One of the things that makes the ALA Cyber Chapter unique is that our members are spread across the country. While we may not share the same office, city, or community, we all share something important: the ability to make a difference through service.
The Cyber Chapter’s Community Service Initiative was founded on a simple idea: volunteerism doesn’t have to be a large-scale event to create meaningful impact. Small acts of kindness and service, performed consistently, can strengthen our communities, improve workplace culture, and inspire others to get involved.
Many people think volunteering requires a big-time commitment outside of work, but it can also mean helping during the workday. Even small gestures can benefit local charities and community organizations while fostering a culture of services within your office. Best of all, anyone can participate regardless of time, money, or location.
Here are a few ways to make a difference from your workplace:
Create a Collection Drive
Organize a small donation box in a common area for school supplies, pet food, toiletries, books, or canned goods. Invite coworkers to contribute over a week or month and deliver the items to a local nonprofit.
Write Notes of Encouragement
Spend a lunch break creating thank-you cards for first responders, healthcare workers, military members, teachers, or residents of senior living communities. A simple handwritten note can make someone’s day.
Share Your Skills
Volunteer your expertise. Whether it’s helping a colleague learn a new technology tool, mentoring a new employee, reviewing a resume, or speaking to students about your profession, sharing knowledge is a meaningful form of service.
Support a Community Cause as a Team
Choose one local organization each quarter and identify a small project your office can complete together. This might include assembling hygiene kits, packing food baskets, or collecting holiday gifts.
Participate in Micro-Volunteering
Many nonprofits offer opportunities that take less than 30 minutes. Examples include reviewing scholarship applications, creating care package labels, participating in advocacy campaigns, or completing virtual volunteer projects. Micro-volunteering was highlighted as an effective way to increase engagement and make service accessible to everyone.
Whether you’re organizing a food drive, mentoring a student, delivering donations to a shelter, or helping a neighbor, your story may encourage someone else to take that first step toward serving.
It’s easy to underestimate the value of a single act of kindness. Yet when dozens of Chapter members each contribute an hour or complete a simple service project, those efforts add up quickly. The Cyber Chapter’s vision has always been that even small contributions, multiplied across our membership, can create a significant impact in the communities where we live and work.
As we focus on supporting veterans this quarter, remember that making a difference doesn’t require a full day of volunteering. Small acts of gratitude and service can have a meaningful impact. Whether you spend 15 minutes writing thank-you notes, assembling comfort kits, donating professional clothing, assisting a veteran with career preparation, or supporting a military family, your efforts help honor those who have served our country.
We encourage all Cyber Chapter members to find one small way to support veterans in their local communities and share their stories with us throughout the quarter. Together, these small acts become a powerful reminder of what makes the Cyber Chapter special: a community of professionals committed not only to supporting one another, but also to serving others.
After all, when it comes to making a difference, small acts often create the biggest impact.
Please submit your volunteer hours through our Volunteer Hour Tracking Form: Submit Volunteer Hours.
You can also email your stories and photos to kevans@mslawgroup.com. We welcome all submissions, even if they do not align with the current quarterly focus.
Authored by Kayleigh Evans
COO, Mac Murray & Shuster LLP
