Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/406261
8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2014 letter to readers PRODUCTION PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR-AT-LARGE Chris Jones Jordan, Quincy & Hayden's dad OPERATIONS & MARKETING Heidi DiEugenio, President, HD Solutions Duke & Dane's mom OFFICE MANAGER Nancy Massanat Emily & Kyle's Mom ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Giscard; Jack's mom Jodi Urquhart; Noah & Carly's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom CALENDAR EDITOR Leigha Pecher Jake & Luke's mom CIRCULATION Krista Starosta Nick, Andrew, Kaylin & Kensington's mom COMMUNITY BLOGS Mary Becelia Katherine Laura & Robert Joseph's mom FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Pamela Quinones: Corinn, Michael, Isabella & Dalton TWITTER & PINTEREST COMMUNITY MANAGER Brenda Sapanghila: Archer & Maddox's mom EVENT PLANNING & SCIENCE SATURDAYS Stephanie Maldonado; Julia, Tyler & Aiden's mom parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL adsales@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & RESOURCE REQUESTS E-MAIL calendar@fredericksburgparent.net E-MAIL resources@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540/374-1495 • FAX 540/374-1672 E-MAIL editor@fredericksburgparent.net publisher@fredericksburgparent.net SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, Fred'bg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's stan- dards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are subject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and condi- tions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2014 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. The Positive Feedback Loop I f you are like me, the end of the year marks the time I donate to charities. I have made it a family tradi- tion to give to various organizations in honor and remembrance of deceased loved ones. It makes me feel good to remember. It makes me feel good to give. I equate charitable donations to hugs. Is the donor giving or receiving? Both — it's a cycle. Once locked in a hug, can you tell who initiated the hug? No — both participants give and receive the benefits of the connection and affection being shared. We are a nation of givers. America is the number 1 most giving nation in the world as ranked by the World Giving Index in 2013. Sixty two percent of Americans donate money to charity. Ninety- five percent of American households give to charity, donating an average of $2,974 each year. Of the $300 billion that Americans donate to charity annu- ally, Virginia alone contributes $4.2 billion, making our state the 10 th most charitable state in the union. More than 29 percent of Virginians volunteer their time to help others — also higher than the national average. Why do we do this? Certainly people might reach into their pocket once or even twice simply because they're told to, or to rid themselves of the telemarketer on the other end of the line. But habitual giving comes from a deeper need and emotion. We get more than we receive when we help others. It is an act that yields such personal satisfaction that we are motivated and com- pelled to continue. A 2009 Harvard Business School study may have said it best, "Happier people give more and giving makes people happier, such that happiness and giving may operate in a positive feedback loop." Much like a hug, the charitable giver finds herself in a "loop" receiving as much or more than she's giving. Cheryl Carter is FredParent's Production Manager. Her family par- ticipates with several local charities and encourages everyone to share in the "positive feedback loop." BY CHERYL CARTER