When do you give gifts? Some typical answers might be: birthdays, Christmas, or anniversaries. But some choose to give more often than that. Bill Clinton’s new book Giving is full of stories about people who choose to give all year around, some by volunteering time, a few by starting nonprofit organizations, and others by giving away possessions, or donating money.

Clinton’s mission in writing the book was to “encourage you to give whatever you can, because everyone can give something. And there’s so much to be done, down the street and around the world.” Clinton himself has traveled extensively as an emissary for the several foundations that he has either established or joined. Along the way he has met some of the poorest people in the world, and some of the richest. In his book he describes the most important lesson he has learned in his travels: that our common humanity is more important than our interesting differences; that every life should be valued the same. Obviously, the world does not mirror this idealism. But he details numerous opportunities that are easily available to people who believe in taking responsibility and stepping up to help the less-valued members of society.

So much of our culture is saturated with stories of self-destruction and self-indulgence, Clinton says, that it is important to remember how good it feels to give instead of receive.

There are many easy and inexpensive ways that college students can contribute to the world around them.

If you have $20 to give, Heifer International ( heifer.org) can give you a great way to use it. A $20 gift can purchase a group of geese, ducks, or chickens for poor citizens of developing countries. If you are a female and have $27 available you could join Women for Women International ( womenforwomen.org), where each donor is matched with an impoverished woman in a developing country such as Kosovo. A monthly gift of $27 helps the woman to develop a small, sustainable business within their country.

A gift of time is incredibly valuable, as well. By visiting a site such as volunteermatch.com, you can be matched with interesting volunteer opportunities within your community. Or, you might take time to join Bono’s ONE campaign, which solicits worldwide support toward the goal of contributing 1% of US gross domestic product to help eliminate extreme poverty.

If you have an instrument that is in good condition you might consider donating it to Vh1 Save the Music Foundation, which places instruments in poor schools. Or, less expensive ideas are giving your hair to Locks of Love, or donating clothes to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

In his concluding chapter Clinton tells a moving story about a tradition that is practiced in some African villages. When one person says hello, the traditional response is “I see you.” Every person, if they look, can see something they can do to help another person. Giving is composed of stories of generosity, from the incredible givers like Bill and Melinda Gates whose Gates Foundation has already given away a third of their fortune, to passages about school chess programs staffed by volunteers. College is important, we are all here to better our own lives, but it is a necessity to never forget to see others and empathize with their hopes and needs.

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