Every year at Christmastime, my mother chooses and champions a cause. In lieu of fruitcakes, popcorn tins and kitschy socks, she sends out donations to what she considers the best non profit organizations in our honor.
It’s not that she isn’t festive, or doesn’t believe in Christmas traditions. But when it comes to gift-giving, she assumes that the bulk of recipients have handled their own food, drink and décor.
Instead, she gives something that embodies the true spirit of the holidays. Since she started this tradition, many friends and relatives have followed suit. Our Christmas gifts now carry much more meaning, because they’re more personally reflective than any sweater or box of chocolates I’ve ever received. They are gifts from the heart that also help to make the world a better place.
So perhaps this year, in a time when both national and international philanthropy seem crucial, others might be interested in picking up this charitable giving habit. Whether it’s nature/wildlife conservation or the rights of women, children, racial minorities, the LGBTQ community and/or indigenous people, we can all find causes we believe in to support.
While I would encourage others to adopt my mother’s philanthropic approach to the holidays, I’d also advise researching charities before you donate. Even the best non profit organizations have to pay people to run them. But most people prefer that the majority of their money go towards the causes themselves rather than questionable administration costs.
For those who are in some way affiliated with small grassroots efforts (my mother has donated to charities I’ve worked with on multiple occasions), the decision is a no-brainer. But this story is for those who might be newer to this sort of endeavor. First of all, congratulations and thanks for giving back! Secondly, consider giving to Lacawac this holiday season! Doing so you will help shape the next generation of Earth stewards!
Make a donation to Lacawac here!
It’s not that she isn’t festive, or doesn’t believe in Christmas traditions. But when it comes to gift-giving, she assumes that the bulk of recipients have handled their own food, drink and décor.
Instead, she gives something that embodies the true spirit of the holidays. Since she started this tradition, many friends and relatives have followed suit. Our Christmas gifts now carry much more meaning, because they’re more personally reflective than any sweater or box of chocolates I’ve ever received. They are gifts from the heart that also help to make the world a better place.
So perhaps this year, in a time when both national and international philanthropy seem crucial, others might be interested in picking up this charitable giving habit. Whether it’s nature/wildlife conservation or the rights of women, children, racial minorities, the LGBTQ community and/or indigenous people, we can all find causes we believe in to support.
While I would encourage others to adopt my mother’s philanthropic approach to the holidays, I’d also advise researching charities before you donate. Even the best non profit organizations have to pay people to run them. But most people prefer that the majority of their money go towards the causes themselves rather than questionable administration costs.
For those who are in some way affiliated with small grassroots efforts (my mother has donated to charities I’ve worked with on multiple occasions), the decision is a no-brainer. But this story is for those who might be newer to this sort of endeavor. First of all, congratulations and thanks for giving back! Secondly, consider giving to Lacawac this holiday season! Doing so you will help shape the next generation of Earth stewards!
Make a donation to Lacawac here!
