Giving back

So I'm getting off to a late start this week, but there's a very good reason for that.
This morning, I went up to New Haven for a meeting with some intensely cool people. They all work with an organization called NeighborWorks New Horizons. Collectively, they engage in neighborhood revitalization and provide safe, affordable housing for qualified citizens.
Now, you may be wondering if this has anything to do with writing. It does. Over the next few weeks, I'll be helping them share their message by doing interviews and writing stories that can be used in marketing campaigns and related material.
What's in it for me? Absolutely nothing. Well, nothing in terms of payment, at any rate. I am happily doing this on a volunteer basis. I'm doing it to help others -- to give back to the community. I'm doing it because I want my writing to matter. I've always wanted it to matter -- and I've always figured that if something I write helps even one person, if it changes their life in some small way, or makes them stop and think about something, I've done my job.
I found out about this opportunity through an awesome organization called Catchafire. It matches volunteers who have specific skills with organizations that need those skills.
As writers, we have a very valuable skill. I urge you to find a way to share it -- even if you only have a little bit of time.
With that, Happy Holidays everybody. And until next time, "That's life..."