Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday…and, now, after three big days about buying, comes a day of giving – #GivingTuesday. The day, say its founders, is a “global giving moment” in this busy season of consumerism, to remind people that it’s also good to give back, especially to our local communities, at this time of year.
A search of the GivingTuesday website turns up 535 non-profit organizations in Los Angeles that would appreciate your support today (and beyond)…but we have a hunch there are actually many, many more. In our mid-Los Angeles area alone, we have an abundance of non-profits…and it’s likely that each of our lives are touched by one or more of them every day.
They include:
Animal rescue organizations
Arts organizations
Charitable groups
Clubs
Community centers
Emergency responders (police, fire, etc.) support groups
Food pantries
Foundations of all types
Free clinics and medical services
Homeless and housing support organizations
Hospitals and their support groups
Job training organizations
Libraries and their support groups (foundations, “Friends of…” groups)
Music education and performance groups
Museums (large and small)
Schools (public, private and religious)
School parent associations (PTAs, PTOs and “Friends of…” groups)
Social service organizations
Theater companies
YMCAs
Youth services organizations (Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.)
Youth sports organizations
…and a whole host of others.
While we know some people don’t like to be told when to give, it is often nice to have a reminder at this busy time of year, that gifts – and thanks for the gifts bestowed on us by others – come in many forms. So if you’ve been meaning to make a contribution to a group you love, or which has touched your life or the lives of those you know in some meaningful way this year, this is a great time to do so. Also, it will be just in time for end-of-year tax deductions, so you definitely can’t go wrong.
Have a great #GivingTuesday…and help make it a happy day for someone else, too.
