debra hall's portfolio: it's all about the community

I truly believe that you can make your community a better community by giving back. So many of us are blessed with talents or spare time (even if it's one hour a month) that we can share with others. I have a knack for being overly organized, planning events, and getting my friends to pitch in (whether it's donating equipment, time or money) to make something happen.

I have chosen to volunteer my time over the past 2 years to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. This amazing new (to Charlotte) organization does not have any personal, deep tie to me except that I desperately feel for these families in need. I have been blessed with amazing parents and grandparents, pretty good health, and extended family / friends who have never had to use the services of this organization. However in that same breath, there are unfortunately so many people that do. And they are people just like you and me.

There are so many things you can do to help out ... simple things, like dropping off rolls of toilet paper, alarm clocks, laundry detergent or a favorite book. Those little things make a house a home ... just like they make your house a home.

While I have baked cookies on a Saturday afternoon or prepared meals for the families in the house, I have also helped raise thousands of dollars to help keep this house going. I have been fortunate enough to co-chair one of their signature events for the last 2 years ... Girls' Night Out | An Evening for Glamour and Giving. I am proud of this event ... not in a "look at what I have done way" but a ... WOW, thank you for donating ... kind of way. It amazes me that people in this community have such open wallets during this financially trying time we're in. Over the last 2 years, we have raised over $39,000 to help support the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.

Below are some fun images from this event. Hopefully this will show you that "volunteer work" can be fun, rewarding, humble ... even glamorous at times!

Girls' Night Out - 2010

{images courtesy of Cunningham Photo Artists}