One thing that I have always been Perfectly Me with is giving back. My Mom told me when I was younger that it did not matter how little we had; we always had something to give. Even though my Mom worked three jobs when I was in high school, she wouldn’t let me work; she wanted me to do community service. Every week, I would volunteer at a hospital, or a homeless shelter, or I would tutor students. If someone needed help, I was there to serve.

This service commitment continued in college where I ran two community service projects and volunteered on others. I also started a community service organization when I graduated called Y-ACT? -- Young Alums Changing Tomorrow. In law school, I ran the community service organization, and I continue my work in the community today. I also work with professional athletes and celebrities who want to do work in the community; I help them set up their foundations. and I help them set up programs.

I truly believe when you help others, you feed your own spirit. I know as we get older, we get busier and it gets harder to serve. I would like to encourage all the Perfectly Me folks out there to try to do something. It doesn’t matter how small.

In fact, one of the small ways I am trying to serve is by recycling. I have made a commitment to recycle. I know that sounds really small, but you know what- - I did not recycle for years. I am so proud because I have my container for my glass and plastic, and I have a bag for my newspapers and card board. I’m sure there is more to do, but it’s a start for me since I’m not perfect, I’m just Perfectly Me.

Below you will find some national resources that can help you get involved. I will also look for interesting service opportunities each month to share with you. If you know of any creative ways to serve, please share them on this page.

Big Brothers Big Sisters. BBBS mentor children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country - including yours. Their mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. www.bbbs.org

Hands On Network. Hands On Network brings people together to strengthen communities through meaningful volunteer action. We are a growing network of more than a half million volunteers changing communities inside and outside the United States. Hands On Network creates and manages nearly 50,000 projects a year, from building wheelchair ramps in San Francisco to teaching reading in Atlanta, to rebuilding homes and lives in the Gulf coast communities. Hands On Network is currently made up of 58 national and international volunteer organizations that act as entrepreneurial civic action centers. Together, we help people be the change they want to see in their communities. Join Us. Raise your hands. www.handsonnetwork.org

Mentor. For more than a decade, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership has been working to expand the world of quality mentoring. MENTOR believes that, with the help and guidance of an adult mentor, each child can discover how to unlock and achieve his or her potential. MENTOR is widely acknowledged as the nation's premier advocate and resource for the expansion of mentoring initiatives nationwide. As such, MENTOR works with a strong network of State and Local Mentoring Partnerships to leverage resources and provide the support and tools that mentoring organizations need to effectively serve young people in their communities. www.mentoring.org

Volunteer Match. Why Join VolunteerMatch? We make it easy for you to find a volunteer opportunity that fits your interests, skills and schedule. For more information, visit www.volunteermatch.org

Volunteers of America. VOA is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through thousands of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities.  Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart — and ultimately the spirit — of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. www.voa.org