Giving Tuesday 2024: The Gift of Giving

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.—Anne Frank

Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are over, here’s one way you can also spend your hard-earned money: Giving Tuesday 2024.

Can we agree that the quickest way to living a fulfilling life is to give back?

On this same note, there are two ways you can help others. 1) You can donate your time or 2) donate your money. Personally, what I’ve noticed is that people donate their money because it’s easier.

No matter how much money one has, any dollar amount given still makes one feels good to know they’ve contributed to the betterment of someone’s life.

To me, when you give your time, you make others feel loved, cherished, and valued.

I know that’s how I feel when someone takes time out of their life to do something for me or check in on me. Moreover, it’s much more meaningful than receiving money.

That said, I wanted to share some ideas on ways you give back with your time and/or money this holiday season and beyond.

If you’re in a giving mode, here are my favorite charities to give my time/money to:

NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK

This is an absolute no-brainer as it’s one of the easiest kinds of charities to give your time/money to in order to help others immediately. I chose NTFB, but you can find your local food bank.

When I volunteered many years ago, I had so much fun meeting new people who were there for a common cause. It was super fun competing with my fellow volunteers to see who can pack boxes the fastest that time flew by and we were sad to leave because the next group of volunteers were coming in!

CHILDREN’S HUNGER FUND

One of my favorite charities is Children’s Hunger Fund. USANA, a supplement brand I used to take has partnered with CHF for many years and the work they do is so great.

I love that you can donate any amount you wish or purchase a bottle of Usanimals for malnourished children.

This organization is very near and dear to my heart.

GENESIS WOMEN’S SHELTER

I discovered the GWS years ago at an event my friend, Dale, founder of Savvy Sleepers, hosted. When I heard that they help women get out of domestic abuse situations safely, I knew immediately that their mission was one I wanted to support.

If you’re in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and want to find a place to donate your time to, I’d reach out to them! They also take financial donations or items from their Amazon life, new or gently-used items.

RAINFOREST ALLIANCE

As you know, the focus on caring for our planet and the environment has increased over the years. Whether you believe in climate change or not, the main goal should always be taking care of where we live because we are grateful. For me, it’s more so about stewarding God’s blessing and it’s my way to thank Him for the beautiful places He’s blessed me to visit/experience/live.

Aside from raising awareness and/or funds, get uncomfortable and volunteer with your local city when they host a clean up. It’s eye-opening and sad because you get to see first hand how much we trash where we are blessed to live.

I’ve worked with Keep America Beautiful affiliates in the past so if you want to start somewhere, start with them!

PROJECT BEAUTY SHARE

This organization provides personal hygiene and beauty products to other for-purpose organizations who serve women and families overcoming abuse, addiction, homelessness, and poverty.

All you have to do is donate a dollar amount, donate makeup, shampoos, lotions, soaps, fragrances, etc. to help women get back on their feet or make a purchase from their Amazon wishlist.

Here’s what I did for Project Beauty Share in collaboration with the Erno Laszlo team years ago!

JIMMY DARTS

I’ve been following Jimmy for a few years now and he has changed my perspective on giving others of your time and money. The stories he shares just tugs at your heartstrings. You feel grateful for what you have, get reminders to be kind to others because you never know what they’re going through, and receive constant heart checks.

While I don’t broadcast it on social media, I tend to donate to his fundraisers the most as I resonate with many people’s stories he has shared. Moreover, I feel like the window to give back closes quicker and I want to be a part of people’s “light at the end of the tunnel” side of their story.

I know when some people hear the phrase “giving of your time,” they think the time they have to give is a lot. While I get that “time is money,” I believe the giving of your time is love.

With all the time we’ve been graciously blessed with, all it takes is 1-2 hours a month or even donating a huge chunk of one Saturday on a quarterly basis to change someone else’s life. That’s it.

If you’ve been thinking about donating your time, stop thinking about it and take action.

Remember this:

The most valuable thing you can give to others is your time. Share on X

Keep in mind that if you’re ever put in a position where you need help, you’ll get back what you gave!