What's your "passion" fruit?

My public radio station was hosting its fundraising drive over the weekend giving out pretty neat gifts and goodies to callers who were willing to call and pledge money to keep the station afloat. Everyday it seems I get solicitations from the numerous non-profits I have donated to urging me to make any contribution as the situation is dire for those at home and those abroad. I, like many in this country, have made many monetary contributions to causes I believe in. From helping hurricane victims of Katrina to earthquake victims in China, from the homeless in Los Angeles to the hungry in DC, from the children of World Vision to the cure for breast cancer. Last year, through the help of my friends, we were able to provide funding to an orphanage in Uganda. It was meaningful to know that we were able to help build something out of nothing. It is easier to think about the plight of others when your income is steady and stable and your home is secure.

As much as our country believes in philanthropy, we are living in some interesting economic times. Bank stocks have plunged to records low, houses are not nudging, let alone flying, off the seller's block, and everyday it seems like another company is laying off thousands of workers, from the furlough of California state workers to the Fortune 500 companies. No one dares to look at their 401k statement or how much they have lost in their stock portfolio. No one seems immune to the harshness of these economic conditions. How can we be philanthropic when we don't even know if we will have our jobs tomorrow?

With the economy going sour, resources are depleting fast. California may not even have enough to give tax refunds and the federal government, well who exactly is going to be paying for these 700 billion dollar stimulus packages that Congress is passing on their "act now, think later" approach? Realistically, how are individuals expected to be generous when we aren't even sure what we can afford to give?

While a monetary donation is in many ways the simplest way for Americans to feel as they have done something good, it is certainly not the only way we can contribute to society. With many individuals unemployed and looking for work, participating in community service and finding a cause that you feel passionate about to volunteer for even a few hours a week can be a contribution that we can all afford to make.

I know many wonderful people who are making a difference in the world by volunteering their time, whether it's reading to kids on Saturday, teaching financial literacy to kids from lower socio-economic conditions, putting together a Valentine's pampering day for victims of domestic violence or hosting monthly parties for children in foster care. It doesn't matter if you have talent or skill, all you need is heart. Of course if you have talent, you can use that to make an even more meaningful contribution. I have a photographer friend who serves as a volunteer photographer for a non-profit and many lawyer friends who provide free legal services to those in need.

When the economy is uncertain and investments are volatile, I encourage you to find something that you feel passionate about and give it some time. We are always going to need volunteers. Any cause you can think of, I guarantee there is something out there. Check out www.idealist.org or www.volunteermatch.org for ideas. When I volunteered my time to interact with kids who are smart but have never been giving affirmation from their parents or teachers, when I helped grandparents obtain guardianship rights for their grandchild, when I helped an elderly gentleman obtain his Social Security benefits, these were acts that simply required me to donate nothing more than my time and my heart but created more of a sense of community than money could buy.

It might take awhile before our stock portfolios go up but volunteering in any capacity is a contribution that does not require us to reach into our wallet and will really allow us to reap the fruits of our labor. So I ask you today, what will be your passion fruit?