As we head into the giving season, let’s take a moment to recognize why Giving Tuesday is important every year — but especially now.

Why Giving Tuesday is Important I DreaminLace.com #GivingTuesday

Hello there, dreamers! Today is a very special day. In addition to being the first day of the last month in a particularly challenging year and the official start of the festive season, it is also Giving Tuesday. Since I feel so often we talk about the things we want and need for ourselves, I thought today it was important to take a moment to reflect on why Giving Tuesday is important every year, but particularly in 2020.

If you’re not familiar, Giving Tuesday is an annual tradition held the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving. It’s a global day of giving, where communities around the world give back to nonprofit organizations who are so incredibly worthy of support. Having volunteered and worked with nonprofits throughout my adult life, it’s a day I’m very familiar with but notice not necessarily the masses seem to be clued in on.

Every Dollar Adds Up

Charitable giving is an important part of my life and has been for many years now. But — it wasn’t always that way. There was certainly a time when I thought I didn’t have the bank balance to make a difference. As I was introduced to the world of nonprofits, though, I realized how very wrong I was. I also realized the real impact every single dollar donated can have in building a better community.

Think of it this way – if you ask 100 people to donate to a cause and 100 people worry that their $2 donation isn’t big enough to make a difference…you end up with $0. On the flip side, if you ask 100 people to donate to a cause and they realize that while they wish they could give more, they all go ahead and make a $2 donation — you have $200. That could feed multiple families in need for a week. That could help cover medical expenses. On and on.

Why Giving Tuesday is Important

With that in mind, it’s easy to start to see why Giving Tuesday is important and the opportunity it presents to make a positive difference. And yes — Giving Tuesday is important every year. But it’s especially important in 2020.

It goes without saying, the global pandemic has had a major impact on communities and economies around the globe. It has also understandably impacted nonprofit organizations:

Financial support has been limited as many have lost work
Corporate and local business’s budgets for charitable donations have been cut to stay afloat
Nonprofit organizations’ ability to host traditional gatherings and in-person fundraising events has been largely put on hold

So if you have the ability, be it on Giving Tuesday or any day, making a charitable donation is a wonderful way to do something positive in a year that has offered up so much bad news. Every gift has the power to lift your spirits while lifting up the world around you as well. I promise! <3

Why Giving Tuesday is Important I DreaminLace.com #GivingTuesday

NEED AN IDEA OF WHO TO DONATE TO?

While I think it’s especially important to support those local nonprofits in your own neighborhood, here are a FEW suggestions of the many many worthy organizations out there. Talk with your friends and family as well. They very well might know of a charity in your corner of the world in immediate need of support!

BOB WOODRUFF FOUNDATION

Without a doubt, the United States does not do enough to support our veterans. That’s why organizations like the Bob Woodruff Foundation are vitally important as they work to narrow the gap as much as possible and provide support to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

CITY HARVEST NYC

I started donating to City Harvest regularly this spring when NYC was hit incredibly hard by the pandemic. They have worked tirelessly throughout 2020 to feed those in need are incredibly worthy of support.

NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

As we saw many times this year, there is a big need for change to correct the systematic racism that exists in the United States. The NAACP Legal Defense fund is an important organization fighting for racial justice.

RAINFOREST FOUNDATION US

While they might not be in your backyard, the rainforests of South America impact the air you breathe and play a vital role in the health of our global climate. Based in Brooklyn, the Rainforest Foundation is on the front lines fighting to protect this essential natural resource and the local indigenous communities affected by the devastating fires and deforestation of the rainforests.

UNICEF

America has been hit hard by COVID-19, but we have resources others do not. Unicef has really stepped up in a huge way this year to provide PPE, sanitizer, cleaning products, water and more to help communities in need have access to essential resources throughout the pandemic.

WOODSTOCK ANIMAL SANCTUARY

The amount of love, support and medical care Woodstock Animal Sanctuary provides to creatures of all kinds blows me away every year but especially in 2020. They provide a loving long-term home for animals who have survived severe abuse, neglect or natural injury. Their Instagram is also a must-follow!

WREN RESCUES

I discovered this kitty rescue earlier this year on Instagram! Located in California, they do such incredible work to give every feline friend the care and love they need while awaiting their forever home. They even take on challenging special cases such as an adorable kitten who stole my heart named Aela! (She also has an Instagram.)

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