Is it just me or did the Christmas hype start way too early this year? I realize that Thanksgiving is a bit later than usual, but it seems we went straight from jack o’lanterns to Christmas trees.
I’m not a fan of decorating or shopping for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I’m not even a huge turkey fan, but I believe we should respect the bird. Plus Biz turns 5 on Thanksgiving this year. When he was born (after going into labor on Thanksgiving evening) I vowed not to let the craziness of Christmas seep into the house until we appropriately celebrate his birthday and Thanksgiving.
With that said, we’re about to hit that “giving” season where we’re constantly hit with sales at ridiculous hours of the day to buy things we mostly don’t need. Black Friday. Cyber Monday. You know the deal.
Last year I told you about the first annual #GivingTuesday. Well, it’s back this year with a ton more partners and social media ambassadors (including myself). You can also submit a story of impact.
So what’s #GivingTuesday? Here’s the description from the website:
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. This year help us create #GivingTuesday. A new day for giving back. On Tuesday December 3, 2013, global charities, families, businesses, community centers, students and more will come together to create #GivingTuesday.
It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Be a part of a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity.
Last year, Over 2,500 charities, volunteer organizations, corporations and foundations came together in all 50 U.S. states to inspire people to be philanthropic on #GivingTuesday. The result was a more than 50% increase in online donations compared to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving the previous year.
Not too shabby.
In the spirit of #GivingTuesday, I thought I’d share how one of my favorite nonprofits is celebrating the day:
Rally for WaterAid to #doubleit on #givingtuesday
A generous WaterAid supporter has challenged us to raise $50,000 on December 3rd. If that goal is made the money will be doubled. Doubled! Considering the amazing conversations we had on this blog about the importance of toilets and sanitation for World Toilet Day last week, I’m thinking some of you might be game for this challenge. Just make your donation, however much you can, between 12 am and 11:59 pm EST on December 3rd. Find out more about Wateraid and the campaign
You might also be interested in a new report Wateraid just released with its partners, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, and Unilever’s leading household cleaning brand, Domestos. We can’t wait highlights “the stark consequences that the lack of toilets and good hygiene practices have for women and girls.”
Anyone can be involved with #GivingTuesday. Whether you tweet about it, give money or volunteer your time for a nonprofit, I hope you will take a moment to celebrate generosity.
Will you participate in #GivingTuesday?
Speaking of World Toilet Day, today is the last day to enter to win a $200 Lowe’s gift card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
