The Importance of Community Involvement and Non-profit Organizations

By Biff Chrisman, TLC Board Member

Winton Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” It is easy to get caught up the hustle and bustle of our lives and simply look past non-profit organizations and the benefit they provide to our communities. These benefits are far reaching, but can include children receiving better educations, homeless animals finding loving homes, children receiving quality medical care, and people in need being fed and sheltered. These are just a few examples of the many great services that are provided by non-profits. Our community is stronger because of the programs non-profits put in place, and help from the community, both financially and through volunteers, is always needed and appreciated.

We are all constantly adhering to busy schedules and the many demands pulling our attention and time in different directions. The programs in place in our community are only successful because of the caring individuals that find a little extra time to put the framework into place, implement the services, and stay the course to make sure that the mission and vision of an organization are being met. The success of the non-profits in our community can be accomplished by a group of people working together to better the lives of everyone that call the community home.

There are many great non-profit organizations in our community of Boulder County and Longmont that could use your help. Simply look at what is important to you and what you believe in, and reach out and give…maybe from your pocket… or maybe by volunteering an hour of your time to help the organization's effort.  Everyone has needs, what can you do to help meet the needs of others in your community? Our community is only as strong as its members, and it takes a combined effort to ensure the future success for generations to come. 

I have been a resident of Longmont, CO for over 30 years and have seen first-hand the positive impacts that TLC Learning Center has had on both the community and children that I personally know.  I fully support providing all children in our community, with typical and non-typical needs, a higher standard of early education. It is a privilege and pleasure to be able to give back to my community through sitting on the Board of Directors of TLC Learning Center. Being a TLC Board Member lets me give back to the community that I love and call home. I challenge everyone in our community to find a way to do the same, whether by doing something small or something big. Doing SOMETHING is the greatest start.

It is time for all of us to reach out a helping hand and give back to our community. By doing so, we will all wake up feeling better about ourselves, and be happier with the person staring back at us in the mirror. One of our greatest leaders gave us this advice over 100 years ago:

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in”    – Theodore Roosevelt

Being a part of TLC Learning Center is one of the ways I hope to help make the world not just a good place to live in, but a great place to live in. I hope you'll consider joining me in supporting TLC Learning Center, or another community non-profit that inspires passion through their vision of a better place for all of us.