December often invites reflection on what we have accomplished during the past 12 months. Hopefully, that review includes moments when we have given back to our families, our communities, our colleagues in safety and health, and to ASSP.
In our profession, giving back is not just a seasonal sentiment; it is a core value that shapes who we are as safety professionals and as people. Whether through time, talent or treasure, every act of generosity sets in motion a powerful ripple that improves lives, including our own. Ralph Waldo Emerson captured it perfectly, “It is one of the beautiful compensations of this life—no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”
This time of year, our mailboxes overflow with appeals for charitable donations. Yet giving doesn’t always require a checkbook. Often, it begins with the simplest and most valuable resource we have: our time and attention. Many ASSP members devote countless hours to mentoring emerging professionals, guiding them through their first presentations, certifications and career choices. These small investments of time create a lifelong impact.
Our members are equally generous in their financial support. Over the past decade, the ASSP community has contributed more than $3.7 million to support the ASSP Foundation. That generosity fuels scholarships, grants and programs that strengthen our entire profession.
That spirit of giving reached new heights in July with a landmark $325,000 donation from the BCSP Foundation, a gift that affirms our shared commitment to advancing worker safety and helping future safety professionals thrive.
This year alone, the ASSP Foundation’s Family Scholarship Program has supported 10 individuals and their families. And over the years, our community’s giving has achieved remarkable impact:
- More than $4.6 million in EHS scholarships awarded to 1,882 recipients
- More than $450,000 in career development grants benefiting 575 professionals
- More than $1.1 million invested in additional programs designed to mobilize a future-ready workforce
- More than 50,000 people directly engaged through ASSP Foundation initiatives
These figures represent far more than numbers; they reflect a shared commitment to advancing safety, supporting one another and building a stronger future for our profession.
That same spirit of generosity shines through our members nationwide, with chapters across the country leading countless efforts to give back. For example, our New Jersey Chapter supports the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, while our South Texas Chapter participates in Safe Kids San Antonio. Our Northeastern Illinois Chapter volunteers at the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and our Long Beach, Orange County and Los Angeles chapters host annual beach cleanups. Many others contribute through Habitat for Humanity builds and community safety outreach, reflecting the caring spirit at the heart of ASSP.
Organizations such as Safety for Nonprofits (S4NP), with whom ASSP has a formal memorandum of understanding, further extend this impact. Through volunteering, training and collaboration, S4NP connects safety professionals with nonprofits that need their expertise most, helping strengthen entire communities by improving safety where it is often most needed.
One of my favorite books, Die Empty by Todd Henry, challenges us to leave nothing undone, to use our creativity, passion and skills in service to others. Giving back is how we live that idea. Each person we mentor, each community we support and each young professional we encourage helps ensure that when our careers end, our impact continues.
As the year closes, take a moment to consider:
- Who has given to you this year?
- How have you given to others?
- What might you give next?
When we give wholeheartedly and with good intentions, we set in motion a powerful force. Regardless of our circumstances, each of us can have a positive impact on others. Giving back isn’t a one-time gesture; it is a lifelong habit that strengthens our profession and our communities alike.