[1]Leading up to the 2004 election, I decided to phone bank for the Kerry/Edwards campaign. What got me in the door was politics, but also, because I hoped to meet someone to date. Okay, a bust on both counts. But it got me in the habit of pro-bono work. On January 17, in honor of Martin Luther King, President Obama is calling for a national day of service. Find an opportunity in your community [2]. Be selfish and become a volunteer. Consider the perks:
1. Learning a new skill
2. Exploring a new neighborhood
3. Cheap way to get out of the house
4. Expanding your social network
5. Feeling genuinely appreciated
Illustration by Justen Renyer [1]