I volunteer to end homelessness for many reasons. But first and foremost because I’ve been in a place in my own life where I’ve needed a helping hand. I understand how hard it can be to be in a position of need. It can be difficult to ask for help and even more so to accept it. Volunteering fills my heart and soul with love. The purpose of helping others is embedded deep within me. I’ve always been one to offer help to friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers, etc.
When I volunteer for non-profits like the Lucky Duck Foundation, it puts my “problems” into true perspective. And, when I have the opportunity to serve someone who doesn’t have a home, car, or even know where their next meal is coming from, it makes my “problems” really feel like inconveniences. And I realize how good life has been to me – including the adversity that’s been thrown my way.
Simply stated, volunteering gives me purpose, soothes my soul, grounds me, and allows me to live in gratitude and appreciation for all the many blessings and fortunes in my life. I’m compelled to share those blessings more now than ever before.
Why I Started BLSSD (Business Leaders Serving San Diego)
Between 2018-2019 I was unexpected health challenges nearly ended my life. Since then, I’ve been extremely fortunate to rally back into a place of health and abundance. With that, I look back on my lowest of lows and know in my heart that I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today without massive help and love from God, my family & friends. There’s a plan for my life that is starting to reveal itself (and I may not have started walking this path without the adversity that I faced).
Having a new lease on life (or second chance) has opened my eyes to what it is I’m meant to do with the remaining time I have on this Earth. And I’m meant to help those in need.
In August of 2019, I was offered employment at Insperity where the company mission statement is “To help businesses succeed so communities prosper.” I took this mission and made it my own, by flipping the script so to speak and putting the community first, and finding ways to expand my business network along the way. I literally sat up in bed in the middle of the night with the idea to create a local community group with my existing network with the intent to bring like-minded individuals together to simply go out and serve others…the next morning BLSSD was born.
BLSSD is now a growing group of 60+ business professionals. We’re quickly gaining momentum and transforming our community. We’re volunteering 2 – 3 times a month across various non-profits in San Diego and my goal is to have 200+ members by the end of 2021.
Why Share Your Luck and Volunteer to End Homelessness?
Why not share your luck? When you give without the expectation of getting anything in return, you create a void in the universe to be filled with goodness. We’re meant to share our fortunes with others. I think it’s easy to lose sight of that in today’s society.
So many of us burn ourselves out working jobs we don’t like, to buy things we don’t need, to impress people whose opinions of us shouldn’t even matter. When (in my eyes) we should be focused on spreading our “luck” with those who are less fortunate.
When I was first introduced to the people at the Lucky Duck Foundation, we immediately connected through our aligned values. We will continue to collaborate on how to find new and innovative ways to help those in need and to help raise those same human beings out of poverty and into abundant lives. If you’re not giving, you’re taking…I’m a giver.
Are You Interested in Helping Serve Homeless Individuals in San Diego?
Have you been looking for opportunities to volunteer to end homelessness? We have many different ways to help alleviate the suffering of homelessness. Volunteer, donate, and share what you’ve learned on social using the buttons below. Together, we can ensure the well-being of our unsheltered neighbors. And help them move from the streets to shelter, housing, and a healthier place in life.
This blog post was submitted by Fred Patterson III, Business Performance Advisor for Insperity and founder of BLSSD, Business Leaders Serving San Diego.
