Monica Ojcius: Giving more, than giving thanks

As I was putting away the turkey and pumpkin pie, I got to thinking about those things in my life for which I am truly thankful. I was immediately inundated with a growing list of things going through my head.

Sure, there was the typical stuff such as my family and friends. At the top, too, are the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I thought about my job at Community Hospice, my warm abode and the plentiful food we have to share. But beyond these things I realized there is much more I am thankful for.

One is my somewhat humble, but nonetheless important, ability to give back in support of those less fortunate in my community. Your community.

So in the midst of the great calling to be good consumers and spend, spend, spend on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday I feel the need to promote the opportunity to demonstrate generosity with an invitation to participate in Giving Tuesday. You can give time, talent or treasure – it’s up to you.

You’ve never heard of Giving Tuesday? You can find out a great deal on the Giving Tuesday website. But here’s a synopsis: Now in its fourth year, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and community collaboration.

The Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the U.S. and its widely recognized shopping events – Black Friday and Cyber Monday – Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many people try to focus on holiday and end-of-year giving.

Since it started in 2012, Giving Tuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy. It calls to mind events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources. Giving Tuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities and provides a platform to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners – nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals – to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness.

Here in the Central Valley the culture of philanthropy is alive and thriving. I recently witnessed an outpouring of giving at the United Samaritans fundraiser where numerous people stepped up to donate $54,000 to provide lunches to the hungry. The Yosemite Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals has a ready membership of area nonprofits that practice ethical fundraising and work tirelessly all year to provide needed goods and services to those disadvantaged in our area.

As for my household, we are giving our children the money we would have spent on their holiday “wants” and letting them choose which nonprofits they want to support on Giving Tuesday; this will allow them to help meet the needs of others. So far their list includes the Red Cross, Community Hospice, Center for Human Services and more.

So join my 9- and 14-year-olds on Giving Tuesday and give more than just giving thanks.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Monica Ojcius: Giving more, than giving thanks."