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.

A Walk to Remember

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By DouglasPosted In: Charity Activity, Family, HealthTagged: ,

Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter what the cause. Many find comfort and meaning by raising awareness or funds in memory of those who have passed. When family or friends pass tragically or after battling illness, the drive to take action to help others often kicks in even stronger.

Mary Hersch, a 61-year-old Wisconsin native, embarked last September on a 1,439-mile walking journey from central Wisconsin to the Texas coast. Her mission was to raise awareness about pulmonary fibrosis, the lung disease that took her mother’s life 25 years ago. When her mother passed away, Hersch’s father requested that half of his ashes would join with her mother’s ashes in the gulf at Port Arkansas, when the time would come.

Since walking has always been a passion of Hersch’s and her mother loved the beach, the chosen route seemed most fitting. She partnered with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation who managed the fundraising and helped her map out her voyage.

Along the way, Hersch often had some company. A couple of her friends accompanied her, driving along slowly in their motor home, as she walked. Many drivers stopped along the road to check if all was OK, if she needed water, and learned about Hersch’s undertaking at the same time. The poster of her mother’s picture hung on her friends’ RV sparked curiosity from passerby, triggering conversation and bonding among people.

On the 89th day of her journey, Hersch received word that her father had died of a heart attack. While she took the news very hard and had considered delaying her projected end date, she gained strength knowing he was rooting for her and felt his presence along each step. She experienced a newfound push to pull through, and had planned to have family meet her half a mile before the coast with her father’s ashes.

Hersch arrived at Port Arkansas on December 30. She scattered her father’s ashes into the sea, and her parents were reunited. She walked for 107 days and raised over $34,000 for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

‘Top Brass’ Charity Sled Dog Race for the Wounded Warrior Program

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By DouglasPosted In: MilitaryTagged: , , , , , , ,

Last week, ExxonMobil donated $20, 000 to the Wounded Warrior Program, an organization that works to provide empowerment and honor to wounded soldiers through increased awareness, aid and various other services.

The donation was made through ExxonMobil Open’s ‘Top Brass’ Charity Sled Dog Race, which invited six of the United States’ most elite Armed Forces representatives to compete for the Top Brass title in a three mile race.

Each of the military men was given a three-dog team and a musher mentor from last year’s ‘Top Dog’ charity race, which has been part of Alaskan tradition since 1973. Aaron Stryk, ExxonMobil public and government affairs advisor, explained that the race is a way of recognizing the official sport of Alaska while emphasizing the institutions that contribute greatly to the community. The sponsors especially wanted to pay tribute to the nation’s wounded warriors, he said.

“Thank you for all you do in service to Alaska and our country,” Stryk said. “I hope this can be our way of saying thank you.”

Maj. Gen. Thomas Katkus was one of the five senior leaders participating in the event.

“This was excellent and really fun,” he said, after winning the competition by nearly a minute with the help of Cooper, Eeyore and Lizzy. “About 100 yards into the trail, you don’t hear anything except the dogs breathing and the sounds of the sled runners going down the trail.

“This was my first time mushing, but I had a team of veteran dogs in front of me, keeping me on the sled. I also followed the advice I was given to just hang on to the sleds and the dogs will do the work for you.”

Katkus added, “I would like to thank ExxonMobil on behalf of all the military. I want to convey the importance of their donation and how it’s going to change people’s lives for the better.”

 

Second Grader Raises Money for Police Dog Protective Vest

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By DouglasPosted In: Animals and NatureTagged: , , , , , ,

Last year, 8 year-old Ana Gent raised more than one thousand dollars to provide a bullet and stab-proof vest for a West Melbourne police dog.

The second grader was honored this past Thursday for her efforts, which put a protective vest on Baton, Officer Robert Nolan’s dog. Gent has a personal interest in the matter, as her father works for Palm Bay Fire-Rescue.

Gent worked alongside Meadowlane and West Shore Jr./Sr. High students, as well as Ducks Unlimited Conservation Society, Florida Flatsfishing Association and Palm Bay Fire-Rescue to raise the money.

She also held a number of car washes, and offered her community personally designed stickers in exchange for donations for her project.

“I love animals,” Gent explained. “I know when police dogs try to help us, I want them to be safe. I wanted to help them so they wouldn’t get hurt.”

Of West Melbourne’s three police dogs, only one had a protective vest. The equipment costs over $1,000. Commander Steve Wilkinson explained that “It takes a few minutes to put those things on.” He added, “If we know we are going into a dangerous situation, they will take the time to put it on the dog.”

Gent purchased the $1,006 vest with help from the non-profit group Vested Interest in K9s. The organization was originally created for dogs in Massachusetts, by Sandy Marcal, but the program went nationwide less than a year ago. As of 2011, the group has provided 64 dogs with the protective vests.