For years, I remember my grandfather giving up sweets and desserts for Lent. At one point he adjusted it and said Sundays were the sabbath and as such he could have two desserts on Sunday. Then a couple years ago, the priest at his church provided insight into the season of Lent and Gramps took it to a whole new level…He proclaimed that he would eat more desserts to save everyone else from having to do it!!!

That’s my Gramps and I love him. He will do anything for anyone in need if he can. However, he took Father’s words to the extreme this time. Father noted that oftentimes during Lent, people give up things. Sometimes struggling with their decision and not always successful. What he explained was that Lent is not necessarily a time to give things up but instead a time to give of one’s self. Of course, Gramps thought he was giving of himself by taking the burden from others of eating dessert…a sigh and a smile…

Why give up anything? Volunteer your time instead! "Volunteers Welcome" photo provided by naturemoms.com

There are many ways you can give of yourself. Here is a list of places for volunteer information:

• www.1-800-Volunteer.org including:
• The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life—businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults—to volunteer.
• www.mentoring.org - Youth Mentoring
• www.mentor.org - Mentoring at-risk youth
• www.bbbsa.org - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• www.bgca.org - Boys and Girls Club of America
• www.ysa.org - Youth Service America provides volunteer opportunities for young people ages 5-25
• www.redcross.org - American Red Cross
• www.habitat.org - Habitat for Humanity
• www.kab.org - Keep America Beautiful – Beautifying America by focusing on litter prevention, beautification and community improvement, and waste reduction.
• www.takepride.gov - Take Pride in America – Helping preserve our nation’s landmarks.
• www.nature.org - The Nature Conservancy
• www.wish.org - The Make-A-WishFoundation
• www.specialolympics.org - Special Olympics
• www.toysfortots.org
• www.ala.org - American Library Association
• www.homeaid.org - HomeAid is a leading national non-profit provider of housing for today’s homeless. Founded in 1989, the organization has built housing for more than 60,000 men, women and children.

Your local community education center may have community projects you can join and be a part of. You can volunteer at a school, hospital or nursing home. Help out at your local food bank or soup kitchen. Students can do volunteer work through their universities on Spring Break. If you would like to take it to a larger level check out Americorps (http://www.americorps.gov/) or the Peace Corps (http://www.peacecorps.gov/).

So instead of thinking what you will give up this year, think of what you can give this year. Imagine the impact you could make in 40 days…