Mother Theresa (1910-1997) is well known for her statement, “Find your own Calcutta.” She believed it’s important for people to find a need they are passionate about and do what they can to help address that need. It certainly is not necessary to travel to the other side of the world to find our own “Calcutta” or to live in the streets or slums like Mother Theresa did.

Our Calcutta can be found locally, but it may take some legwork to contact local agencies to learn of their needs. Some possible sources are MCSA, United Way, Salvation Army, the Y, Muscatine Humane Society, the food pantry, Musser Public Library, schools, Rebuilding Muscatine, Muscatine Art Center, civic clubs, or churches. The goal is to find something that really trips our trigger; something we can get excited about. It doesn’t have to be in connection with an organization. It could be as simple as making a 6 month commitment to pick up litter for one hour each week in different areas of town, knitting caps for newborns, or playing the piano at care centers.

My “Calcutta” in 2017-18 was working with World Bicycle Relief to help raise funds to purchase 1,185 heavy duty, utilitarian bikes for deserving students, farmers, and health care workers in Zambia, Africa who had no other means of transportation. My current “Calcutta” is volunteering with the Muscatine County Salvation Army.

When people are committed to something they strongly believe in they will make the time for it and soon learn it’s not a heavy burden. They have found joy in giving of themselves. As we start the new year, I encourage you to select your own Calcutta. Teaming up with a friend could make it even more enjoyable. There is an organization or project out there that is just waiting for your stamp of approval, commitment, and dedication to help make a big difference. Go for it!

What will be your “Calcutta” in 2022?