ascended to the Presidency of the United States (courtesy of the Supreme Court), I had hope. Hope that the Karl Rove win-at-all-costs strategy and the Dick Cheney profit-from-war mentality would be exposed and discredited in just one term (and, I thought, how much damage could any administration inflict in just four years). I had hope that we would return to Read more...

Dear Tax Talk, Oh, I am too nervous to try to take advantage of the IRS; honestly they scare the hell out of me, but your last answer, regarding donating blood and deducting mileage to get there, made me roll up my hands and chuckle with an evil grin. Is there a written policy that says you would need to go to the "nearest" blood bank, or would San Diego to Seattle at 14 cents a Read more...

You'd love to have a career pursuing your passion, for example, being an artist, athlete, musician or writer. Yes, if you're very talented and driven it's probably worth going for. But my rule of thumb is: If after a year of trying to get paid for your passion it's not earning you enough to pay the rent, it's time to look for a day job. Don't worry. You can probably achieve your dream Read more...

Dear Tax Talk, Are blood donations tax-deductible for volunteer donors? -- Ann Dear Ann, While many people are fond of saying that the IRS is sucking the blood out of them, in reality the IRS prefers cash. The same is true for charitable contributions: Cash talks, blood doesn't. Blood isn't the same as a bag of clothes you give to the Salvation Army. With clothes, you have Read more...

You can enjoy a unique style of foreign travel inexpensively -- or at least get a hefty tax break -- if you're willing to volunteer your time, your home or your knowledge. With the lowered value of the dollar, many would-be international travelers are looking for ways to stretch their budgets. Discount hotels and cheap restaurants are typical places to save, but you can save big bucks and Read more...

Doing good could catch you a break on your student loan payments. Recent college grads can cancel part or all of their federal education debt by working in public service jobs -- lower-paying professional jobs that serve low-income communities -- or by volunteering. Loan forgiveness programs are available to everyone from teachers to nurses to young doctors and lawyers to Peace Corps Read more...

Dear Dr. Don, I am 38 years old and joining the Peace Corps. I want to make sure I take enough precautions to preserve my credit rating and retirement account during the 27 months that I won't draw a salary. I don't plan to return to the economically depressed state where I live and I won't have a job when I exit the Corps. My house, with a current loan balance of $82,000, will be Read more...

Meet Rachel -- if you can catch up with her. She may be at the zoo, or she may be at the Salvation Army, working on a list of holiday gifts for children in need. Wherever you find her, if you're a new retiree considering volunteering in your life after work, you would do well to heed her. A ZooPride volunteer since the group's inception in 1975, Rachel Jones retired on June 20, 2003, Read more...

I often marvel at the way computers have further complicated our lives and added to society's excessive commercialism. But recently I came across a computer-driven concept that accomplishes just the opposite effect. It's called Virtual Volunteering, and it's an example of what we can achieve when we use modern technology for the betterment of our community. I first heard of the concept from Read more...