Give The Gift Of Giving Back

For me, giving is the second-best thing about Christmas right after celebrating the birth of Christ.  I’ve been in nonprofit management and fund development for nearly 20 years, raising money to advance what I believe are some of the most important missions.  December has always proved to be the best month for donations. 

I’m an advocate for several nonprofit organizations that I want to share with you.  Each of them have had such a positive impact on my life and would love for you to consider making one of them an end of year family tradition by giving.

 

a-chance-to-learn-giveback

A CHANCE TO LEARN

A Chance to Learn was founded in 2011 by me and my husband inspired by my son Chance.  We were on a plane returning from visiting family and he was concerned that one of our cousins (a two-year-old) could not read.  You should know that he was also two at the time.  Long story short, he told us that we should pay for kids to go to school because if they could not read, they could not read their bible.  We started A Chance to Learn a few months later to advocate, promote, and advance early childhood learning by hosting programs designed to prepare kids for kindergarten and help them develop a love for learning.  Your donation to A Chance to Learn will allow a child to attend the 8-week summer learning camp and give them a chance to learn.  DONATE NOW!

 

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Photo Credit: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Probably like you, I had seen commercials about St. Jude for years.  The request for donations from some of my favorite celebrities, the photos of the children affected by cancer, and the small request of $19 a month have run consistently on television.  While the photos were heartbreaking I developed a love for St. Jude in October of 2014 while attending the Celebration of Hope event.  I took a tour of the hospital and residential facilities, visited the garden where they grow their own fresh, organic food, and met some of the patients and their families.  My life changed that day.  St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases with no one receiving a bill for services.  St. Jude believes that no child deserves to die in the dawn of life.  Make a donation to St. Jude and help them Find Cures and Save Lives.  DONATE NOW!

 

CASA-give-back-photo
Photo Credit: CASA

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA)

During my high school years, I lived with a few different families. While I wasn’t a ward of the state, I certainly empathize with those who are and have developed a passion for making life better for them through advocacy.  I accepted a job as Vice President of Development at Friends of CASA of Los Angeles, the fundraising arm of CASA of Los Angeles.  Boy did I learn a lot about CASA’s.  CASA’s are volunteers standing up for the best interest of the child from the time they enter in the system until they are discharged.  There are approximately 700,000 children who experience abuse each year. Last year CASA’s served 280,314 of those children, leaving more than 400,000 waiting for a volunteer to help them find a loving home.  By giving to CASA, you are helping train and support volunteer advocates to protect the best interests of children who have been abused or neglect in communities that need your help the most.  DONATE NOW! 

 

I am very passionate about the charities listed above, but there are so many more that may tug at your heart strings.  Tomorrow, December 31, 2017 is the last day to give for this year and with the new tax bill, there is a huge probability that donations will decrease in 2018. 

While I do enjoy seeing those checks roll in and getting the notifications for the electronic gift allowing nonprofits to further their missions, I really love the year end giving because it portrays the heart of people.  It’s not just about monetary gifts, but in-kind contributions make a huge difference…as well as volunteering. 

Have you made a year end gift? Can you help either of these organizations continue to make an impact in the lives of children and their families?  Please consider a gift great or small, they all add up to making a difference!

 

[latoyia]

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11 Comments

  1. This is such a great post! It’s so important that we all give back however we can whenever we can. I love that you’ve given us some great options here.

  2. Your son Chase has a really good heart and it was nice even at two he knows how to help. It was great of you to start a Chance to Learn as that helping hand can mean so much in ensuring a better future for the kids.

  3. We made a nice donation to St Jude this year. My daughter also helped raise money with me to donate.

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