Volunteerism in the Holidays: Many People Swap Gift Giving for Charitable Giving

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) December 22, 2005 --Numbers recently issued by the USA Freedom Corps and The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor indicates a renewed interest in volunteerism in America. Prominent political figures, celebrities and your average Joe seem to be involved in some sort of non-profit project. Headlines are splashed across the newspapers: “Group works to meet evacuees’ needs” and “Group offers comfort during times of trauma” and most recently major papers have been printing volunteer columns that list different charities and groups that need help so you too can make a difference in your community. In light of some of the most recent tragedies it seems as if volunteerism is at an all-time high across the nation and this holiday season many companies are swapping gift giving during the holidays for charitable giving to much needed causes.

One local company, Debt-Free America, has been “bitten by the volunteerism bug” for some time and its team members have been involved with San Diego charities and the community for many years. Debt-Free America participates in a variety of activities during the holidays and instead of holding a traditional gift exchange or holiday party, Debt-Free America donates their time and energy giving back to its local community. This year they are organizing a food drive with CP Kelco, their neighbor, and will participate in several overnight stays at Interfaith Shelter Network with families who are homeless, unemployed or in financial hardship. Debt-Free America has also participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk as well as donated time and money to various community organizations such as YMCA and the Children’s Miracle Network.

Staff Stories of Volunteerism

Catherine Mattice, a Debt-Free America employee, is also dedicated to helping young adults understand the repercussions of their money management decisions and works hard to educate them on basic success skills when it comes to their business and personal lives. That’s why when she found out about Junior Achievements, a non-profit financial education organization teaching youth about free enterprise, business and the workforce, she jumped on the chance to volunteer. Little did she know that she would soon be teaching an eight-week series course entitled “Success Skills”.

Junior Achievements uses hands-on experiences to help young people understand the economics of life. In partnership with businesses and educators, Junior Achievements brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential. The staff and volunteers at the Junior Achievements program believe there is a lot that is right with today’s kids – kids crave opportunity, they want to be successful, and they dream big. But many of these kids need a push in the right direction – they need someone from the real business world to give them information about how to use their potential to be successful.

Catherine saw this opportunity to merge the “real world” with the world of education. Continuing through the holidays and the New Year, she will be teaching sophomores at Kearny Mesa High School about how to manage their money, how to write an excellent resume, how to ace job interviews, how to apply for college and a variety of other experiences most working adults know, but take for granted that at some point it needs to be taught to our future professionals.

You are invited to talk with a Debt-Free America representative about their volunteerism during this festive time of year and the impact it has had on their life. We also invite you to join us in the classroom and see the young adults and Catherine in action.

WHAT:    

Local companies swap gift giving for charitable giving

WHO:    

Debt-Free America

WHEN:    

Interviews are available immediately and ongoing

Debt-Free America is a 501(c)3 non-profit, community service organization offering confidential and professional credit counseling, debt management programs, and financial education to consumers nationwide. Debt-Free America is dedicated to providing FREE services to help financially distressed families and individuals effectively manage their personal finances. Debt-Free America is also dedicated to giving back to their community by volunteering, sponsoring non-profits and in their seminar messages. The Board members and operations staff have a long-term commitment to helping anyone in debt crisis, and even those not in a debt crisis. Debt-Free America has been in the business since 1997 and is now serving over 16,000 clients nationwide.

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