Make your time for giving back a yearlong effort

We made it through another year. We survived the holiday shopping, and now wait with baited breath for our credit card bills. We hung our Christmas lights, and hopefully have already put them away. And once again, we took time to give back to our favorite causes, charities and philanthropic efforts.
Each year starting around Thanksgiving, we seem to remember how lucky we are. We donate coats, write checks for disease research or serve meals in a soup kitchen.
But I think, right after the holidays is actually a more important time to give back, because when everybody returns to their normal lives, people still need help.
Make a habit of charity
The best way to volunteer or donate resources is to make a habit of it.
Instead of one big rush at the end of the year — when we remember — why not make philanthropy something we do monthly, weekly or even daily?
This month, Smart Business, Medical Mutual, Capital Square Review and Advisory Board, Hughie’s Event Production Services, GREENCREST and Rea & Associates are honoring the businesses, employees, CEOs and executive directors who are doing just that with year-round community service efforts.
Their inspiring stories remind us all that there is no single season for giving back.
If you or your company is a perennial winner of the Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service or being honored for the first time, then I want to say thank you.
Thank you for keeping community service as part of your mission. Thank you for ensuring that your employees can leave early or come in late. Thank you for making charity something that isn’t just mentioned in a company email once a year.
Keeping philanthropy top of mind
Smart Business has also made more than just a once a year commitment to philanthropy.
With Building Stronger Communities, which runs every month in our Ohio magazines, we’ve shared the stories, challenges and changes at area nonprofits.
I’ve enjoyed finding out how these organizations are helping the community around them, and in many ways it’s put philanthropy and charity more at the top of my mind. So, I can only hope it’s done the same for you.
I know I probably don’t do enough, but I feel like I have been able to give back more. And it wasn’t just writing a check. I tried to compliment strangers and friends alike. I made a point to say one nice thing each day. I tried to connect and share a laugh with other customers when waiting in line at a store.

At the very least, it’s good to give back by spreading cheer, along with our time and resources, all year long.