Do Something More-Nonprofit Spotlights & Ways to Serve Your Community

Send us Fan Mail

One of the goals of this podcast is to encourage listeners with ideas on how to make service a regular part of your life...so the topic I'm addressing this week is actually talked about on the podcast all the time! But I wanted to put some of these ideas together in one episode.

Give it a listen to hear some simple tips that I hope will inspire you and also remind you that when it comes to reaching out and helping others, it doesn't have to ever be filled with guilt and truly can be a positive and joyful thing.

Different arrangements of the Hymn 'Have I Done Any Good?':
The Tabernacle Choir
Arrangement and music video from 2012
Arrangement and music video from 2021

Links mentioned in the show:
Episode 4: Using a Thank You to Engage in Service
Episode 13: Ideas for Getting Kids Engaged in Service
Episode 22: The Power of a Compliment

JustServe

Send us Fan Mail

It started with Stephanie DeCremer's animal-loving daughter finding simple ways to raise money for their local Humane Society, and has now turned into over five years of Stephanie and her children volunteering together there every week. They have done everything from walking dogs and cleaning kennels, to helping with special fundraising events. Listen to the podcast to hear all the many different ideas she shares for how to be involved at your local animal shelter. You can also hear tips on how anyone can be successful volunteering long-term for a cause like her family.

Follow the podcast on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Shauna Brown is the Executive Director of Project Read, a program that helps adults with literacy through one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction. On this episode she shares inspiring stories on how this organization truly is changing lives by helping adults acquire the skills they need in reading, writing, digital literacy, and math.

I especially loved this interview because I volunteered as a tutor with Project Read many years ago when I was a college student. The experience impacted me for the good and definitely helped instill my love of volunteering in the community.

Listen to the podcast to learn more about all the good things Project Read is doing!

Links from the episode:
Project Read website
Project Read on Instagram
Project Read on Facebook

ProLiteracy
National Literacy Directory

Follow the podcast on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Several years ago I had a neat experience that impacted me and taught me the true power a compliment can have, even with a stranger. Listen to the episode to hear my story (I promise it's pretty cool!) and why I think complimenting others can be a great act of service.

Send us Fan Mail

Melissa Christensen is  the mother of three children, two with special needs. She knows what it's like to learn how to advocate for and support a special needs child, all while navigating the medical needs and different unique challenges that come up along the way. She has used that experience and knowledge to assist other families for many years through her work with the Utah Kids Foundation and now serves as president.

Listen to the podcast to learn about the many unique ways this foundation is supporting families and individuals with special needs...including creating community and support through a Facebook group and also helping those in need with medical supplies. This was an inspiring interview and I loved learning more about Utah Kids Foundation and all the good they're doing, and I know you will too. Give it a listen or share it with a family you know with children with special needs who could use some encouraging words.

Links mentioned in the episode:
Utah Kids Foundation website
Utah Kids Foundation Facebook page
Utah Kids Foundation Special Needs Parent Forum on Facebook (must have a child with special needs to join)
Utah Kids Foundation Instagram

Follow the podcast on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Cari Bartholomew is passionate about education, advocating for children, and empowering others through information. She has been spending a lot of time this summer at different  camps for children, performing and reenacting the role of Harriet Tubman. I loved not only learning more about Harriet and her story in this interview, but also feeling Cari's passion for storytelling and history. Give it a listen to hear the inspiring reasons behind why she loves volunteering in this way.

Links mentioned in the episode:
Freedom's Light Festival
Cari's podcast on YouTube

Follow the podcast on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

After listening to a popular podcast that went live this summer called 'Scamanda', I thought it would be great to share a few tips on how to avoid scams to help anyone that is thinking of donating some money to a worthy cause. Of course, scams are unfortunately always going to exist and there isn't any absolute fail-proof way to always know when you're donating to one. But there are certainly lots of things we can do to make it a lot less likely.

Listen to the podcast to hear my five tips!

Links mentioned in the episode:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Charity Navigator
Charity Watch

Follow the podcast on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Abby Whiting is going to be a senior in high school next year, she's the first teenager I've had on the show! After personal experiences with people she loved and cared about, she had a desire to do something to raise awareness and normalize conversations around mental health. So last spring she decided to organize a run she called 'Physical Health for Mental Health.' Hear about her experiences putting the run together, and also what motivated her to do it. I was so impressed with the passion that Abby has and her ability to act on it.

Links mentioned in the episode:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI Utah

Follow the podcast on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Lincoln Bailey was working as an aid at a nursing home when he realized how he could make a difference for the residents who lived there. What started as him doing simple things like taking them to lunch, sitting and talking with them, or even making fun videos has now turned into his non-profit called 'Letters from Lincoln.'

Listen to the podcast to hear some of his experiences with starting his non-profit and to hear more about the good things he's doing to serve the elderly in his community.

Links mentioned in the episode:
'Letters from Lincoln' on Instagram
Lincoln Bailey interview on 'Good Things Utah'
Lincoln Bailey on TikTok

Follow the podcast on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

I thought this topic was a good one to drop on the 4th of July! In our world today, with social media and the constant news media cycle, badmouthing, criticizing, and demeaning elected officials, or really anyone that doesn't agree with our view point, is what sells. It's what popular and easy for people to do. 

Taking the time to thank someone who represents us in any way (all the way from our US Senators down to our local HOA president) and being specific about what we appreciate they are doing for us can go a long way to changing that negative culture. That doesn't mean we shouldn't hold our elected officials accountable, we certainly should and there are good and appropriate times and places to do that. But there is a place for thanking them too.

Listen to the episode to hear a couple of stories and thoughts from me that might help convince you even more on why you should take some time to thank one of your elected officials. If you've had experiences with this, I'd love to hear them in the comments!