“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill
Culture of giving
Canadians are well known for our generosity and caring. We enjoy and find great satisfaction in giving back to the world around us. Research has shown that giving makes us far happier than receiving. The expression to pay it forward refers to when someone does a good deed for you, and instead of paying them back, you pay it forward by doing a kind act for someone else.
No matter how big or small, random acts of kindness and generosity can benefit the giver and receiver.
What can you do to pay it forward?
There are numerous good deeds you can do that are easy, inexpensive, and only take a few minutes out of your day. Rest assured, any meaningful gesture is guaranteed to brighten someone’s day, including yours. Here are just a few examples:
Pay for coffee. We spend a lot of time every day waiting in line at our favourite coffee spot. Next time you’re up to pay, let the cashier know to charge you extra and ask them to put it towards the coffee of the person that is standing behind you.
Buy a meal. The next time you find yourself eating out, or even ordering food in, consider buying an extra meal and then giving it to a person in need. This can provide valuable nourishment for someone and set a great example for others to do the same.
Volunteer your time. Reach out to a local organization and offer your assistance. Whether you are still working and can only make a monthly commitment, or you have transitioned into retirement and would like to volunteer your time more often – it’s great to get involved. There are many organizations doing amazing work in our communities that could benefit from your generous assistance. Here’s a resource to help you find an organization in need.
Donate blood. There’s no end to the benefits of donating blood. Did you know that an hour of your time could help save a life? There are health benefits for donors too, on top of the good feelings that come from helping others. To learn how you can donate and make a difference, visit Canadian Blood Services.
Smile and say hello. If your time or resources are limited, then consider paying it forward with a simple smile and salutation. Learn the names of individuals in your organization who you don’t necessarily work with directly but see in the elevator or early morning coffee line-up. Also, say hello to strangers and smile. These acts of kindness are so easy, and they almost always make others smile as well.
HOOPP strives to make kindness the norm
HOOPP truly cares about our plan members, our team and the community, and we strive to pay it forward. We’re passionate about our collective mission to deliver on our pension promise and we recognize the importance of finding ways to give back to those in need.
In addition to the corporate community assistance we offer, we proudly support and encourage our employees’ generosity through our United Way related volunteering initiatives and other activities. We also hope that your HOOPP pension will help provide you with the flexibility to continue making an important difference in your community.
We can all make a real difference by seeking out opportunities to help others. Every decision we make, every intereaction we have, is an opportunity to make a positive impact. Paying it forward will make you and someone else feel great – give it a try!
Have you been the recipient of a random act of kindness? We would love to hear your story. Email us at at communications@hoopp.com.