Good Sunday morning everyone!
Between writing features for Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day and also sharing big service research from the world of academia, #ServiceSunday has been removed from the world of impact interviewing for quite a few weeks. For those who want a refresher, I last spoke with Rachelle Stubby of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation on May 1st - read more of her story here.
Maybe it’s due to the absence of interviews or maybe it’s just because this next organization should be in everyone’s digitalized “bookmarks,” but today, I am doubly thrilled to introduce this next interviewee and organization.
When I was about 15, I discovered DoSomething.org. When I was 15, I fell in love. I was extremely fortunate to be a marketing intern with them at the beginning of this year - dreams do come true - and not only was I doing meaningful work, but I was surrounded by brilliant and supportive people each time I stepped into the office.
I could write hundreds of posts of about this organization, but instead, I’m going to let DoSomething’s inspiring leading lady do the talking.
Without further ado, allow me to introduce to you all Aria Finger.
Organization: DoSomething.org
The Interview:
Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion: give me a “Happiness is!”
Aria: “Happiness is being outside in the sunshine with all of your favorite people.”
Liz: Tell me a little bit about your organization.
Aria: “DoSomething.org rocks. We get to work with 5+ million amazing young people every day and help them find awesome campaigns that make the world a better place. We don't care what your cause is - just take action! Whether its donating jeans to the homeless, stopping cyber-bullying at your school or promoting organ donation, it's our job to come up with super impactful and fun campaigns that are relevant to high school and college students.”
Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?
Aria: “Personally, I'm at DoSomething because I'm selfish. I know myself and I wouldn't be as fulfilled if I was at an organization or company I didn't believe in. Being at DoSomething, I not only get to see the incredible things that our members do, I also get to work with incredibly smart and fun and kind people. What could be better?”
Liz: What does “service” mean to you?
Aria: “It means we are all lucky in some little way and so we are required by humanity and by gratitude to pay it forward.”
Liz: How can people get involved?
Aria: “Head over to DoSomething.org, download our app in the app store, or text JOIN to 38383.”
Liz: Anything else you’d like to add?
Aria: “Thanks, Liz, for being an awesome inspiration! (Seriously. Keep that in)”
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This concludes another #ServiceSunday. (And thank you to Aria for the kind shout out that I did include). I hope you take some time today to explore the DoSomething website and find an opportunity that makes sense for you. Everybody wants to make a difference but so many of us are unsure of how to do that. DoSomething makes that easy - almost to the point of leaving us with #noexcuses.
Spend some time exploring the different campaigns on their website or download their new app. Most importantly, though, never doubt your ability to make an impact on this world.
As for me, I’ll see you next Sunday as I highlight another phenomenal example of humankind.
Love always,
Liz
Looking to nominate an individual or organization that you know? Reach out to The Smile Project on social media or by filling out the contact form here.
Bonus Question:
Liz: Do you have any last advice?
Aria: “Best advice? Be grateful. All these people out there who think that they work hard and deserve what they get, well....there are LOTS of people out there working hard and some are rewarded and some aren't. I'm not very religious or spiritual or anything like that but I think we should all be epic-ly (probably not a word??) grateful for what we have.”
