Just one week ago, I was on such a ‘high.’ But it wasn’t only because my elevator had just stopped on the 39th floor of a skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles. I was feeling great because I was about to meet one of our most prestigious Lev LaLev donors.
While other moments can be preceded with ‘butterflies in the stomach’ or other manifestations of nerves, I was eager for this meeting, which was based in an expression of gratitude and to create an enthusiasm for our future projects. Most anticipated was the golden opportunity of getting to know our supporters. It’s a dream of mine to meet each one (especially those living in Aruba…..)
My time in LA allowed me to have such meetings in the local Starbucks or Coffee Bean. No matter where we met, I knew I was face-to-face with some of the most generous and caring people on the planet.
In fact, they fit the profile of giving discussed by Azim Jamal and Harvey McKinnon in their book, The Power of Giving: How Giving Back Enriches Us All.
According to them, there are numerous ways to give:
- Love
- Laughter
- Knowledge
- Leadership
- Hope
- Life
- Time
- Money
- Skills
- Health
- Touch
- Attention
- Advice
And the benefits of giving are just as profound:
- New relationships
- A feeling of security
- Jobs
- Good health, reducing stress and even enhancing your immune system
- A sense of empowerment, pride and accomplishment
- Happiness
- Peace and love
Our donors range from wealthy to bankrupt, from secure to anxious. Whether their donation is four digits or two, each of this exclusive group wants to change the world and believes that their contribution alone can make a difference.
I found that while our connection was based in our concern for the girls, we bonded on other levels, with humor and the sharing of our lives, as well as new ideas regarding the promotion of Lev LaLev and how to help our girls heal from their shattered lives. When asked how they found us, the general response was, “I was feeling generous, searched the web, saw your page, and instantly connected with the girls.”
It’s 21st century fundraising at its best.
Still, I believe that nothing will ever replace that one-to-one connection, where we bond on personal levels. It’s where we get to share the very best of ourselves – it’s the afterglow of giving that resonates long after we’ve met.
I’m not quite sure whether our plan is to visit every donor throughout the world (yet), but if I’m coming to your neighborhood, don’t worry: I won’t hesitate to call. And if you’re planning a trip to Israel for a winter vacation, please let me know. I’d be honored to arrange a visit to the Home so you can see firsthand what your support accomplishes each day.
Rachel Weinstein
Director of Development
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