Assignment #4 - A True Gift

Google defines a gift economy as an economic system in which goods an services are given, rather then traded. A gift is usually something given to a friend or loved one to show they are appreciated. Whether it is a holiday, a birthday or just to say thank you, a gift is usually given from the heart with nothing expected in return other than the look of joy on that persons face. Theres just something special about watching someone else tear into a perfectly wrapped present that money just can't buy. An economy that I am familiar with would be my community. At any given time you can walk around town and see a number of kind things being done others with no compensation of any sort needed.

Buffalo is called the City of Good Neighbors for a reason.

Just recently a story on the local news caught my eye. Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity were renovating a house in Buffalo's Fruit Belt neighborhood when they were robbed at gunpoint while on their lunch break at about 12:30 p.m. The two robbers, wearing hoodies and bandannas, jumping out from behind a security bunker where the tools are stored, on 227 Peach Street, demanded their money as the four men sat outside. This was the first time in Habitat Buffalo's 22-year history this type of crime has happened. This is so shocking and saddening to me that people from their own community would do this to their fellow neighbors who are actually doing some good and trying to improve the city. Many of the volunteers are retirees. One of the victims was an 84-year old Clarence man, and this was only his first day on the job. In total the robbers only made off with a little over two hundred dollars, luckily no one was hurt in the incident.

After all these man had been through they still vowed to finish what they had started. They were not going to let what had happened to them deter them from their ultimate goal, to give what they can to their community and help a family that is in need. To me, this is the ultimate definition of a gift economy. The men and women that devote their time and money to help another, asking for nothing in return is truly a gift in itself. If you are able, and have the resources to help others, why wouldn't you? The old adage is true, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You can check out this story from Channel 2 News here.

Most forms of volunteer work can be considered a gift. Weather you are helping out at your local hospital or devoting your time at an animal shelter, there are endless possibilities on how you can give back. The thing that makes a gift economy so special is that no matter how small you think what you are doing is, it can be huge in someone else's eyes, like you cleaning up the dishes for your mom without her having to nag at you, or keeping your side of the room clean because you know your roommate is a little bit of a neat freak. Sometimes the little things really are the best.