Black Friday, check.
Cyber Monday, check.
Giving Tuesday, in progress.
The Tuesday following Thanksgiving has become known as Giving Tuesday โ a day to support non-profits, get involved in your community, and generally give back during the holiday season.
Here are seven simple or no-cost things you can do to get in the spirit this Giving Tuesday:
1. Volunteer in your community: Find a community group or charitable organization and lend a hand. If thereโs nothing you can participate in today, donโt worry – take the time to learn about how you can help in the future and make a commitment to get involved.
2. Raise awareness of your favorite non-profit: Help spread the word about an issue, organization, or project youโre passionate about. Leverage social media and your personal network and tell them why itโs an important cause to you. Donโt forget to use #GivingTuesday!
3. Donate blood: Giving blood might not be something that immediately comes to mind for most, but it is extremely important and always needed. What better gift is there than the ability to save someoneโs life?
4. Use your skill or talent: Reach out to local groups to see if your services could be of use to. If youโre a teacher, provide tutoring to a struggling student. If youโre a carpenter, perhaps a family in need could benefit from some home repairs.
5. Donate your credit card rewards: If you have credit card points piling up โ pay them forward. Many companies offer the option to donate your rewards directly to charity. If not, use them to make purchase you can contribute to a community organization.
6. Donate items to charities: Have a winter coat you havenโt worn in years? Take it to a collection site. Animal lover? Donate old blankets to your local animal shelter. From sporting equipment and clothing to toys and furniture, many non-profits would be happy to make the most of your donated items.
7. Donate to your community food pantry: Check and see what needs local food pantries have and help stock their shelves for those in need. It doesnโt have to be canned goods, either. Many local organizations need cash donations to purchase high-demand perishable items like milk, eggs, meats, and vegetables.
Giving Tuesday doesnโt have to be a one day event. If your day is jam-packed, donโt panic. The whole purpose is to focus a bit less on the hustle and bustle of the season and a bit more on charity and kindness. We all have something to give โ get creative, be kind, make an impact, and have a wonderful Giving Tuesday!
