A Funny Thing Happened On Volunteer Day

Greg Buckley

After one of the worst weeks in Wall Street history, it’s difficult to have a thought on anything else but what may lie ahead for next week. More of the same? Who knows. You are certainly not going to change it (unless you happen to be Hank Paulson or Ben Bernanke, and if you are, then I am honored that you’re here reading this) so you still have to open the doors and get the business going. So, let me talk about something entirely different.

Recently, I had the pleasure of volunteering for a couple of charitable organizations that I am familiar with. One of them, Shoes 2 Share, a not-for-profit that focuses on giving new and not so new shoes to those in need, both here and abroad.  It is operated by an old acquaintance from high school, Tim Wampler and his wife, Rhonda. The other organization is Meals On Wheels, which of course is national in scope and provides meals to those who are home-bound.

You noticed I said ”pleasure.” It was certainly that and much, much more. As I was packing and un-packing shoes to be shipped to Haiti children, it occurred to me that although I was in a room full of others, conversing, laughing and getting the job done, not once did I have to sell my self, my services or my company. I didn’t even mention my company until Tim walked up and asked, “How’s the shop?’ Tim has a professional dry cleaning business, so it was just small talk. I had one of the rare opportunities to NOT think about the shop and the day to day that goes with it.

The very next week my wife and I had our initial run for our Church’s Meals On Wheel program where we came in contact with those unable to leave their home or apartment or may not even have the money to afford a decent meal. The humbling part of the day was visiting those that were once my own clients for years and had abandoned driving altogether. My wife and I made it through the day and still had a smile on our face given to us by those that showed such gratitude when we stepped up to the door with their meals.

Now your thinking, what does this have to do with marketing. Really, I can’t say what is has to do with it at all. I would hate to tinge my pure and sincere desire to help these organizations by spinning it into a marketing strategy. However, what came about from me giving of myself and helping others solve their problems, were new relationships, new friends, new areas to grow personally. And, there was no pressure at all to be anyone else but me.

Volunteering has the ability to cleanse you. It has the ability to put you in places that allow you to be who you are and that makes others more willing to be with you instead of away from you.  Think about it.

To The Whole Of Your Business,

Greg