Giving back is taking your own time to help the people, places and things around you to ensure that this world can live in harmony for eons to come. Donating all your money or spending all of your time in a homeless shelter isn’t what it’s all about; it’s all about making a difference in your life, your community, and the world as a whole. Making a difference is standing out from the rest, doing things creatively, things no one else would think of doing. Americans are truly missing out on the greatest way to make a difference; giving back!

No matter how tough you think your life is, there’s always someone who has to face challenges that are even tougher than yours. Whether it’s food on the table, a roof over their head, an education, or paying for medical needs, someone somewhere is going without. Another way to look at it is that everyone, rich or poor, takes from society, and doing things such as volunteering is one way to show a sense of appreciation.

Having a positive impact on the community is easier than you may think. For example, by volunteering even a small amount of your time saves resources and provides valuable services so more money can be spent on local improvements. It beautifies the community by helping support local families, it improves schools, and supports our youth. Becoming engaged with your community unites people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal while building camaraderie and teamwork. Not only does giving back help your community, but it also helps one’s self in many ways as well.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, giving back can: solve personal problems, strengthen communities, improve lives, connect to others, transform your life, and most of all help the people around you. Those individuals who give back also experience lower mortality rates, greater ability to function, and have less depression when aging than those who don’t give back actively.

Getting involved in giving back to your community is quite simple. Start by finding something that you are passionate about and find an organization that intertwines. There are so many ways to get involved including things such as donating your old clothes, reading to kindergarteners, or delivering an elderly person their “Meals on Wheels” on your lunch break. These types of things that will only take a few minutes out of your day, are privileges that not everyone has.

Helping others will make you feel gratitude, that you are appreciated, and knowing that you are making a difference, making you more open-minded and compassionate. People are so wrapped up in their busy lives that they forget the importance to stop, and take a minute to think of all the people that don’t have the opportunity to live a life full of enough activity to keep them busy. It is like when you don’t realize how great your head feels until you have a headache. It is a small sacrifice of a little bit of time to make a giant impact on someone else’s life!

Forest View Recreation Bar & Grill believes in giving back to the community in which they serve. This Memorial Day to Labor Day they are going to do just that as part of their 100 Days of Giving Campaign. They are going to dedicate 100 days to different fundraisers. 10% of sales from the Bar & Grill, open play volleyball, open play bowling, and indoor golf will be donated to clubs, organizations, and charities from around the area. There are still dates available, but they are filling quickly. For more information or to register, call Melissa at (734)847-4915 or stop in to Forest View located at 2345 W. Dean Rd. in Temperance.

To learn more, visit forestviewlanes.com or call Melissa Osborne at 734-847-4915.