Welcome to the December 2013 Carnival of Natural Mothering!
Earlier this year, I embarked on a 31 Days of Resolutions project that got me to write each day and map out the goals that I had for the year. Some were lofty, some were desperately needed and others were continuing on an eco-friendly path that we had begun to pave. One goal was to choose companies that give back and Giving Tuesday is giving me a chance to think more about that this month.
Giving Tuesday is a fairly new day that is being celebrated as a way to give back post Cyber Monday and Black Friday or in lieu of those days altogether. We are using it as a starting point to giving with intention in 2014. Today, I will be sitting down with Tomato in order to choose an animal to sponsor with Heifer International. Heifer is a program to which we have given for the last 9 years. It’s a tradition for my husband and I since we started dating and now, it’s time to involve Tomato in the decision making.
I think teaching her to give back is an important part of sending good vibes out into the world and taking care of your fellow man. Being supportive and compassionate are important character traits that I want to impart on her. So, my pledge for 2014 is to find a charitable activity to do with her each month. 12 months of giving back and 12 activities to help show her why kindness and giving are important in this world.
If you are looking to use Giving Tuesday as a jumping off point for being more charitable in 2014, here are some opportunities today:
For 12 hours, Google+ is partnering with Mashable for #GivingTuesday to feature over 24 charities and brands that users can support, including special guests like Jennifer Garner and Chris Daughtry! The Hangout will be streamed from the +Giving Tuesday page.
There will also be Twitter and Facebook parties throughout the day:
- Dec 2 8-9pm ET, Honest Tea Company with Food Corps on Twitter #GivingTuesday
- Dec 3 12-1pm ET, Mom it Forward’s #GNO with Shot@Life on Twitter #GivingTuesday
- Dec 3 12-12:20pm ET, Lauren Bush with FEED on Facebook
- Dec 3 1:30-2:30pm ET, Unilever with Feeding America and the United Nations Foundation #BrightFuture #GivingTuesday on Twitter
So, what are your resolutions for the New Year? Do they include giving back?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
We’ve been donating to Heifer for years as well, and we also include our daughter in choosing the animal for the year. I like your idea of pledging to do a charitable activity each month — that inspires me for 2014. Thanks!
Thanks, Donna! Glad to hear that you guys do it with the kids as well. It’s such a great way to introduce giving to them.
I’ve let this area slide this year. In years past, I let the school take care of the giving projects, but their Kids for Kids in Jesus group went away due to a lack of volunteers. It’s not that hard for me to buy groceries for the local food pantry and bring a bag to mass once a month.
Our parish knitting group is collecting hats and mittens. We can start there.
Perfect places to start, Barb!
I think it is so important to instill in our children a spirit of giving. I have been interested in Heifer for a long time just never gotten around to looking into it more. One thing we do is each Christmas I adopt an angel that is the same age as my children and involve them in picking out presents for the angel. I hope this will help them to see that Christmas isn’t all about getting, but is about giving.
Good idea, Melissa! I like finding an angel that is their own age.