Ways to make a move to make a difference

photo credit: Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) via photopin cc

We all have the ability to make a difference we just need to choose to move.

No matter what your career or job may be that should not limit us from finding our passion.  Some people are lucky enough to love the job that they do, the rest of us have to search elsewhere.

Whatever your walk of life, whether you work in an office, a school, construction it does not matter.  We all have skills, better yet gifts that we can use in our life to make our world a little bit better.  Whether you mentor a child, feed the homeless or spend time with the elderly there are many ways that we can give ourselves to better another’s day.

A good example is the way I and many other volunteers spent this past weekend.  We came from all walks of life, all ages and skill-sets; all for one cause.  It did not matter if they worked at an IT company, a bank, the mortgage industry and many more.  Some were students earning credit, while others took a day off to help others were retirees wanting to give a helping hand.  We all joined forces and chose to move and  change the landscape of our city.

Many people wonder why we do what we do, some may say what difference does it make.  I can personally say that yes there are some sore muscles and still a bit sleep deprivation but all worth the cost of saving lives one by one.  To see the faces of shelter pets as they went to a furever home one by one.

In three long days the shelter in the area joined forces once again to save the lives of our city.  We were the voice for the dogs and cats that did not have their own.  All worked together with one goal in mind, to get them all home.

After three long days of adoptions as well as many more hours of set up and break down, we met and beat our goals by getting them all home.  One thousand one hundred and sixty-five (1165) was the last count of all the animals saved in my community.  With all the local shelter staff, rescues and many volunteers we successfully emptied the full shelters and made space for even more lives to be saved.

No matter what your passion, you too can make a difference in your community all you need to do is move.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Animal Shelters
2. Soup Kitchens
3. Mentors in Schools
4. Tutoring
5. Build a house
6. Visit the Elderly
7. Clothe the Homeless
8. Advocate for Human Rights
9. Fund raise for a Cause

These are just a few ways that you too can make a difference, share your talents and change your own community.  Some may be labor intensive and others may take a bit of time.  All are worth the cost and provide a sense of achievement that no job or career will be able to beat.

Personally it fills my heart and makes me feel like I have made a difference when I get out of my cubicle and into the community.  Whether I am finding homes for the homeless pets in my community or sharing sandwiches on the street.  Every person can make a difference if we just make the choice and choose to move.

Join the conversation: How do you choose to make a difference and move in your community?

Special thanks to: First Coast No More Homeless Pets, PetSmart Charities, Animal Care and Protective Services, Clay County Humane Society, Jacksonville Humane Society, Friends of Jacksonville Animals, Friends of Clay County Animals, Pet Paradise and many more for giving me the opportunity to move.