By Konstantinas Logothetis, Head of Marketing & Communications of PwC Cyprus and Director of the PwC Foundation
When I visit elementary school classrooms each year for Junior Achievement's Our Community program, I start with a simple question: "What is volunteering?" The kids almost always look at me with eyes wide open and full of wonder. I see the search in their eyes as they process the new word. That's when I explain to them that volunteering comes from the word, I want. I want to be here, I want to offer, I want to spend my time.
And that is the absolute truth. All of us do small or larger acts of love because we choose to and want to. And the feeling of giving is like no other. You feel that you are participating in something bigger than yourself, that you are putting your own little stone for something better, whatever that is.
This year I participated for the third consecutive year in the PwC Foundation Volunteering Days. It all started from an idea of two people, who were simply looking for a different way to give back to society, through their workplace. The idea was immediately "embraced" by everyone and when it was presented to the people of the organization it found the warmest and most positive response. Every year volunteers such as Georgia, Theoni, Stefani, Dimitra, George, Gianna, Christina and so many others put their souls into organizing different actions, so that PwC people can choose the one that represents them best. Actions with the basic component of love and the will to become partners in this whole effort. The measurable result? 13 different actions and 350 volunteers!!!! The unmeasurable result? Lots of happy faces, smiles, warm hugs, pride and endless emotions wandering everywhere. Of the institutions we visited and the shelters that care for stray animals, to the organizations we support for their work and our souls.
For me, volunteering is a lifestyle and a state of mind. Think of it as a social media status. Where someone writes "Konstantina is worried" or "happy" you can choose "Konstantina offers". I was born and raised in a large city of 6 million inhabitants where the poverty and need of some people was more than evident. My heart "cryed" when I saw children begging or people living on the streets. Then inside I made a small promise to myself to help whoever and whenever I can by doing something meaningful. To become a life volunteer.
I am convinced that I am not alone. Life proved it to me, PwC Foundation proved it to me. This whole journey is with people who think and feel like me. Now I know that there are many of us and every year we will become even more. There are many generous people around us who want to share, who want to participate and give. And PwC Foundation volunteers confirm exactly that. They are people of every age and every step in the professional hierarchy and every year they are happy to make a thunderous presence, choosing the action through which they will offer. And believe me they do it with their hearts.
When you offer it doesn't matter what, how much or when. It matters that you do. More or less makes no difference. The difference is that I want, I can, I participate. Gratitude for what we have leads us to give.
So let's think differently. Even a little goes a long way in volunteering. Happy holidays!
