News
Giving Sum has had a busy spring! Our members have been active with community outreach and public events – plus we’ve had the privilege of hearing from some great speakers at our All Member Events!
April 9 - Giving Sum members volunteered with the Lemonade Day Philanthropy Fair on April 9 – we joined our 2013 partner Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana to help produce a fun educational event that gave kids the opportunity to learn about giving and nonprofits in Indianapolis.
April 11 - Giving Sum had a great interactive discussion about education in Indianapolis at our All Member Event with Indy Star reporter Matthew Tully.
April 23 – Giving Sum was on the air! Volunteers manned the phone banks for WFYI’s pledge drive while President Ryan Brady and Travis DiNicola talked on air about Giving Sum during a drive time segment.
April 25 - Prospective and current members joined us at the Indianapolis Museum of Art for Giving Sum +IMA a new member recruitment event that included a special tour of the IMA’s landmark Ai Wei Wei show.
May 6 – Mayor Greg Ballard spoke candidly at our All Member Event and gave Giving Sum members the opportunity ask questions about what’s ahead for Indianapolis.
Giving Sum's March 2013 Member Event Athletes in Philanthropy was all about living life to its fullest, on the court and off. Our special guests, Former IU and Pacer great Quinn Buckner and Indiana Fever WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings, shared how they took action to achieve their goals for their community through philanthropy and advocacy.
On February 28, 2013, Giving Sum members, alumni, friends and community partners gathered for the first I (Heart) Giving Awards. We celebrated some amazing people in Indianapolis who are making an impact in the lives of others through their creativity, hard work, and commitment to making our city and the world a better place. Huge thanks to all the honorees and guests who came out for this fabulous event and worked to make it possible!
Dozens of Giving Sum members spent a January Saturday morning sorting food at Gleaners Food Bank for our first member event of the year. Several other community groups joined us to sort a record-breaking amount of donated food. Special thanks to everyone who braved the cold morning to join us - and if you weren't there, we missed you!
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January 17: Why I Give
Why I Give
A monthly reflection on giving
Emily Sellers
Like many, my story begins with my childhood. Growing up, I remember saving up quarters to drop in the church basket. I didn’t realize it at the time, but these small acts of philanthropy were laying the groundwork for how I would incorporate philanthropy throughout my entire life.
As I grew, so did the depth of my philanthropy and my love for serving others. By the time I reached college, I was ready for a challenge and explore new ways of engaging in philanthropy. Up until that point, giving and service had been a consistent aspect in my life. Although my personal interests, styles, and activities changed; my involvement in giving and service remained the same.
While in college, I was heavily involved in the Volunteer Center and Alternative Spring Break program. Each trip introduced me to a new social issue; enabled me to play a role in addressing a critical need; and helped me gain new skills, perspectives, friends, and memories. My junior year, I traveled to Nashville, TN and volunteered with the United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee. During this trip, my team was tasked with building wheelchair ramps for individuals who could not afford to ensure their homes were accessible. I will never forget the look on the faces of the individuals and families who were able to safely access their homes for the first time – a task many of us may take for granted. It was this trip in particular that inspired me to join AmeriCorps and dedicate a year of my life to serving others and giving back.
My first year with AmeriCorps is one I will never forget. I served as an AmeriCorps*NCCC Corps member in Charleston, SC. AmeriCorps*NCCC a traveling, team-based national service program for individuals 18-24. Those 10 months were the most challenging, physically demanding, discouraging, fun, rewarding, and unforgettable months of my life. In September 2005, my team left on our first disaster relief tour to Waveland, MS. Even though we spent over a month in intensive training and preparation, I am not sure any level of training could have fully prepared us for what we were about to face. When we arrived, we were surrounded by devastation. Homes were destroyed, trees were uprooted, and the ground was covered in debris and personal belongings. However, among the remnants of what used to be a community you could still find beauty present. Witnessing complete strangers providing aid and comfort to residents, and seeing the pure strength, resilience, and hope of the residents was truly inspiring. My AmeriCorps experience changed my life. It transformed the way I view the world, the problems in our society, and my role in addressing these issues.
What started with small acts of philanthropy as a child has become a way of life for me. I am grateful to have found a career in service; opportunities to surround myself with other like-minded individuals who value of philanthropy and service; and live in a community that prides itself on its strong values of service and engagement. I give because it has become a way of life for me. It allows me to make positive contributions to society and inspires me to be a part of the solutions to the issues affecting my community and world. It has introduced me to new places, remarkable people, new ideas, and perspectives. I give because I believe it makes me a better daughter, sister, friend, colleague, leader, and citizen.
Giving Sum has had a busy spring! Our members have been active with community outreach and public events – plus we’ve had the privilege of hearing from some great speakers at our All Member Events!
April 9 - Giving Sum members volunteered with the Lemonade Day Philanthropy Fair on April 9 – we joined our 2013 partner Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana to help produce a fun educational event that gave kids the opportunity to learn about giving and nonprofits in Indianapolis.
April 11 - Giving Sum had a great interactive discussion about education in Indianapolis at our All Member Event with Indy Star reporter Matthew Tully.
April 23 – Giving Sum was on the air! Volunteers manned the phone banks for WFYI’s pledge drive while President Ryan Brady and Travis DiNicola talked on air about Giving Sum during a drive time segment.
April 25 - Prospective and current members joined us at the Indianapolis Museum of Art for Giving Sum +IMA a new member recruitment event that included a special tour of the IMA’s landmark Ai Wei Wei show.
May 6 – Mayor Greg Ballard spoke candidly at our All Member Event and gave Giving Sum members the opportunity ask questions about what’s ahead for Indianapolis.
Giving Sum's March 2013 Member Event Athletes in Philanthropy was all about living life to its fullest, on the court and off. Our special guests, Former IU and Pacer great Quinn Buckner and Indiana Fever WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings, shared how they took action to achieve their goals for their community through philanthropy and advocacy.
On February 28, 2013, Giving Sum members, alumni, friends and community partners gathered for the first I (Heart) Giving Awards. We celebrated some amazing people in Indianapolis who are making an impact in the lives of others through their creativity, hard work, and commitment to making our city and the world a better place. Huge thanks to all the honorees and guests who came out for this fabulous event and worked to make it possible!
Dozens of Giving Sum members spent a January Saturday morning sorting food at Gleaners Food Bank for our first member event of the year. Several other community groups joined us to sort a record-breaking amount of donated food. Special thanks to everyone who braved the cold morning to join us - and if you weren't there, we missed you!
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to share member news.
January 17: Why I Give
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Why I GiveA monthly reflection on giving Emily Sellers
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Like many, my story begins with my childhood. Growing up, I remember saving up quarters to drop in the church basket. I didn’t realize it at the time, but these small acts of philanthropy were laying the groundwork for how I would incorporate philanthropy throughout my entire life. As I grew, so did the depth of my philanthropy and my love for serving others. By the time I reached college, I was ready for a challenge and explore new ways of engaging in philanthropy. Up until that point, giving and service had been a consistent aspect in my life. Although my personal interests, styles, and activities changed; my involvement in giving and service remained the same. While in college, I was heavily involved in the Volunteer Center and Alternative Spring Break program. Each trip introduced me to a new social issue; enabled me to play a role in addressing a critical need; and helped me gain new skills, perspectives, friends, and memories. My junior year, I traveled to Nashville, TN and volunteered with the United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee. During this trip, my team was tasked with building wheelchair ramps for individuals who could not afford to ensure their homes were accessible. I will never forget the look on the faces of the individuals and families who were able to safely access their homes for the first time – a task many of us may take for granted. It was this trip in particular that inspired me to join AmeriCorps and dedicate a year of my life to serving others and giving back. My first year with AmeriCorps is one I will never forget. I served as an AmeriCorps*NCCC Corps member in Charleston, SC. AmeriCorps*NCCC a traveling, team-based national service program for individuals 18-24. Those 10 months were the most challenging, physically demanding, discouraging, fun, rewarding, and unforgettable months of my life. In September 2005, my team left on our first disaster relief tour to Waveland, MS. Even though we spent over a month in intensive training and preparation, I am not sure any level of training could have fully prepared us for what we were about to face. When we arrived, we were surrounded by devastation. Homes were destroyed, trees were uprooted, and the ground was covered in debris and personal belongings. However, among the remnants of what used to be a community you could still find beauty present. Witnessing complete strangers providing aid and comfort to residents, and seeing the pure strength, resilience, and hope of the residents was truly inspiring. My AmeriCorps experience changed my life. It transformed the way I view the world, the problems in our society, and my role in addressing these issues. What started with small acts of philanthropy as a child has become a way of life for me. I am grateful to have found a career in service; opportunities to surround myself with other like-minded individuals who value of philanthropy and service; and live in a community that prides itself on its strong values of service and engagement. I give because it has become a way of life for me. It allows me to make positive contributions to society and inspires me to be a part of the solutions to the issues affecting my community and world. It has introduced me to new places, remarkable people, new ideas, and perspectives. I give because I believe it makes me a better daughter, sister, friend, colleague, leader, and citizen. |