Volunteering & Community

Art Therapy Today provides readers with the most up-to-date information about The American Art Therapy Association's (AATA) activities, current news related to the art therapy profession, and announcements pertaining to events or opportunities provided by the AATA.

The holiday season is typically a time to remember good fortune, an opportunity to take stock of blessings and a time spent gathering with loved ones. That’s why, when the temperature in Garland, Texas, neared 75 degrees Christmas day, all seemed well.

I am always blown away by our phenomenal Team LIVESTRONG participants. This weekend’s team for the Austin Marathon was no exception. A crew of 31 team members raised $22,000 to support LIVESTRONG‘s programs and services. We are so grateful for all their efforts.

Travel + Leisure has formed a partnership with GWC to launch a Charitybuzz auction that will ultimately support WaterHealth International.

“Volunteers of America saved my life.” “Volunteers of America gave me hope.” “Volunteers of America helped me be ‘me’ again.”
“Volunteers of America gave me my mom back.”

Eggs are great for dessert.

Sounds absurd, right? No chef lists “poached eggs” on the dessert menu. Here’s an equally absurd statement:

Corporate volunteering is great for employee engagement.

Employee volunteer managers should not state this. I’ve helped over a dozen companies measure the relationship between participation in volunteer activities and employee engagement, or willingness to do more than the job minimally requires. Evidently, most volunteering does not drive employee engagement.

A longstanding supporter of U.S. military personnel, MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) pledged a $250,000 donation to the Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA) to help build the state’s first Fisher House for military families. MGM Resorts joined military and community leaders in celebrating the completion of the Fisher House.

Research shows that employees who are passionate about sustainability at home would like to see those same practices valued at work. These folks are known as sustainability champions and in their case; leadership is a role, not a position. Sustainability champions lead by example, benefitting both themselves and the organization as a whole.