Giving Tuesday: A Day of Global Generosity

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged: , , ,

Giving Tuesday, celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the US, has become an international event dedicated to charitable giving and acts of kindness. Launched in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y in New York and the United Nations Foundation, this day was conceived as a counterpoint to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The idea behind Giving Tuesday was that after days of shopping and deals, people would be inspired to give back. Using the hashtag #GivingTuesday, the movement quickly went viral on social media, uniting people worldwide in the spirit of generosity.

Giving Tuesday has grown a lot since its inception. In its first year, an estimated $10 million was donated through online fundraisers. By 2023, despite economic challenges, donations in the US alone reached $3.1 billion, with 35 million people participating.

What makes Giving Tuesday unique is its inclusive nature. It’s not just about monetary donations – people can contribute through volunteering, advocacy, or supporting local businesses that give back to the community. The day has become a global celebration of philanthropy, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries.

For nonprofits, Giving Tuesday offers the opportunity to gain visibility, attract new donors, and engage with supporters. It’s a day that reminds people of the joy of helping others and the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause.

People who want to get involved in a Giving Tuesday campaign can check out GivingTuesday.org which has official information and updates. The hashtag #GivingTuesday on various social media platforms will also lead to unofficial events and local charities.  

As Giving Tuesday continues to grow, it reminds us of our collective ability to create positive change in the world.

Global Citizen Festival 2024: Music, Activism, and Action for a Better World

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , , , , ,

The 12th annual Global Citizen Festival returned to New York City’s Central Park on Saturday, September 28, 2024, drawing a crowd of 60,000 attendees despite rainy weather. This event, held in conjunction with the UN General Assembly, aims to unite world leaders, artists, and activists in the fight against extreme poverty.

This year’s musical lineup was star-studded, featuring performances by Post Malone, Doja Cat, LISA, Jelly Roll, Rauw Alejandro, Benson Boone, and RAYE. Attendees were also treated to a surprise acoustic set by Ed Sheeran and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who performed four of their hits together. The event was hosted by Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman, with special appearances from figures such as Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall.

The festival focused on three key pillars: Defeating Poverty, Defending the Planet, and Demanding Equity. Leading up to the event, over 3.4 million actions were taken by Global Citizens, resulting in $1 billion commitments from organizations, world leaders, and corporations dedicated to addressing these critical issues. The festival also made significant strides in sustainability, with the stage powered entirely by a SmartGrid battery system, a notable step toward reducing the event’s carbon footprint.

Aiming to mobilize the next generation, organizers offered free entry via their mobile app in exchange for volunteer work or signing petitions, making participation more accessible to young people. A standout moment of the night was Doja Cat’s passionate speech on global injustices, urging attendees to continue using their voices for change. She stressed that everyone has the ability to bring “change, love, light, and hope to those who need it most.”

The Global Citizen Festival continues to be a powerful platform for raising awareness and driving action on critical global issues, blending the universal appeal of music with the urgency of social and environmental change.

All-Star Basketball Charity Game

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There’s nothing like the excitement of attending a live basketball game with your favorite star athletes. What if you could attend a game while also supporting a great cause?

TJ Kidd, the son of Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, hosted the first annual Classic Celebrity All-Star Game at Santa Monica College (SMC) on August 20. The event benefited the HelpCureHD foundation.

Growing up with an NBA legend father, TJ Kidd attended many all-star basketball games. He had always dreamed of organizing his own one day – but with proceeds going toward charity. His childhood dream was realized this month when he collaborated with his friends, sports reporter Allie LaForce and her husband, MLB pitcher Joe Smith, to raise money for their foundation, HelpCureHD. The foundation provides grants for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) for those suffering from Huntington’s Disease. Joe Smith felt compelled to establish the charity after his mother was diagnosed with the hereditary brain disorder in 2012, along with over 30,000 others in the US alone who suffer from the disease.

The TJ Kidd Classic featured famed athletes, including WBC World Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder, four-time NBA Champion Jon Salley, three-time NBA Champion Bryon Scott, and many more celebrities. The game was thrilling, and both the players and spectators had loads of fun. After the game, TJ Kidd expressed his satisfaction with the turnout, and said he hoped to host the event again and to keep it at SMC.

Kimbra’s Guitar Being Auctioned at Banquet

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Kimbra-and-Gotye-at-2013-Grammys-GettyIf you love Kimbra and want a piece of her personal history, then watch for the Hospice Waikato’s Montana Catering Bucket List Banquet coming next month. Grammy award winner and Hamilton-born Kimbra has donated the guitar that helped her get to where she is today.

The Fender electric guitar was purchased in 2002, but Kimbra’s parents, and it was her first serious guitar. It cost $900 at the time of purchase.

Now, it’s going to be auctioned off at the fundraising dinner that Waikato Hospice is having next month. As their chief executive, Craig Tamblyn, said, the guitar should bring in big money. Someone has already placed a bid for $500 when they heard that it had belonged to Kimbra.

Win a Dinner with Ian Somerhalder

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Some lucky person is soon going to be lunching with actor Ian Somerhalder. He just closed an auction as part of the charity appeal he’s created for his animal sanctuary. As part of his Ian Somerhalder Foundation, the rescue center helps abused animals, works on environmental issues and more.

As it describes at the website for the Ian Somerhalder Foundation,

“The global problems and challenges we are facing are infinitely interconnected and co-dependent, therefore our solutions and actions must be enacted in an interconnected manner. There are numerous causes, many campaigns and organizations aiming to encourage change, which includes ending deforestation, planting trees, eliminating pesticides and healing our planet. How many of these organizations or campaigns team up to become a united spirit of change?”

The auction at CharityBuzz.com ran until July 18th. Now, some lucky person will be able to have lunch in Atlanta, Georgia with the Vampire Diaries heart-throb.

As Somerhalder explained his motivation for the project, “There are too many animals that are abused, mistreated, and abandoned. They’ve been ostracised, they have behavioural issues, and they’re starving. It’s just unbelievable what we’ve done to the animals, and I think that’s why this is so important. I appreciate you and your generosity. I will try not to bore you to tears…”

“If we can give animals a home, we can also take the youth of our country and our world – kids who have behavioral issues, bullying other kids, and halting the progression of those around them – and bring them together to learn compassion from one another. If you have compassion for an animal, then you’ll ultimately have compassion for another human being.”

No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament for a Great Cause in Vegas

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Things are heating up in Las Vegas at the moment (aren’t they always?) for a good cause. The World Series of Poker taking place right now includes a no-limit Texas hold ‘em tournament that will last until Tuesday. The tournament has, to date, raised $5.5 million for One Drop, a Montreal charity that supports clean drinking water.

The tournament requires a $1 million buy-in and grew out of a conversation that Guy Laliberte, the founder of One Drop, and Mitch Garber, the chief executive of Caesars Interactive Entertainment had.

Many heavy-hitters are taking part in the tournament, including hedge fund manager David Einhorn. He has staked $1 million of his own money on the charity tournament, which will be awarding $18.3 million to the winner.

Mr. Einhorn’s goal is to donate any proceeds that he wins towards City Year, a Boston-based organization that works with public schools to prevent dropouts.

Other entrants at the tournament from the investment realm include Daniel Shak of SHK Asset Management and Chamath Palihapitiva, a venture capitalist. Last year, Mr. Einhorn lasted until day two of the tournament; in 2006 he managed to finish in 18th place and to earn $600,000 for a charitable cause. As a spokesman for Mr. Einhorn, Jonathan Doorley, said, “David believes that to solve the education crisis, public schools have to succeed through creative and proven initiatives. City Year is at the forefront of making needed improvements within the education system.”

Huge Success with Coney Island Coasterthon

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Now here’s an interesting idea for charity. Central Amusement International, Luna Park’s parent company, hosted its first “Coasterthon” that awarded $24,000 to the charity of the person who could ride the Cyclone the longest.

Celebrating the Cyclone’s 85th anniversary a bit early, they welcomed nine nonprofit organizations to bring contestants for a chance to raise money and to have fun. Each charity was given one row on the Cyclone, and for every cycle the team completed the sponsors would donate a set amount towards the charity.  And, of course, Central Amusement International announced the grand prize of $24,000 for the group that stayed on the longest.

Valerio Ferrari, president of CAI, stated “We are thrilled to commemorate the incredible 85 years of the Cyclone with all of these wonderful charities who give back to the community every day.  The park confirmed that the nine participating organizations include: You gotta believe, Alzheimer Association, Special Olympics NYC, New York Cares, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, American Cancer Society, Give Kids the World, Wildlife Conservation, and Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP).”

The Cyclone, which opened in 1927, has been mimicked throughout the world with six exact replicas. The Cyclone on Coney Island includes an 85th foot tall hill with a 45 degree incline and speeds of 60mph.

It turned out to be a hearty group riding the roller coaster on Saturday, June 9th, as eight teams rode the same number of laps – 134.  The eight will end up splitting the $24,000 prize.  The winning charities included Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society Relay For Life, Give Kids The World Village, New York Cares, New York Aquarium, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, You Gotta Believe, and Youth Service Opportunities Project.