#GIVINGTUESDAY: It’s about these 10 organizations (oh, and 16,000 more….) and the people that make them great
The holiday season is officially upon us. It seems the second (not even the minute), we pack away the Halloween costumes and finish the last bits of leftover candy, and it is full-throttle ahead to January 1st. Don’t get me wrong; I love the every aspect of this time of year and I’m first to join in the celebration. However, I can help but wonder:
In the midst of standing in line to order our Thanksgiving turkey, am I remembering that this very act is a privilege? What about the people for who warm cider, stuffing and cranberry sauce isn’t even close to an option?
With my four kiddos in tow, each anxiously awaiting to see Santa Claus at the mall, do I look up to see the faces of the other families who are experiencing the same joy? Not the one that comes with purchases and gifts but from the simple feeling of being together and being grateful?
Am I joining with the millions of people who put aside the chaos of the holiday season and let’s face it – stress – to actually set aside the time to focus on the true meaning of why we gather together? This meaning being so simple: generosity.
- Girl Up: Help girls in Malawi go to school and have a brighter future. Girl Up is launching SchoolCycle, a month-long campaign (Dec. 2-31) to provide 550 bicycles to adolescent girls in Malawi so they can get to school safely. $125 provides a bike, spare parts, maintenance training and a chance for a brighter future to one girl. Learn more at GirlUp.org/SchoolCycle.
- The Boy Scouts of America: This #GivingTuesday, the Boy Scouts of America will engage all 277 of their local chapters in a nation-wide campaign to raise funds that will go back to their communities in an effort to help build character and reach more youth.
- Stand Up To Cancer: Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) that raises funds to accelerate the pace of cancer research, will conduct a #GivingTuesday takeover of its social media platforms. SU2C invites anyone around the world to participate in their #UNselfie campaign, “I gave 2-day, on #GivingTuesday, 2 Stand Up.”
- Toys R Us: The world’s leading dedicated toy retailer is partnering with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to help bring Christmas joy to some of the 14.7 million U.S. children living in poverty. Through a new #PlayItForward Challenge, Toys“R”Us is asking customers and supporters to take a “selfie” while donating a toy in any Toys“R”Us store across the country. For every selfie shared using #PlayItForward, Toys“R”Us will donate an additional toy to Toys for Tots (or the equivalent cash value up to $150,000), ensuring even more children in need have a toy to open on Christmas morning.
- The Lupus Foundation of America: Joining us for the first time this #GivingTuesday, the Indiana Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America will be working to raise specific funds to provide support and awareness for the community of lupus patients and caregivers in Indiana. Through creative incentives and the use of social media, they are hoping to reach a goal of $10,000 by December 2.
- Thirty-One Gifts & World Vision: Thirty-One Gifts has joined forces with World Vision to help give HOPE to women in need. On #GivingTuesday, for the first 3,100 donations made to World Vision, Thirty-One Gifts will donate a Hope Kit Tote filled with essential hygiene supplies to a woman or girl in need in the U.S.
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: CHCI plans to be a partner organization during #GivingTuesday in an effort to introduce more individuals to our mission of Developing the Next Generation of Latino Leaders. Through the support of donors, current and new, CHCI will be able to invest in creating more opportunities to expand its reach and impact in the lives of young people.
- YMCA of the USA: This #GivingTuesday, the national YMCA will kickoff it’s World Service Annual Campaign. This campaign helps YMCAs worldwide become stronger and reach more people with the resources and services to move families and communities forward. This critical support changes lives through YMCAs working in challenging social and economic environments. YMCAs in 119 countries give people the guidance and tools to create a better future for themselves and their families.
- United Methodist Church: UMC developed a huge campaign around #GivingTuesday in 2013, and are looking to top it this year! They will focus all their efforts on reaching people through social media to share how their churches can participate in global giving this holiday season.
- Environmental Defense Center: EDC’s #GivingTuesday campaign will be integrated with their 2014 Year End campaign in support of EDC’s mission to protect and enhance the environment of California’s south central coast through education, advocacy, and legal services. EDC empowers community-based organizations to advance environmental protection through conservation of the coast and ocean, protection of open space and wildlife, and the enhancement of human and environmental health.
