This month’s guest blogger is Laurie Baker, President and CEO, The Summit Federal Credit Union

At The Summit Federal Credit Union, we consistently focus on the fundamentals of financial wellness with young people. When we are out in the community talking with students and through our blogs, we regularly mention the three “S’s”: Save, Spend, and Share. While we’ve spent a lot of time recently on Saving and Spending, it is “Sharing” that comes to mind, especially at the beginning of the year.

Community giving is part of The Summit’s collective DNA and it’s at the core of the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People”. In addition to monetary donations, Summit employees are also out in our communities raising awareness for great causes and helping to fundraise for them. I’m proud of the time that our employees devoted to community giving this year alone, which collectively accounted for 2,079 hours.

We are increasingly seeing more and more need in our communities. Although we would like to donate and help every cause, it’s impossible – increasingly so in an uncertain economy. But it’s important to remember that a simple act of kindness creates a ripple effect. Our willingness to share affects others, and it’s about giving our time as well as our dollars. I encourage you to give if you can. I wanted to share a few reasons why - some of which may surprise you.

• People who feel like they have a purpose and are making a difference tend to have better emotional and physical wellbeing. Generosity is proven to reduce stress and symptoms of depression.

• Volunteering your time reduces the sense of loneliness.

• Giving helps you learn more about the world, broadening perspectives and fueling understanding.

Supporting youth and helping them reach their full potential is a particular passion for me and I have personally been a supporter of Mary Cariola for many years.

As federal and state funding is cut, many of those organizations doing great work in our communities, such as Mary Cariola, simply cannot survive without our support. That support is not exclusive to monetary donations. Giving of your time and talents is as important as sharing your treasure. If you are reading this blog, you are already aware of the impact that Mary Cariola makes on the individuals and families that it serves as well as on our community as a whole. I encourage you to look at what you can do to play a part in ensuring that this beloved institution can continue to thrive.

It’s important to ensure that the philanthropic torch is passed on. For children, it’s important to instill a sense of sharing at an early age so that by the time that they reach adulthood, giving becomes second nature. It can be a fun family project! I like to envision a world where the next generation seamlessly takes over as philanthropists.

Make sharing a part of your 2023. You’ll feel great and that feeling will reach so many others!