365give Volunteer Spotlight – Kelly McLay

We love highlighting our dedicated writers in our volunteer spotlight. Kelly has been writing for our 365give blog for almost a year. Her thoughtful giving ideas help us to bring giving inspiration ideas to each of you, and we are thankful for her contributions. As a mom, recent graduate, and volunteer, Kelly continues to amaze us. we are still not sure  how she fits it all in. We are so thankful she has chosen our organization to share her writing abilities, giving ideas and her dedication to positive global change. Check out Kelly’s volunteer spotlight below and learn why she has joined our volunteer team.

How did you become interested in 365give?

I was looking for a new organization to volunteer with and loved the idea of contributing to this inspiring and impactful global movement by using (and giving!) one of my most treasured talents – writing.  Writing in various forms has been a life-long passion of mine, and using that passion to volunteer for an organization I believe in, like 365give, was a no brainer. Merging my love for writing, my desire to make a difference, and the joy I receive when I volunteer has brought me so much happiness and fulfillment. As Pablo Picasso so aptly said, “the meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” 

Why did you want to volunteer at 365give?

I volunteer for other organizations, but in more local, community-focused capacities. With 365give, I have an amazing opportunity to give back in a much broader and farther-reaching way. The idea of inspiring readers all over the world, and doing my part to promote positivity, happiness, and giving on a global platform was exciting, and now that I’m doing it – incredibly rewarding!

What have you been your greatest rewards while volunteering at 365give?

There have been many. But the most rewarding has been the inspiration I receive from researching my articles and exploring the topics and ideas aimed at cultivating more happiness in our lives and creating positive change in the world. The process of writing the blogs has had a significant impact on my life. But isn’t that always the case with volunteering? You get far more than you give. And I love sharing the 365give message with my young daughter. As I research and write my articles, we talk about the topics I am working on, and I’m grateful for how these conversations influence our lives. Thinking about ways to give and implementing them in my daily life, that has been the greatest reward for me.

Have you volunteered at other organizations? If so, where?

As an animal advocate and vegetarian, I have volunteered with various animal organizations and wildlife rescue centres over the years. Most recently, fighting to end homelessness and hunger has been the primary focus of my volunteer efforts. I donate my time to a local organization called Regeneration Outreach that provides the gift of hope to people experiencing extreme poverty, homelessness, and addiction. I volunteer my time there working in their kitchen, their thrift store and their community garden.

What is your most inspiring give?

My favourite gives are the ones I can do with my daughter (pictured above). Teaching her about the transformative power of giving is what inspires me most. Once a week, we volunteer at a local community garden that grows vegetables for a charity serving warm meals for homeless and vulnerable people in our community. Having the opportunity to work together and give our time to such an important cause is an incredibly fulfilling experience that allows for meaningful lessons about making a difference and giving back and opens the door for ongoing discussions about privilege, oppression and social change. This give plants seeds, not only in the community garden, but in the heart and mind of my little one. Through simple acts like weeding, watering and planting, she learns that everyone has the power to make a difference and that together we can create change.

Thank you Kelly for your continued support and dedication to 365give. We look forward to sharing more of your inspiration with the 365give community and readers. Read more articles written by Kelly on our blog.

Do you want to be a part of our volunteer team and be featured in our volunteer spotlight? Contact us and let us know if you would like to be part of our volunteer team.