Happiness Expert Has Proof: It’s Better to Give than to Receive

Community West Foundation

Happiness Expert Has Proof: It’s Better to Give than to Receive

William Baker, Chair, Community West Foundation; David Hessler, Community West Foundation Trustee; Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., Director for the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University and David T. Dombrowiak, President & CEO, Community West Foundation.

Happiness expert Stephen Post, Ph.D., has proof: It is better to give than to receive.

This nationally acclaimed author appeared as keynote speaker at the Community West Foundation’s annual meeting Sept. 9 at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River.

Dr. Post has inspired thousands with a simple message: The act of intentional giving adds to the happiness, health, resilience, creativity and even longevity of those who “do unto others.”

His prescription for personal happiness: It’s Good 2 B Good.

Standing before Norman Rockwell’s famed painting, “The Golden Rule,” Dr. Post said happy people are like those of all creeds, races and faiths in the group portrait: “They focus on how they can contribute to the lives of those around them in some small way.”

: Jim Schlecht, Care Alliance; Paul Sherlock, Board Chair, The Metanoia Project; Eileen Kelly, Outreach Minister St. Colman Church; Peter Schindler, Senior Program Officer, Community West Foundation and Tim Walters, Retired Executive Director, The Metanoia Project.

: Rev. Doug Horner, St. Paul’s Community UCC Pastor; James Johnson, Community Service Alliance Program Director and Aggie Hoskin, Foundation Legacy Society Member.

“Giving,” said Dr. Post, “is associated with that part of the brain that brings joy. When you engage in compassionate, empathetic action, it turns the negative parts of your brain off.”

“We can get to the point,” he said. “where we can connect with that higher power.”

Community West Foundation President & CEO David T. Dombrowiak, phrases it a little differently: “We all have the spark of the divine within us,” he says.

: Community West Foundation Board Member, Dr. James Magisano and his wife, Lois, with Anne and Dr. Jack Palomaki, Foundation Legacy Society Members.

: Mark Biche, The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland and Community West Foundation Board Member Rev. William Murphy.

Statistics prove his point. The 2010 ‘Do Good Live Well Survey,’ states 68 percent of Americans who volunteer reported that volunteering makes them feel physically healthier.

“All you have to do is read Matthew 25:40,” said Dombrowiak (‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’) “It is the strategic plan of Community West Foundation. All we have to do is implement it.”

Community West Foundation’s SocksPlus campaign is an easy way for anyone to get into the giving game.

“Maybe a new pair of designer jeans doesn’t make us feel as good as helping others,” said Dr. Post. “If you could put this feeling in a pill and sell it at the local pharmacy, you would be a millionaire. But you don’t need a pill. It is already in you!”

The message is simple: Give and Glow.

: Trish Rooney, Executive Director, Lakewood Community Servies Center; Community West Foundation Board Member Henry Jacques with Cindy and Mark Bacon, Foundation Legacy Society Members.

: Harry Zilli, Jr., Life Trustee, Community West Foundation with Dr. Robert and Marsha Ebert, Class A Trustees of the Foundation.

: William Oatey, Community West Foundation Board Member and Ken Kasler, Chief of Operations, Youth Challenge.

: From Neighborhood Alliance, Michael McMahon and Connie Osborn, President & CEO.

Socks are the most requested item by the homeless. Community West Foundation launched SocksPlus because socks and other essential items are a gift that is never taken for granted by Cleveland’s homeless men, women and children. They are the item most requested by anyone living outside.

SocksPlus is a call to action! If you are a school, church or organization looking to conduct a donation drive or fundraiser for SocksPlus, contact Community West Foundation. It takes just $10 to supply 10 pair of socks!

Plan a Sock Hop. Hold a Crazy Sock Day at School of at the Office, organize a run or walk for the homeless. Or come up with something completely unique! Community West Foundation, (216) 476-7060. Log on to CommunityWestFoundation.org, too!