Who ranks #1 on the planet for giving? If you guessed the United States, you would be correct! In fact, 9-10 Americans give to charity or volunteer their time for a charitable organization. We are a nation of givers. According to the organization Research for Good, these are the top five reasons people give:
1. Someone I know asked me to offer, and I wanted to help them
2. I felt emotionally moved by someone’s story
3. I want to feel I’m not powerless in the face of need and can help
4. I want to feel I’m changing someone’s life
5. I feel a sense of closeness to a community or group
Scientists provide another reason because it makes us happy! According to Live Happy Magazine, people who behaved generously were happier afterward than those who acted more selfishly. Economist and research Philippe Tobler explains that the amount of the gift is not significant:
“The amount of generosity did not influence the increase in contentment. “You don’t need to become a self-sacrificing martyr to feel happier. Just being a little more generous will suffice,”
In Wylie ISD, we want happy and hopeful kids. We also want them to realize the importance of the values of caring and giving that will help them become better people while making their world a better place. The past few months we have spent time teaching our kids about caring and giving and helping them practice it. Our students raised more than $12,300 and ultimately stocked our local food pantry (The Wylie Christian Care Center) with more than 80,000 food items to teach them the value of giving back to our community.
We believe that when kids give back to their community and see the results, it helps them understand the impact of their acts of service and be inspired to do more. During December, our District PTA requested help providing Christmas gifts to nearly 1,000 less fortunate students in our schools. We call it Wylie Way Christmas, and this was a big request! However, it was not too big for YOU! In 7 school days, tickets for every child collected, shopping started, and thousands of presents delivered back to Wylie ISD ready for grateful parents! Check out this video and be amazed!
This teaches our kids is that giving is important because it makes them happy and makes their community a better place. Caring and caring for your neighbor and your friend is the Wylie Way! During the break, I encourage you to find ways to continue giving back and caring for others. Visiting a nursing home, helping an elderly neighbor or simply opening a door for someone else makes our little world in Wylie a better place. Plus, it shows our kids this is important. It has been said, America is great because it is good, this is certainly true in Wylie and definitely the Wylie Way!
