“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
Paul McCartney
Public service performed by men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be individually rewarding as much as it is valuable for the larger community. Volunteering alongside a wide variety of community members is one of the best means there is to naturally promote inclusion — for people to truly get to know one another, appreciate and befriend each other, and experience a real sense of belonging.
The truth is, accepting President Kennedy’s challenge to proactively do what you can for the good of your country provides each one of us with substantial benefits. For some, the benefits are primarily a boost of self-confidence and self-esteem that comes from knowing you are helping others. For others who gladly volunteer their time and resources, it’s the reward that comes from socializing with others and building friendships based on common interests. Some who perform community service get to increase their professional skills, try out a new career or simply take a break from the pressures of their current job and enjoy a different type of activity.
So what about you?
Are you content to sit back and exhibit the self-centered “What have you done for me lately?” attitude that is so commonplace nowadays? Or have you learned that giving back is as rewarding to the person who serves as it is to the recipient? Does it make sense to devote your energies to begrudging those who seemingly have more than you? Or like so many of the individuals served by DEC, are you ready to focus on the needs of the less fortunate who live all around us?
None of us can do everything. But each of us can do something.
Participate in DEC’s fundraising events conducted throughout the year, such as the Martelli Games and the Phil Martelli Golf Classic. Join DEC’s growing family of corporate sponsors. Assign your business’ packaging, assembly and fulfillment requirements to the well-trained and highly motivated individuals in our DECWorks program. Provide a meticulously-trained, results-driven developmentally disabled individual with an employment opportunity to promote dignity, responsibility and independence.
Most important, please make a financial contribution to DEC, so we can continue doing what we’ve done so well since 1971 — be there for individuals and their families with an array of high quality programs and innovative services whenever they need us.
Do well by doing good.