The Holidays are always a time of reflection and self-evaluation. It’s the time of year where many celebrate family and good fortune, and for others, its the amplification of losses and desires unmet. Over the years, Thanksgiving has become the symbol for early Christmas shopping with Black Friday and CyperMonday launching the season. Those who are less fortunate are often stuck working on Thanksgiving Day and even longer hours until after New Years because retailers are using extended hours to add convenience for shoppers. However, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for us to honor the working poor who often rely on social services and charities for assistance to get their families through the holidays.
Over the Thanksgiving, I saw calls for boycotts of various retailers in response to the poor working conditions, discrimination, and unlivable wages that many service employees face in order to ensure the majority of Americans have less wait time standing in line. Feeling guilty for being more fortunate or ignoring the suffering of others is not the solution, but the National Day of Giving which is the first Tuesday after Black Friday can be your way of honoring those who have the least. Today is Giving Tuesday, and do you want to miss out on an opportunity to kick off the season of goodwill?
According to Whitehouse.gov,
Started by the United Nations Foundation and the 92d Street Y, #GivingTuesday builds on the American tradition of giving back but uses technology to give this greater impact. This commemoration does not seek to coordinate funds toward any particular nonprofit or to direct volunteers to support a specific cause. Instead, #GivingTuesday is intended to encourage Americans to reflect and give back. It’s a collective moment for individual and community action.
#GivingTuesday has significant momentum. More than 7000 partners across all 50 states are taking part. This includes large corporations and small businesses, faith-based organizations and secular nonprofits. This year, cities are stepping forward to galvanize the movement. They are celebrating local causes through unique campaigns like BMoreGivesMore in Baltimore; #GivingTuesdayBucks in Bucks County, PA; and #GivingTuesdayPHL in Philadelphia. In all these communities, nonprofits, businesses and government are collaborating to raise awareness and drive funds for those in need.
With Giving Tuesday, there is no standing in line because you can make a donation to your favorite charity via cell phone or computer. Maybe, you are short of cash because you spent too much money on Black Friday and CyperMonday. Today, could be a perfect opportunity to do something nice for someone, volunteer, clean out your closet for a clothing donation, take cans to the food bank, or sending out an encouraging e-card.
The point I am trying to make is find a way to give to someone else today. If you don’t have monetary capital to donate, social capital is just as good. Let Givingtuesday.org know how you are celebrating. You can send tweets using the hashtag #givingtuesday or make a post on their Facebook Fanpage.
