Why Donating Matters
Ana Rose O’Halloran is the Communications Coordinator for Center Theatre Group’s Development Department.
This past week, I cut off 14 inches of my hair for the second time in my life and donated it to Locks of Love. This non-profit organization uses donated hair to create wigs for children who suffer from medical hair loss because of alopecia or cancer. My parents have always taught me the importance of helping others and have donated to non-profits my whole life. They have instilled the importance of lifelong giving in me, which is why I donate my hair and make contributions every few months to my undergraduate university and a homeless/women’s shelter down the street from where I live. I think this is part of the reason why I love working in development at CTG so much. I am able to help raise money for something that I love - theatre. Donating my hair made me wonder what other people who raise money for a living choose to support when they make donations.
A few weeks ago, several CTG staff members held a very successful bake sale to raise money for National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I also conducted an informal survey amongst some of the Development staff and there seems to be several common causes that receive donations from them - alma maters, art organizations, health organizations, human rights organizations, and pet organizations (there are a lot of animal lovers in Devo). Most surprising to me, is that there were several people in our department who donate to CTG! Not only do they work long hours, but they reinvest part of their paycheck into the organization because they believe so strongly in our mission.
A few weeks ago, when I informed the department that I had been growing my hair out to donate it, my boss Liz said that if I wrote a blog about my donation she too would become a CTG donor. So, I am happy to report not only did I donate 14 inches of my hair to a child who needed it this week, but I also cultivated a new CTG donor.
Tags: Development
