What does CharityFocus mean to you?
We posed this question to some coordinators
and made a banner of their amazing responses.

Just as a rose gives perfume and a bird sings a beautiful song, so it is in our nature to be of service to others. There is that place of love, of light, and of peace within us. As Ram Dass said so eloquently, if I am in that place within me and you are in that place within you, then there is only one of us. CF is an instrument to discover that place.  Ashish 

Generosity in words creates confidence; generosity in thinking creates profoundness; generosity in giving creates love.  CharityFocus has given me the opportunity to create and share this bond of love.  Mallika 

Howard Thurman said, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." CharityFocus is about doing what makes us come alive –  together.  Viral 

CharityFocus has been the name,

from our small beginnings, and

the focus remains the same.

Charity forms a circle,

among helpers, mentors, and friends,

a circle of giving and compassion,

one that never ends.  Anu 

Often times we are so caught up in our daily lives that we feel that we can't even breath or take a quick break. CF provides an opportunity for anyone to take inventory of their life and see what they have to contribute or share, be it money, time, or just a kind word.  Mindy 

Service doesn't start when you have something to give.  It occurs naturally when you have nothing left to take.  Nipun 

Service is love in action.  John 

CharityFocus to me is a way of life.  It's a way of interacting and living our lives in ultimate fulfillment.  It is a revolution in the making, a revolution of sincerity, truth and goodness.  It is a vision of how we can all work and live together, a vision of how to make what's really important count.  It is an infinite well of inspiration and a pinnacle of righteousness.  Yaniv 

Happiness lies in accepting life. That moment of pure acceptance gives birth to a flame of compassion that is not about getting, wanting, or wishing, but rather about the most sincere simplicity – a simplicity of the heart that knows no fears, feels no hatred, and manifests the purest spirit of service.   Nipun 

CF  keeps  me  sane.  Pete 

Aristotle taught that civil society is built on conflicting impulses: self-interest, in which we strive to better our lives and the lives of those closest to us, and generosity, where we act on our instincts of goodwill, egalitarianism, empathy, and justice.  We each carry this conflict with in us.  Only the great appear to live their lives in utter selflessness.  For the rest of us, perhaps it is enough to be touched by what Abraham Lincoln called “the better angels of our nature,” to make each point of human contact an opportunity to express respect, consideration, humility, and, where the need exists, compassion and service.  Mark 

When we realize that preconceived notions limit our sense of identity, that is the inspiration for service. When we then see that this sense of identity can be expanded, that forms the foundation for service. And when we finally act in accordance with this grounded inspiration, that IS service.  Viral 

I don't serve to live, because it gives more than one can take.  I live to serve, because the joy of service makes life worth living.  Anu 

I do things to help others to combat cynicism in myself and others.  Hunter 

The act of giving helps us to overcome our sense of insecurity and experience a stronger tie with the rest of the world. Thus it is a powerful tool for personal spiritual development.  Dinesh 

Inspiration is not only a matter of being “pumped up.”  It is, at its core, a deep communion with one’s love for humanity and life itself.  Nipun

True service is a dissolving of the self in order to truly listen to and provide for the wants of others.  When we give from this place of communion, we have awoken.  John 

True giving is when we wholeheartedly drop the idea of the "I," the "me", and the self-serving ego as separate from everyone else. Only when we come from a place of humility and genuineness, can we do something for the greater good of others.  Guri 

Those who can, do. Those who cannot, help others who can.  Ash 

Willa Cather wrote, “That is happiness: to be dissolved into something complete and great.”   What can be greater than living a life of service?  Working with CharityFocus is thus the internal pursuit of happiness, for the greatest joy comes from the greatest giving.  And all the givers of the planet work in the likeness of the one who gives to all.  And there can be no greater joy than to be in likeness with the greatest giver.  Sukh 

Volunteering is work with rewards that surpass money and recognition, and fringe benefits like: no office politics, unfriendly competition, or fear of layoffs.  Hunter 

Inspiration is something that touches our heart and mind and encourages us to venture beyond our boundaries. CharityFocus is a tool of inspiration.   Anita 

Before CharityFocus, the need to serve was present but never "materialized."  Now, there is a channel and a venue for regular folks like me to do their part to help better the world.  As our motto goes, we are in the service of "helping others help others."   I think I have become a better person, a better citizen of the world.  Anu 

CharityFocus has allowed me to understand the true meaning of service, by integrating it so deeply in my everyday life.  I don't think I can ever have a life without service!   Shveta 

From chaos comes order...  From a chaotic world comes a collective order (CharityFocus) that strives to do what it can to make the world a better place.  Randy 

CharityFocus work fills my heart with the love and transforms me as I witness the grace of human spirit that lies within the people we reach for and work with.  Susan 

Service is surrender.  The more we give, the deeper we are allowed to reach in and experience the true nature of giving.  As we come ever closer to the source, no wealth is attained.  It is surrendered.  In its surrender lies all wealth.  John 

The genius of CharityFocus is not found in the (truly wonderful) websites its volunteers produce; it is that by operating collectively, we create a mechanism through which each of us can act in the service of others.  The service of each volunteer in turn creates opportunities for others to serve.  The effect is cumulative and, as CharityFocus continues to grow, awesome to contemplate.  Mark 

Service is a prerequisite to appreciation – one never quite realizes how blessed they are, until they try to employ their gifts in the service of those less fortunate.  Shuba 

Service is the connection of self to the world.  Anita 

CharityFocus has meant everything to me. It has inspired me to reassess the priorities in my life around what is most important:  love, joy, and bliss. CharityFocus has served to remind me that service is the highest bliss.  Jonathan 

Service is the passing of the flame so that we can all walk together in a world full of light.  John 

In volunteering with CF, I feel like I get as much as I give. Whether it is through inspiration or the good deeds of others, the organization recharges its volunteers' energy all the time, and CF volunteers are constantly inspiring one other to reach for greater heights. I can't imagine a better recipe for successful and happy volunteerism.  Liz 

Little nameless acts of kindness and generosity put the stamp of divinity on the document of human life.  Mallika

What does CharityFocus mean to you?
We posed this question to some coordinators
and made a banner of their amazing responses.

Pictures:   Volunteers & Friends  |  Shabaz  |  Art of Inspiration