Animal shelters in most locations need volunteers to help in a variety of ways with dogs and cats. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Thanks and giving are two words that make the world a better place.

Giving comes in many forms. Without it, I don’t think the world would function as well as it does.

Time and money are two forms of giving. Time is about being available to others—to friends, family, neighbors and strangers. It’s about volunteering for an organization you believe in—be it nonprofit or for profit, human centered or animal based, environmental, political or something else.

Money, well, many of these groups can’t survive without financial support from people like you and me.

Our world is a better place when we all chip in however we can.

No matter one’s circumstances, you probably have an “extra” hour each week or month where you can give back. Maybe it’s helping in a school, walking dogs at the shelter, or checking in on a neighbor. So many groups need volunteers.

Maybe you have the time and money to go to more fundraisers.

Whomever you help clearly benefits, but you will too. Helping others is an endorphin rush of sorts. It feels good to give back, to contribute to the greater good.

Helping others gives you a purpose beyond yourself. It connects you with your community, to others, to the world at large. It’s about coming together for a shared purpose.

Most of us are busy. Most of us have our dollars allocated. But I’m going to call BS on all of that. We should never be too busy to help. Sure, individually we can’t help everyone or every cause. That’s why it takes a village.

We owe it to our fellow human beings, the other beings we share earth with, and those yet unborn to do our part.

Beyond giving thanks this Thanksgiving, think about how you can put the giving into Thanksgiving.