As a nation our hearts are sad. As a dad of three kids my heart is sad. Many are facing a loss for words in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. As we wait with patience in the midst of grief, news reports, and solutions my thoughts recently went to a subcategory of small business marketing: non-profits. For in a tragedy such as this, we often jump to government as the solution and fix. “Make it right,” we both feel and think. “Fix it now before it happens again!” is the cry. Granted, local, state, and federal government help is one part of the solution, yet my thoughts go to non-profits. Yes, non-profits.
In many cases, non-profits are born out of tragedy. The loss of a loved one from illness, drunk driving, cancer, or other circumstances comes to mind. With many life-changing non-profits there’s a story of both transformation and tragedy. In the midst of sorrow and tragedy, how often do we turn to non-profits such as churches, synagogues, and rescue missions for help? Frequently. The list of whom they serve is endless. We just forget how powerful they are. We take them for granted. Many non-profits were born out of the midst of a crisis. A tragedy turned into transformation.
Let’s not take non-profits for granted.
We need them now.
As a marketing consultant, I sometimes help non-profits. Non-profits need marketing just as much, if not more, than profit companies. They often lack the funding and capital resources available to many small and large businesses. Just simple brand awareness helps. If people need help, they need to know where to turn. As noted, it’s the generosity of those connected to a story and a tragedy that often conceives and supports a non-profit cause.
At the center of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting stands the issue of mental health. Whether it’s a car, a knife, a gun, or a fist that harms there’s a person and a story behind the act. People need help. Families need help. Non-profits help people and mental health treatment and assessment is tough, complicated, and often scary. It’s messy. Mental health is not easy issue and quick fixes can lead to deeper problems.
So to honor the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary, let’s honor non-profits. I don’t know the number but I bet the number, expertise, and resources available from mental-health non-profit organizations is significant. I also bet that many of them are struggling with funds and resources. I bet that many of the mental health experts and staff that work at these organizations look at Sandy Hook and think, “We can help.”
Let’s help non-profits:
- Donate to a local non-profit.
- Volunteer your time.
- Learn about mental health non-profits in your area.
- Donate to a mental health non-profit in the Sandy Hook area.
- Send a card of thanks to a non-profit.
- Remember their efforts.
For an insightful article on the mental health issues related to Sandy Hook, see the following article by a psychiatrist:
http://tinyurl.com/bmlgbms
Sincerely,
Stuart Atkins
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