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It is one of the best days of the year! I love Giving Tuesday because as far as I am concerned, IT IS THE ANTITHESIS of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. As we lead up to the holiday season, we become more and more focused on getting the perfect gift and create the magical experience for our kids. We want everything to be shiny and new, sparkly and bright. Right? So we search for that in a store or on-line. If only I can shop for the perfect thing and they will be happy. Or I just want to get this for or that for as little as possible so maybe I can get something else.
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What about if all you really want to do is give? Giving Tuesday is the cure for what ails you. It began in 2012 and was initiated by the United Nations Foundation. It is a day where charities, companies, families and individuals join together to rally for causes, give back and think about others.
You can also give the gift of books, education, food, medicine, mosquito nets, poultry, livestock, clean drinking water… You name it, you can give it. You can also give money to support the fight against diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer. You can support micro-enterprises in developing countries throughout the world. Don’t have the cash but you have some time? Giving Tuesday is also about giving back through volunteerism. You can commit to daily, weekly, monthly initiatives. You can volunteer for an organization or school. You have the capacity to give your time and talents to those that need it.
I wanted to put together a list of charities and organizations that I believe in and that I feel warrant some attention on Giving Tuesday:
1. No one will know how much I appreciate the care that World Vision Canada gives back. I have written often about them on this blog because I became a big, big fan when my friend and LinkedMom’s partner Paula Schuck went to Colombia to see what great work they are doing. I have also gifted my family with items from the World Vision Holiday Gift Catalogue for the last two years. You can read about the how what my kids got for Christmas in 2014 and 2015.
Burnbrae Farms will donate $20 for every purchase of Hens and Roosters up to $10K! So donate #2Hens1Rooster and they will donate $20 to @WorldVisionCAN
All part of considering #MeaningfulGifts this holiday season
2. Canadian Diabetes Association
The giving season has begun! This #GivingTuesday help us fund essential #diabetes research. http://www.diabetes.ca/…/12-months-of-your-impact-2015-land…
3. Kiva
Kiva lets your donation be a boost for someone’s business. Kiva is a loan that you give to an entrepreneur so they can grow there social enterprise. They then have to pay back the loan. You can also pool your resources so that many can come together for a larger investment. To celebrate the spirit of giving, if you make a donation of $50 or more today, Kiva will give you a $25 bonus to make a loan! But hurry because bonus funds are limited!
4. United Nations Foundations #GivingTuesday and World Aids Day
December 1 is not just #GivingTuesday, it is also World AIDS Day. Here is a great post on 7 Ways to Get Involved… click on the picture to get you to the right link.
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WOW.. this just in…
Today the founder of Facebook and his lovely wife announce the birth of their daughter Max. He wrote a long letter to her and it in he made a HUGE announcement. I had to update this post because Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Pricilla Chan just announce on #GivingTuesday that they will be donating 99% of their shares of Facebook (valued at $45 BILLION) for advancing the human potential and promoting equality.
From Mark Zuckerberg Facebook page:
“Our hopes for your generation focus on two ideas: advancing human potential and promoting equality.
Advancing human potential is about pushing the boundaries on how great a human life can be.
Can you learn and experience 100 times more than we do today?
Can our generation cure disease so you live much longer and healthier lives?
Can we connect the world so you have access to every idea, person and opportunity?
Can we harness more clean energy so you can invent things we can’t conceive of today while protecting the environment?
Can we cultivate entrepreneurship so you can build any business and solve any challenge to grow peace and prosperity?
Promoting equality is about making sure everyone has access to these opportunities — regardless of the nation, families or circumstances they are born into.
Our society must do this not only for justice or charity, but for the greatness of human progress.
Today we are robbed of the potential so many have to offer. The only way to achieve our full potential is to channel the talents, ideas and contributions of every person in the world.
Can our generation eliminate poverty and hunger?
Can we provide everyone with basic healthcare?
Can we build inclusive and welcoming communities?
Can we nurture peaceful and understanding relationships between people of all nations?
Can we truly empower everyone — women, children, underrepresented minorities, immigrants and the unconnected?
If our generation makes the right investments, the answer to each of these questions can be yes — and hopefully within your lifetime.”
– Mark Zuckerberg and Pricilla Chan
I had to include this screen shot because I am not sure I will ever see my name beside that of Shakira, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Arianna Huffington.
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For some reason this is the first I am hearing of giving tuesday so I re-tweeted for some of the not for profits I work with year round. Many of them were going to get double the donations raised that day by their boards which I know will go a very long way.
What a great way to shop. I like when you can purchase gifts for others and give back at the same time.
We should have Giving Tuesday all year long! What a great idea!
This is really inspiring, amidst of getting ourselves caught up with all these crazy sales we shouldn’t forget to share our blessings. Mark Zuckerberg’s is pretty amazing!
I love the Giving Tuesday. It reminds us about the true meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday season.
I have used Kiva before and it was such a rewarding experience. I really recommend it for those looking for give!
I had no idea that the family of Mark Zuckerberg from Facebook had coordinated something so powerful. these are truly inspiring ways of giving. That is really what out world should focus on and it is so enlightening!
Christmas is all about sharing. What a wonderful way to give back.
I think it’s genius! I’m really glad people are focusing on giving at times like these.
I think #GivingTuesday is a great idea!! I gave to one of my favorite organizations today!!
Thank you for sharing this fantastic list of organizations that give back. I agree with you! The donation from the Zuckenburg’s is amazing. What a gesture.
I love Giving Tuesday! Although I give all year long when I can, I think its wonderful to have a day for it and give people that extra little push to donate and do what they can! This all great, I’ll be sharing!
What a nice way to start the month. These are some great ways to give to those in need.
The true essence of Christmas is sharing . Thank you for this act of kindness.
I think Giving Tuesday is the best idea! We need more of this and less Black Friday death matches.
This is such a great campaign. I didn’t do much if any shopping this weekend, but I did buy a few items to donate to our church collection bins for the holidays. It’s so important to give to those who need it.
This is SOOO Much better than what you can save for yourself! Giving back to others is totally the reason why we should be doing anything. Thanks for sharing!