#GivingTuesday

For anyone who hasn’t heard of this don’t feel badly. It’s only been around since 2012. This annual holiday, which falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, was launched by the 92nd Street Y in New York City and the UN Foundation to encourage philanthropy and charitable giving on social media. There are now 98 countries that celebrate it.

These days it sometimes seems like social media is doing more harm than good. Whether it’s cyber-bullying or the dissemination of fake news, arguing over politics, or simply causing general malaise due to all the negative news out there—-#GivingTuesday is a perfect example of how social media can effect positive change. 

While big companies like Facebook and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are partnering up and having huge fundraisers through which you can donate: https://nonprofits.fb.com there are other simple ways you can contribute.

1. Donate to a local nonprofit. You can visit fundraising platform Razoo at  https://givingtuesday.razoo.com They have a database of nonprofits searchable by category and location. Puerto Rico is still in desperate need of help after being slammed by Hurricane Maria. If you visit https://hispanicfederation.org/unidos you’ll find they’ve made it very simple to donate starting at $15. The Red Cross is also still looking for hurricane relief so stop by their site at http://www.redcross.org If you’re going grocery shopping today, you’ll see the Salvation Army already has its bell ringers out. This is where I made my donation today. Since my husband and I are both disabled it wasn’t much, but they’re appreciative of any amount, no matter how small. You can even volunteer to be a Bell Ringer yourself at https://www.registertoring.com

2. This day isn’t just about cash donations. If you have a favorite cause or organization, call and see if they need any volunteers for the holiday season. You can pick up trash in a local park, walk dogs at an animal shelter, or read to seniors and children at your local library, find out if an elderly or disabled neighbor needs assistance. 

3. Spread the word about the importance of charitable giving and philanthropy via your social media accounts. Just in the US alone, approximately 80% of the adult population is on social media. You can share your philanthropic values as easily as posting a status update.

4. And finally, give back to the people in your life. If you can, reach out to friends and relatives who you may not have talked with in a while. See how they’re doing, tell them you love them. There’s a reason why suicides are so prevalent this time of year. Sometimes a person who’s in emotional or physical pain feel as though they’ve been forgotten. Let them know they matter.

It’s not how much we give but how much love we put in the giving.

~ Mother Teresa ~

And to all you wonderful bloggers, I’m sending you one of these:

Thank you for your kindness and generosity. You all make my life more meaningful!