Kim BrattainFounder/ CEO, Kim Brattain Media · Award-winning Corporate and Documentary Film Producer

National Philanthropy Day with Joan Zimmerman | Motivational Video

31 Mar 2023 · 2 min

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2:05

In this motivational video, Joan Zimmerman shares her extensive involvement in charitable work, highlighting her personal connection to veterans stemming from her childhood in England during World War II and her work with Veterans Bridge Home. She also describes her support for Dress for Success, emphasizing that the organization not only provides interview attire but also teaches interview skills and confidence‑building techniques for women seeking employment. Zimmerman challenges the common perception that philanthropy is solely about monetary donations, arguing that true philanthropy includes giving time, expertise, talent, and everyday help to neighbors. Citing Madame Curie’s reminder to focus on what still needs to be done, she urges philanthropists and community members to look forward and act on unmet needs, positioning future‑oriented action as the path forward for positive change.

Chapters

I'm Joan Zimmerman, and I'm involved in too many things. Some of my favorites are Dress for Success, Veterans Bridge Home, good friends, my church, and the list goes on. I am involved with Veterans Bridge Home because I grew up in England during World War II, so I have seen what war does to people. When veterans come home, the men and the women, to their families, and what it does to them, not just during the war, but most especially if they're lucky enough to get home, what happens when they get home. Dress for Success is another amazing organization. The fact is, Dress for Success doesn't just dress women for interviews. They teach them the skills. They teach them interview skills. They help them learn the things that they need to know to do the job that they're applying for. And yes, they do give them several outfits to boost their confidence. People seem to think that philanthropy is about money. Philanthropy is about giving, and it can be giving your time, your expertise, your talents. It can be helping your neighbor. It can be so many things. That is philanthropy. Madame Curie said, we never look at what has been done. We always look at what still needs to be done. So if the philanthropists and the people who are interested in this community and the world, that is the path forward. What Needs to be done. Not what has been done, what needs to be done.