If you made it through Thanksgiving here in the U.S., you probably also made it through the battery of #blackfriday, #cybermonday, and now #GivingTuesday as well. Awesome job.
#GivingTuesday is a brilliant thing, especially on the heels a weekend steeped with heavy consumerism following Turkey Day each year. This week we’ve seen tons of fundraising challenges being met, kickstarters being kickstarted, and the Zuckerbergs betrothing 99% of their share of the Facebook empire to charity.
Here’s an bold idea — how about if we make the intention to be kinder, gentler, more tolerant, more giving all year round? What if #GivingTuesday became #givingeveryday?
There’s an endless assortment of do-gooders out there who need your support. Find your niche, your groove, your passion and budget a personal tithing of dollars, time, or kindness each month to help those whose need is a little greater than yours. Because that’ll most always be the case, and there’s an endless number of ways you can contribute.
You probably hear this a lot, and this post is not anything groundbreaking on your list of “been there, heard that.” But do it anyway. You’ll feel amazing, and the world will be a bit brighter from your #givingeveryday superpowers.
These are a few of our favorites doing Upworthy-level work, who we’re stoked to support (click on any of their names below to learn more):
Committee on the Shelterless COTS
Empowering homeless families and singles to break the cycle and transform their lives.
PLAN International
Working in more than 50 countries around the world to make a lasting impact on the lives of children, families, and communities.
Daily Acts
Creating ripples and transforming communities through sustainabiliyt education, one action at time through education.
KQED
Because Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Downton Abbey, Reading Rainbow, Sherlock, and Bob Ross, right?
Tibetan Nuns Project
Providing education and humanitarian aid to refugee nuns from Tibet and Himalayan regions of India for more than two decades.
Sonoma County Conservation Action (SCCA)
Shaping the environmental issues and policies that affect us here in Sonoma County, through grassroots organizing and education.
California Grange Farm School
Training the next generation of farmers to address challenges of farm prosperity, food security, and ecological stewardship.
How about you? Which denizens of awesome are on your radar that you’re giving to — or plan to in the new year? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.