Dear Reader: I was SO impressed by this group and its founder that I requested an interview. Please read more about their 4/7/13 Los Angeles-area event.
In 2009, having organized the purchase of school supplies for her then 4 and 10-year-old children and posting the event on facebook, Erika, then 39 years old, immediately recognized the innate power of combining cooperation, community and social media. Together with friend Katie Goldman, she decided to put that philosophy to work. Within a few short months, Erika and Katie co-founded 4Good, now a nonprofit designed to match families with organizations in need.
Mindful of creating the right message, Erika sought causes and venues which would be appropriate for both children and their parents. Today, 4Good helps nearly 30 organizations in and around Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley; and can boast a following of nearly 3000 people encompassing nearly 250 individuals who regularly work with them. In 2011, the Athanas Family won the Scholastic Parent & Child Family of the Year Contest. Their celebrity ambassadors are William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman.
Q: Good Day, Erika! I’m so pleased to interview you – I was most impressed with the work you’ve done in just three very short years. Please tell me a little more about what you originally set out to accomplish. What personal experience did you bring to the table to foster this organization?
A: Honestly, I had no experience. I was just a mom who wanted to expose her kids to giving back. I wanted to make sure I was actively showing my children that one’s measure of successes is not only in what you do for a living, but more importantly, in what you do when you ARE living. I want to lead by example by actively participating in my community with my family. Everything else I have just learned along the way.
Q: You are mindful of each and every organization you work with – ensuring that, for example, certain soup kitchens, while in need of volunteer help, might not be the right environment for younger children. Can you say more about this?
A: We try to vet out all of the organizations on our calendar…and believe me there are not that many organization out there that accept young volunteers. Most of the organizations we recommend or partner with are great places for even the youngest kids to participate in. I just use my “mom” instincts to understand what situations are the right fit for 4GOOD.
Q: How have your own children reacted to volunteering with you?
A: My own children have grown tremendously from this experience. They are very kind and compassionate kids, and I believe that because this is part of their fabric, now. They will be better adults for it. I really feel that they will continue to give back in some capacity for the rest of their lives. We have built great family memories, together, all having to do with giving back to our community and those less fortunate than us.
Q: What provides the impetus to continue working in this charitable environment?
A: Knowing that we are providing a way for families to give back. It’s pretty spectacular when you see it in action. It brings tears to my eyes.
Q: What methods do you use for advertising your events?
A: Social media and word-of-mouth. We run on a miniscule annual budget and all of our events are financed by generous sponsors, but there isn’t any extra for traditional advertising. We find that social media is amazing and it continues to bring wonderful people into our organization.
Q: What message do you hope to bring to the children?
A: I hope that 4GOOD helps kids and families understand how important and good it makes you feel to give back. My hope is that the next generation learns at an early age how important these simple traits are. I just want my kids to live in a world with more compassion. I just hope we can learn to slow down just enough to pay more attention to our surroundings, our community and our families.
Q: What message do you hope to present the nonprofit organizations with?
A: I want our partners to know that we care and that there is a huge community which supports their needs and causes.
Q: As a woman in midlife, has the pace of your work slowed?
A: No, not at all. 4GOOD is what I do in my spare time. I work part-time doing something completely different and then I am with my kids.
Q: What is your ultimate goal for this group?
A: I would love to see 4GOOD become a national organization, with many groups all around the country. I would love to help other communities. I would also love to have the time to do more events. We just need more help. Right now, it is myself and another mom – Lauren Toubes, who is our Director of Community Events – who run the day-to-day operations. Our Board members are amazing, too. But there is only so much we can all do.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I would love to be doing 4GOOD full time.
Q: If women are interested in forming a similar organization in their area, may they contact you?
A: Of course. With the article in Parent and Child Magazine a few years ago, we have had many people contact us and ask how we started 4GOOD. I am happy to give advice to anyone who is interested.
Q: Lastly, what are you doing this coming weekend? 🙂
The 2nd Annual 4GOOD Family Day is scheduled for April 7th from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Among the family-friendly volunteer activities will be creating cards and letters for the service of men and women overseas (Operation Gratitude); crafting friendship bracelets for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles; decorating placemats and lunch bags for Meals on Wheels; making fleece blankets for sick and needy children; sewing animal pillows for children and arranging bouquets of foam flowers for local seniors. A 4GOODer Award will be presented during the event to a young person between the ages of 5-8 who has “held true to their vision to launch and sustain their own charitable effort.” The $500 prize will be given in the form of a donation to support their own charitable effort or nonprofit.
This year, 4GOOD expects more than 600 participants to show up. It will take over 150 volunteer to make this happen. For more information about the event, please visit their website: http://www.4GOODcommunity.org