REALIZING THE RIPPLE EFFECT
“I know you worked really hard on this, Mom, and I want to be there for you.” – Nina, age 10
These are the words my oldest spoke to me when I said she had an invitation to go a friend’s house for a sleepover on the same night as the fundraising event I had been working on for the past five months. Nina did in fact choose to attend the event with me versus going to the sleepover, and it was a proud mom moment for sure. My youngest, Emme, asked if she could come help me and several other volunteers do some behind-the-scenes prep the week before. That made my heart leap, too.
Aside from those mom wins, I had so many other learning experiences this year as I worked alongside 50 other volunteers as Chair of Fundraising for the Byron Saunders Foundation. I think what struck me the most was my experience of the ripple effect. For most of my life, I’ve been the dominant one in group work (from high school until today – and that DISC assessment only confirmed it!). I’ve held onto a belief (unnecessarily) that I had to directly touch things (tasks, projects, decisions) to get credit for having done it to the standard I keep for myself.
What I learned through this group work was a massive breakthrough. I was able to see how my contributions supported and empowered others. I asked people to join me and didn’t hoard all of the responsibility as I have done in the past. Yes, there was some direct work in there, but through sharing deliverables, I was able to see the magic that those individuals created. I didn’t have to do all of the creating – I was impactful in drafting a high-performing team who amplified the efforts … and the ripple effect was just beautiful.
As a result of this ripple, we were able to raise $75,827 during Dancing with Our Columbus Stars. Well over 500 donors, attendees and volunteers came together to raise these funds. This allows us to provide 5,000 families in central Ohio with a box of food so that they can prepare their very own Thanksgiving meal. If THIS isn’t a massive ripple, then I don’t know what is. I’m brought to tears as I type this because I’m realizing just how many lives benefitted from this experience.
I offer all of this up to encourage you and your workplace to use philanthropy as a major pillar of your well-being strategy and initiative. People need people. And people working together to realize the ripple effect will do nothing but good. It develops leaders. It creates social impact. And perhaps, most importantly, it pours into the hearts of all involved. The mind affects the body and the body affects the mind. This, my friends, is what health and happiness is all about.
The ripple effect shapes and impacts the leader and their family, volunteers, donors, community members, families in need and now you all. I invite you and your teams to lean into the experience of fundraising. Although demanding, it’s been my experience that it’s always worth it.
Need help shaping a winning wellness initiative and your very own ripple effect? Contact us today to continue the conversation.
Author: Katy Tombaugh