Power for the Cause—Thrivent Financial Volunteer Excellence Award recipients talk about what drives their efforts, and why each cause is near and dear to their hearts.

Kristine Mogollon has learned that it doesn’t take a lot of time or skill to make a difference in someone’s life. It just takes giving a little of yourself.

One of Mogollon’s favorite volunteer activities is the free tax assistance she can provide to low-income individuals and families through AccountAbility Minnesota.

“It’s the immediate results,” she says. “They bring in the paperwork and a half hour later we’re able to tell them they’re getting money back. These aren’t complex forms, but if they were to have their taxes prepared by a paid preparer, who charges by the form, they could spend up to $300 for something we can do for free.”

Mogollon spends the majority of her volunteer time on activities that allow her to share her finance talents and business knowledge with others. She serves as both a personal finance instructor and success coach for a Faith in the City initiative in Minneapolis’ Phillips Neighborhood. She’s also involved with BestPrep, a non-profit organization that prepares Minnesota students to be successful in the business world. She’s a mentor during the school year through the organization’s TechCorps program, and also participates with BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture, a summer camp where students learn about business, investing and career opportunities. She was a resident business leader in 2005, and more recently served as a mock interviewer and business plan judge. She also is a member of the program’s advisory and curriculum committees.

“I had the opportunity this year to help develop the curriculum for the financial literacy presentation at camp and for the classrooms,” she says. “It was fun helping them learn to budget and to encourage them to save. Even if it’s a couple bucks a day, it’s important to put that away. They don’t realize how that will add up over a lifetime.”

Junior Achievement, the Children’s Home Society & Family Services’ Rockin’ Readers tutoring program, Habitat for Humanity, the House of Charity, Cheerful Givers, the Dragonfly Project and Lutheran Social Services also are recipients of Mogollon’s time.

“I want to give back,” says Mogollon, who has always volunteered but not to the extent that she has since coming to Thrivent Financial three years ago. “I especially want to promote financial literacy and self-sufficiency. It’s not a hand-out, but rather it’s a hand-up; I want to help people help themselves.”

While Mogollon focuses on financial literacy, she encourages others to find their niche. It may be simply assembling gift bags for a shelter or sorting food at a food shelf.

“Most organizations just need people with willing hands who can give an hour or two here and there,” she says. “They don’t expect you to bring a host of special talents or to commit to something like it’s a second job. They just need you.”