Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins

Book excerpt: The director of one of the largest grassroots volunteer programs in the country shows how everyone can give back. Just in time for the season of giving, Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins will change how Americans give back to their communities. Once a self-proclaimed "reluctant volunteer"-too busy and unmotivated- David Levinson is now director of the largest regional volunteer network, Big Sunday, with an army of fifty thousand volunteers across California. Speaking to the reluctant volunteer in everyone, he boosts our "Volunteer IQ" with specific advice on how, where, and why we can help. He candidly addresses the benefits and pitfalls of volunteering. And he tackles situations and individuals across the spectrum-people with one free day a year, retirees, community organizers, and those who want to ensure their checks go to the right cause. With a list of "Fifty-two Ways to Give Back," David brainstorms ideas for traditional and offbeat ways to contribute to your community; each has the pros, the cons, and a how-to guide. Combined with a comprehensive appendic listing online and print resources, this book provides both the motivation and the action plan to get every community working. Sixty-one million Americans volunteered last year and many more made charitable donations. This will become the book they-and their community's organizers-all need to make sure their time and money are put to good use.