Do you have to be a Gates or Buffett to change the world?

I’m amazed at how a few in the millionaire or billionaire clubs have made giving back a lifetime priority. The challenge for the rest of us that live week to week is that we believe we aren’t capable of helping so we don’t. Today I visited one of my favorite grandmas, Faye Grey, who is changing her world in ways that are just as significant as Gates or Buffett. She is a community activist who isn’t afraid of talking to the mayor or governor to see her neighborhood turn around. When a city names a new recreational center after you it typically happens after you have been buried.  My at risk youth nonprofit uses the park that recently had a new rec center built on it and then named it after Faye!

I think those that are involved in doing community work whether it is in your backyard or across the world discover rather quickly that most people are great at talking but seldom actually do much if anything! I know that in the church world we talk about the 80-20 or 90-10 rule. Sadly it reflects on the fact that majority sit and watch the few do all of the work. What impresses me about many of the seniors I’m around is that regardless of age they haven’t retired from life or being a change agent in their world!

So what has to happen for a person to go from being a parasite, sponge or couch potato to being a doer and giver in their community? I know that I watched a dad birth an at risk youth organization because he was fearful of the gangs attracting his sons. This Hispanic dad didn’t have much financial resources but got the attention of the city council in Chandler that ultimately funded his nonprofit. It wasn’t too much longer and other businesses, churches and individuals got involved. The world in this neighborhood was changed because of Henry Salinas!

Don’t misunderstand me we do need the Bill Gates or Warren Buffett of the world to provide means for large world projects. Yet, the reality is that Gates or Buffett are not very likely to show up for your graffiti busting or picking up trash in an alley project. I have witnessed an army that has been raised up over the last 50 years that is changing the face of the world. This group is what I call the ‘senior saints’. Yes these are those who could be retired and on vacation 24-7 but have chosen to live as perpetual volunteers that will drop everything usually to help!

So do you have to wait until retirement to make a difference? I think one of the awesome opportunities for families that are consumed with after school programs and sports is to rethink their activity choices. What would happen in our country if every family decided to give an afternoon a week or once a month for impacting their neighborhood? Imagine the change in heart and thinking of a child that grows up with parents that are doers and givers. What if making a difference in another person’s life turned out to be enriching and actually fun!

Now is the time to rethink your ‘downtime’ and consider volunteering and allowing a grandma like my Faye to teach you about being greater than a Gates or Buffett!