Today is Giving Tuesday!
If you don’t already know, Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s a chance for charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world to come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
We found out about this new tradition through my work (Carleton University is one of the first universities in Canada to jump on board the #GivingTuesday train. Go gettem, alma mater!), and it was an idea that warmed our hearts.
We nuts have tried to do our part to give back over the years. Thanks to the help of some handsome moustaches, we’ve donated hundreds of dollars to Movember through two really awesome contests and have been known to volunteer our time to any good cause that crosses our paths.
But this year, we wanted to wander out in search of new projects to support. Just like the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we planned our week full of gift guides to lead up to it so that we could fall in step with the global initiative and remind our readers that the holiday season should be as much about giving back than it is about anything else.
Our main reason for participating in the Giving Tuesday initiative is to encourage others to do the same. December is a hectic, exciting and wonderful month for most, but for some it can be the most challenging time of year. While you hang the mistletoe, trim the tree and perfectly wrap presents for your friends and family, we’re here to say that doing a little good will warm your heart just as much.
To lead by example, the Ottawa nuts set out in search of the perfect project to support. So often we preach supporting local businesses and initiatives, so this time around we wanted to spread our love a little farther and reach some people overseas.
Meghan found out about Samaritan’s Purse—a non-denominational relief organization that encourages people to pack a shoebox for a less fortunate child in another part of the world. Having contributed a toothbrush, toonie or toy to this type of project in our elementary school days, we decided to take it head on and pack a shoebox each.
Still wiping the sleep out of our eyes on an early Sunday morning, we hit the malls in search of some supplies that would fill the shoeboxes with goods and love. Carefully selecting toys, picking the prettiest hairbands, or the coolest race cars, we followed the suggested list of gifts closely, but added our own personal touches.
We decided to fill two shoeboxes for girls aged 5-9 and one shoebox for a boy of the same age. Our favourite selections? A plush pig complete with friendship bracelets for both the stuffed animal and the little girl who receives it, and shutter shades for our little boy.
Of course, we also complied by providing a wide array of hygiene products and school supplies.
It was SO much fun shopping, wrapping the shoeboxes and then packing them perfectly. Probably the most heart warming part of the exercise came when we wrote handwritten letters to our anonymous recipients, letting them know that three girls in Canada had them in their hearts.
We were able to drop off our shoeboxes at a local church in time for the shipping deadline, but if you want to donate to this great cause – there’s still time. By making a donation to their website, you can pack a virtual shoebox and still make a difference.
To make the impact of these gifts all the more real, Meghan found this incredible story about the project.
In reality, what we offered up was small. We spent about three hours shopping, packing and delivering, and each shoebox cost less than $50. But, as the website says, “What goes into the box is fun, what comes out is eternal.” We hope that our small offering can light up the lives of some deserving children.
Luckily, there is an abundance of opportunities to do good in the city. Remember, if you’re not in a financial position to give, charities need volunteers at Christmastime more than ever. Here are just a few examples of some of the great causes you can support in Ottawa (there are TONNES more!):
Angel Tree: The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa is trying to gather 1700 gifts by Dec. 13. Be a holiday hero this year and help Santa find his way to more than 2,000 children and youth. For as little as $20, you can create a very happy holiday for many children this year.
Toy Mountain: Join CTV and The Salvation Army to support The 2014 Toy Mountain campaign. Taking part is easy! Simply donate a new, unwrapped toy and you will help make this Christmas a special one for girls and boys in need. This year alone, the Salvation Army expects to help 16,000 children in the Ottawa region. Girls and boys requiring help range from the age of newborn to 12 years old.
Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard: I was fortunate to get a behind the scenes tour of the great work this organization does. The GEFC supplies emergency food to families and individuals in need within the community of Gloucester. During the Christmas season, it supplements the regular food orders with a voucher for the purchase of a turkey and with seasonal foods such as cookies, candies, fruit cake and more. If you don’t live in the Gloucester area, there are other emergency food banks found throughout the city.
Harmony House: Harmony House is a second-stage women’s shelter. They provide safe, affordable transitional housing for women and children who are survivors of violence. In Canada there are 3,000 women and 2,500 children who live in shelters each day to escape violence. It is the only second-stage shelter in Ottawa and there are many ways to help.
The Snowsuit Fund: Now in its 23rd year serving Ottawa and Gatineau area children by distributing snowsuits to underprivileged children aged 14 years and younger, you can help The Snowsuit Fund with monetary donations, gently used winter outerwear (snowsuits, boots, mitts, hats) or knitting wool. Ottawa winters are fierce. This cause warms hearts, literally.
The Christmas Exchange: This project continues to provide food help to families and individuals in a time of need during the holiday season. Last year, it assisted 8,000 households in the Ottawa area, affecting 23,770 people of whom 11,000 were children and 1,400 were seniors.
Make-A-Wish® Foundation: The mission of Make-A-Wish® Eastern Ontario is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since Christmas is a time of year when miracles really do come true, please think about supporting this cause.
Bereaved Families of ON-Ottawa Region: BFO offers peer support to those who experienced the death of a family member or significant other. On Dec. 16, they are holding a special event which includes personal stories of hope and healing, as well as a dedication and lighting ceremony, and time for reflection and support. The group is also seeking donations to help support their programs which provide valuable assistance to those grieving the loss of a loved one.
And since you know we love animals …..
Ottawa Dog Rescue: Recently, a friend of ours made a significant contribution to the Ottawa Dog Rescue after his own little guy suffered a terrible illness. It was a good reminder that care for pets can be really expensive, and supporting these causes are essential to support.
The Ontario SPCA: This season, make a furry friend’s holiday with the Ontario SPCA’s one-of-a-kind gifts that give back in purrs and tail wags. The Ontario SPCA’s Paws & Give 2014 Holiday Symbolic Giving Catalogue is filled with gifts to help change the lives of animals in need. Whether you’re shopping for the animal lover in your life, Grandparents, teachers, co-workers, or kids, the Ontario SPCA offers inspiring gifts that makes holiday shopping easy, fun and thoughtful.
The Ottawa nuts will also be helping host the Unsung Hero Apparel 2nd Annual Charity Christmas Gala on Dec. 14. Last year, they were able to raise $5000 for the Sens Foundation to support less fortunate kids in the Ottawa community through programs in Health Care, Education and Recreation. Stay tuned for updates on our involvement, or get your tickets here: https://www.facebook.com/events/382109031914274/
See what the Toronto nuts are up to – coming soon!
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