Indulge me if you will by letting me kick-start this issue with one -- among the many -- admonishments my mother used to advise us: give a little, get a lot.
But we weren't interested in the Pollyanna aspect of "doing good."
As a publication dedicated to creativity and innovation, the effort here
is to portray the variety of motivations and intriguing ways that
citizens of the region give back to their community.
Though technically, I believe she was referring to embracing a sense of compromise -- that if you give in a little, you'd reap the greater benefits of a shared vision. Over the years, she consistently used the saying, hoping to maneuver her five children into selfless adulthood.
Though, in pulling together this issue, the common theme of people acting selflessly to better their community also seemed to parallel this principle.
By just giving a little of their efforts -- to their respective charities, causes or community -- their selflessness created a much greater impact and return on their investment of time and money.
But we weren't interested in the Pollyanna aspect of "doing good."
As a publication dedicated to creativity and innovation, the effort here is to portray the variety of motivations and intriguing ways that citizens of the region give back to their community.
One key to successful philanthropy is having a personal connection to your cause or commitment.
Certainly, Elizabeth Fraizer, along with her husband Michael, are impressive in their scope of giving -- from youth mentoring to an entrepreneurial investment in the Richmond Raiders as effort in part to support Downtown's vibrancy . They've commuted their shared passion for athletics into successful business and philanthropy.
Partnering is another interesting aspect of community outreach. Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Carolyn N. Graham, are working together with the public schools and the corporate community to help city youth evolve into successful businesspeople through the Youth Academy and Summer Works Initiative.
In the arts, performer and playwright, Slash Coleman, the Real Small Art League and the Richmond Craft Mafia, have created a novel competition that ultimately benefits Art180 and the Richmond SPCA.
We've found, like in business and the arts, creative problem-solving is just as integral to community outreach as is personal investment.
