November is all about being mindful of the blessings we enjoy in our lives. Whether that be a particularly close family, great friends, or a career you love, it is SO healthy to show gratitude! While Thanksgiving may be the holiday that receives the most attention this month, we shouldn’t forget another, possibly more important one: Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday is an international day of giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season. It’s a fairly new movement, created seven years ago, and is particularly popular on social media. In honor of this day, I asked the Genies to name charities that are near and dear to their hearts. Hopefully, you feel inspired to check some of them out below:
Jacqui
“The Star Legacy Foundation is dedicated to stillbirth education, research, and awareness. After my son was born still in July of 2014, I made it my mission to make his existence meaningful. I raised over $10,000 in 2015 for the March of Dimes but I kept searching for an organization that had a larger focus on stillbirth. This past year, I have helped to open a chapter of Star Legacy in Chicago and Gossip Genie is proud to manage the social media presence for the chapter, pro bono”
You can give back to The Star Legacy Foundation here.
Anthony
“The Bully Project. I was president of Character Counts and a member of Breaking Down the Walls, two programs in my high school that were created to combat bullying and promote equality in schools, so bullying and creating a safe space in schools for children has always been something that is near to my heart. After seeing the documentary BULLY, I donate regularly to The Bully Project, which is the social action campaign inspired by the award-winning film. They’ve ‘sparked a national movement to stop bullying that is transforming kids’ lives and changing a culture of bullying into one of empathy and action.”
You can check out the film and donate to the organization here.
Taryn
“I love the Lincoln Park Community Shelter because they make a direct impact on people’s lives in Chicago. They provide food, shelter, and job resources for people struggling with homelessness and I’ve really enjoyed volunteering there over the last two years. They are so welcoming and grateful for volunteers and when you go, you can see firsthand how they’re changing people’s lives and helping them become self-sufficient.”
You can give back to the Lincoln Park Community Shelter here.
Violet
“I donate to the Anti-Cruelty Society every year around the holiday season because it’s where I adopted my first cat/the love of my life, Leonardo De Gato in March of 2017. I love knowing that my donation/my efforts could help someone else find the love of their life at their shelters!”
You can give back to the Anti-Cruelty Society here.
Lizz
“I love the Barn Sanctuary, a Michigan-based org that rescues and rehabs abused/abandoned farm animals. Unfortunately, many of these animals are overlooked and have nowhere to go after being removed from some of the worst abuses imaginable. It offers a safe forever home for animals like cows, pigs, and goats who have never felt kindness – some who have never even touched grass – and hopes to teach the public that all animals should be treated with respect and compassion.”
You can give back to the Barn Sanctuary here.
Janelle
“Best Friends Animal Society – This charity runs the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals. They also spend time building effective programs that help to reduce the number of animals entering shelters. This charity makes it so that there is no reason to kill man’s best friend. 🐶”
You can give back to Best Friends Animal Society here.
Ashleigh
“A charity that will always hold a special place in my heart is the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The Starkey Hearing Foundation provides hearing aids to those in need. This is also Delta Zeta’s philanthropic partner (my former sorority). The most rewarding part about raising money for the Starkey Hearing Foundation was receiving videos from across the world of people given the opportunity to hear for the first time in their life.”
You can give back to the Starkey Hearing Foundation here.
Liz
“This year for Giving Tuesday, I would like to give back to the Alzheimer’s Association. This cause is near to my heart, as both friends and family members of mine have suffered from either Alzheimer’s or Dementia. The association is a great resource not only to learn more about the disease but also raises funds for research, support, awareness, and advocacy.”
You can give back to the Alzheimer’s Association here.
