With the new year upon us, we often find ourselves making resolutions to be a better person.  Resolutions include personal improvement via weight loss or healthy eating. But what if we created resolutions that not only advanced ourselves but also made a positive impact on our community?

In 2018, I challenge you to make a resolution to give back to your community. This resolution will not only stick, but will bring you and other people happiness.  
 
A year and a half ago, my friends and I embarked on a journey to give back but also see each other more.  We created "Dinner Club" where we meet every other month over dinner. Each event has a donation aspect and we chose Terry's House as our donation of choice. 
 

Terry's House is a nonprofit hospitality home across the street from Community Regional Medical Center. Terry's House provides housing for families whose loved ones are across the street in critical care. 

Over the course of a year, we have provided countless meals and toiletries to the residents of Terry's House. Our experience has been priceless and it is a resolution we continue to not only accomplish but improve upon.     
 
If you are looking for ideas or guidance on how to give back more in 2018, look no further than Terry's House. It runs completely off of donations and there is no age requirement to volunteer so you can include the entire family in your volunteer efforts.

Volunteering can be fun and easy.  First, get a group of friends or family together. Then, at your next outing, order extra pizza for Terry's House or drop off cookies. The sky is the limit.  You can contact Terry's House directly at 559-459-7200.
 
For example, we donated 20 floral arrangements to Terry's House in December. We met for dinner at a friend's house and during dinner we took turns creating floral arrangements. We wanted to add a little cheer to the resident's rooms while they stayed at the house during the holiday season. Plus, it was also fun for us to create the floral arrangements.  
 
Again, I encourage all of you to give back to your community in 2018. As Maya Angelou once said, "No one has ever become poor from giving."
 

Best,
Claire Tuttle Meredith