Philanthropist James Wolfgramm Shares his thoughts on how to Give Back This Year

Charity is an important part of life for most people. It helps us feel good about ourselves, gives us something to do when we're bored, and makes us feel connected to others.

As the New Year approaches, you might feel the sudden desire to give back to your community. While you’re welcome to do this by volunteering your time, donating money, or making donations in someone’s name, there are also less traditional ways to give back this year that won’t take up much of your time but can still make a real difference.

James Wolfgramm knows firsthand what it’s like to be in need, so he gives back through his volunteer work with Meals on Wheels and other local charities to help those in need who are close to them. He always tries to help people as much as possible, even if they don’t know they need it yet. Today James Wolfgramm shares his thoughts on we can give back this year as well and help make the world just a little bit better place.

Find a Cause You're Passionate About

There are so many causes out there, but it's important to find one that you're passionate about. A lot of people say they want to volunteer more and help people in need, but when they go looking for the right cause, they can't find anything that feels like the right fit for them. The first step is figuring out what issue you care about most and what you would be interested in working on. After finding an issue you're passionate about, do some research to see if there are any organizations working in that area. If your research finds a few organizations in the same category as your passion, reach out to one of them and see if they could use some volunteers. Be sure to set clear expectations with the organization before agreeing to a commitment or starting work

Volunteer at an Organization You Support

One of the easiest and most effective ways you can help others is by volunteering your time and skills. You may be thinking about where you can volunteer, but if you already have a favorite organization, there's no need to start from scratch just get in touch with them and see if they could use your help says James Wolfgramm. If you're not sure what kind of organization would be a good fit for you, here are some ideas. If you love animals, consider volunteering at an animal shelter or rescue group. Want to help children? There are opportunities available at schools, after-school programs, libraries, and museums as well as other organizations that work with kids.

Donate Money or Goods to a Charity

One way that many people give back is by donating money or goods to a charity. There are many charities that do good work in your community, so it can be difficult to decide which one you want to donate to. You could ask friends and family what they support, research charities online, or visit your local library for information on different organizations. Once you’ve decided where to send your donation, there are various ways of giving. You may write a check out to the organization, drop off food or clothes at their office, or set up an automatic monthly donation through PayPal.

Raise Awareness for a Cause

You can find many causes that are near and dear to you or go with what you're passionate about. That might be animal rights, human rights, the environment, education the list goes on. Or maybe you prefer giving back in a more hands-on way? If so, there are plenty of opportunities for volunteering at homeless shelters or food banks. Whatever it is that inspires you and makes your life feel whole, take time this year to give back.

Help Out with a Local Project

Tons of people need help in various subjects and skills, so if you're qualified then there's no better way than helping them learn. You'll feel good about yourself and they'll be grateful. Be aware that some people might need tutoring on a one-on-one basis while others may have the capacity to tutor others or teach a group class. If this is the case, contact your local school district and see what they offer. You can also volunteer with an organization like Girls Who Code, which offers free classes for young women interested in computer programming.