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about Asia Buzz
Culture on Demand: Helping Hand
Make a difference in your community in 2001
By STAN STALNAKER
January 27, 2001
Web posted at 11:30 a.m. Hong Kong time, 10:30 p.m. EDT
There is no shortage of good causes if you are looking to make a difference in
your community this year, though some involve more work than others. But one
would hope that the feeling of satisfaction and reward is greater than the work
put in -- in most cases, volunteers will tell you that it actually far exceeds
the investment. Thus, may we propose a new pet project for 2001: some good old-
fashioned volunteerism.
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ASIAWEEK |
Intelligence
The story behind today's news from the editors of Asiaweek
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The nice thing about philanthropic work is that it really does make a difference
in the lives of people. For those of us used to making a difference for "the
company" and "the family," the chance to reach out and help a cause you believe
in can be especially enriching. Besides, you never know when a person with a
problem could end up being you.
If you're ready to get your hands dirty, here are a few charities you may find
of interest. Many of them need motivated individuals to help with day-to-day
operations and activities, but it is always possible to donate cash, which fills
in gaps that a lot of hands sometimes cannot fill.
In any case, who says it has to be your cash? Increasing numbers of volunteers
are coordinating charity initiatives within the workplace that can diffuse a
financial commitment. From charity sponsorships to raffle sales, there are lots
of low cost ways to make a contribution.
Anyway, here are my three favorite causes, and a few contact details:
Cancer
With almost one in 10 individuals affected by cancer at some point in their
lifetime, this remains one of the most potent killers on anyone's radar.
Research on prevention and cures continues, and new hope from DNA-related
treatments means that beating cancer is a real possibility. But this takes big
bucks -- and organizations such as the Hong Kong Cancer Fund need help. In
Singapore, try the Cancer Endowment Fund, which is connected to the National
Cancer Center of Singapore.
Children
They say we should be nice to kids because they are the one's who'll choose our
nursing homes. When the time comes where all we want is congee and better
hearing, it might be nice to know we helped grant a few wishes to today's kids.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants all sorts of wishes to sick and terminally ill
children across the region through a network of local affiliate chapters in Hong
Kong, the Philippines and other cities. They have been trying to start a chapter
in Singapore for some time now, but with funds a bit on the low side they are
limited in their capacity to grant wishes.
Conservation
We all know there is a long list of things we need to save -- from water to the
air to old love letters. One top priority is South East Asia's tigers, where
only a few hundred remain in the wild. The World Wildlife Fund in Thailand (662
524 6129) and Malaysia (603 703 3772) and the Thai Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (662 236 2176) have been trying to get the word out on
protecting earth's coolest cats. Poaching and habitat destruction remain the
biggest problems for tigers in the region, so these groups are helping to train
local enforcement officers to stop poachers while working to conserve what is
left of the habitat. To help stop the destruction, consider having a fundraising
party or event, with proceeds earmarked to one of these conservation groups.
Whatever you do, don't let the year pass without trying to plant a little bit of
what you receive back into a good cause. Don't worry, it tends to come back in
spades, and it's good for your karma.
Meanwhile, this is my last column for awhile as we welcome a new lineup of
columnists on timeasia.com next week. Remember, culture is what you make it.
Write
to TIME at mail@web.timeasia.com
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