Giving Tuesday

We’ve all heard of Black Friday, it follows American Thanksgiving and used to be a shopping phenomena embraced by our neighbors to the south. More recently, there has been an increase in Canadian Black Friday shopping deals; all part of driving consumerism and the economy. Black Friday is followed by Cyber Monday and now, Giving Tuesday.

Today, Tuesday November 27, 2012 charities, families, businesses and individuals are joining forces to change the way people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season.

One way of doing so that is both convenient and effective is to pick a registered Canadian charity and donate electronically.  If you’re not sure if a charity qualifies, visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html and check them out for yourself.

Another great way is to purge your pantry and cupboards (always a good idea) for canned goods and non perishables such as pasta, dried beans or legumes and donate them to a local food-bank or food drive. This time of year, going into the holiday season, charitable organizations can always use a helping hand.

Never underestimate the benefit of giving of your most valuable resource, your time. Volunteer with a charity, food bank or soup kitchen in your city and make a difference. Get the kids involved. Great lesson in giving!

We are blessed to have so much, a simple $5 donation or grocery bag of canned goods can go so far, if we all choose to make a difference.

If you can read this post, you are so fortunate. It means you can read, you have internet access and access to a medium to view this post (either a computer, phone or tablet).

Take a minute, and make a donation.

Special thanks to our friends at fatekeep.com for the heads up on Giving Tuesday.

Watch the Giving Tuesday video here.

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