Contributing to Yahoo is a joke!

Apparently when you send in articles to Yahoo, they are extremely picky about what they want to publish. SO I will just post what I wrote on there...HERE! The article was supposed to be about keeping a New Years Resolution...so I wrote about keeping the resolution of "giving back to your community"! Enjoy, and please pass on the advice to anyone looking to volunteer!!!

We have all clinked glasses at Midnight with "visions of change" dancing in our head, but where do we start? It's simple really! I have put together "5 Steps to Giving Back". Follow these steps and you will be well on your way to keeping your resolution and making a difference in someone or somethings life! 
Step 1- Decide which organization you want to assist. The Greater Lansing Area has many organizations in need of assistance. There are Homeless Shelters, Food Banks, Animal Shelters, Health Clinics, Safe Houses, etc. If you are nervous about volunteering, maybe stick with something you are more comfortable with. 
Step 2- Decide what kind of assistance you want to provide. 
Do you plan on just writing a check? Gathering donatable items? Volunteering your time? Throwing a fundraiser to benefit the organization you chose? This step you should take some time to think about. Places that need assistance are more than happy with anything you are able to provide. Nothing is too small. If you plan on writing a check to donate- Call your organization and ask who the check should be made out to. They may ask you to drop it off in person, or provide you with an address to send the check. If you want to collect items to donate- Once again contact the organization or check their website. You may be surprised the items some places need, it can be anywhere from a washing machine to kleenex! If you chose one of these two options, all you have to do is collect the items and drop them off/send them into the organization you chose. If you want to be more hands on, move on to Step 3. 
Step 3- Getting involved. If you are planning on giving your time by volunteering, you must contact your chosen organization. They will provide you with a list of volunteer jobs that need filing. They will also give you times and dates to come in to discuss your part in volunteering. Some volunteer jobs at Safe Houses and Homeless Shelters may require a more in depth interview to be sure you would be a good candidate in assisting. Some may even have a training day for you to better understand what happens at the organization. If you choose to throw a fundraiser, a staff member will sit down with you to discuss your plan, and the next steps to take. 
Step 4- Pass on the word! If you ever give back, make sure to pass on the word that you did, and what you did! You may be surprised how many people never know where to start. With these steps you can now assist others in giving back as well! 
Step 5- Give yourself a pat on the back! Congratulations you just kept your Resolution, and helped someone in need! Giving is the best gift and it is the best feeling in the world. 

Here is a link to search for volunteer opportunities: http://www.mivolunteers.org/ 

Samantha grew up in East Lansing, she has compiled hundreds of hours volunteering, spent her winter break collecting donatable items and making blankets for the cats and dogs at a local animal shelter. Over the years she has helped raise more than $500,000 for the Greater Lansing Food Bank, by assisting in running the Empty Plate Auction.