In case you were not on any form of social media yesterday, you may have missed out on a special day and new holiday tradition – #GivingTuesday. This global day, dedicated to giving, strategically comes on the heels Black Friday and Cyber Monday to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. The purpose behind this day is – to celebrate generosity and giving – is a message that should extend far beyond one day on the calendar. Charitable giving should be a year round thing but most often is emphasized during the holidays.
As you make your gift list this year, consider giving a gift in honor or memory of someone you love. It’s the gift that keeps on giving – one with meaning and one that counts! Here are ten suggestions for some Southern based charities near and dear to our hearts to support during this season and throughout the year:
MAP International – GA
MAP International is a global Christian health organization that partners with people living in conditions of poverty to save lives and develop healthier families and communities. MAP provides the needs of those they serve through distributing medicines, preventing disease, and promoting health to create real hope and lasting change.
Wounded Warrior Project – FL
This organization’s core mission is “to honor and empower wounded warriors” by fostering the most successful, well-adjusted generation of injured veterans and their families. They work to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, help injured service members aid and assist each other and provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.
Heifer International – AR
Founded upon the “teach a man to fish” philosophy, Heifer International works to end hunger and poverty around the world by providing livestock and training to struggling communities. Donations help purchase select farm animals for families so they are then able to use the animals for food and income by consuming and then selling products such eggs, milk, and honey at local markets. Families then share their training – and the first female offspring of their livestock – with another family in need. Love how it comes full-circle.
Samaritan’s Purse – NC
For more than 40 years, Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian organization that provides aid to people in physical need as a key part of Christian missionary work, has lived out the Bible story (Luke 10:30-37) from for which it is named. Led by Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, the organization focuses on international crisis response (more than 100 countries around the world), US disaster relief, children, construction projects, and much more.
Speedway Charities – NC and various Southern cities
The mission of Speedway Children’s Charities remains true to the ideals it was founded upon in 1982: To care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives. This organization, with Atlanta, Charlotte, Bristol, Kentucky and Texas locations, works to help children in need a focusing on communities surrounding SMI speedways. Their vision is that every child has the same opportunities no matter what obstacle they are facing.
United Way – VA
This one probably needs no explanation as you have seen them at work first hand in your community. The mission of the United Way is to create a community and world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives. Their efforts focus on improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common goal.
Camp Southern Ground – GA
Inspired by his own experience as a camp counselor, country singer Zac Brown’s vision was to create a state-of-the-art facility that will serve children ages 7-17 with both typical and special needs and neurobehavioral disorders such as Asperger syndrome, Tourette syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders, as well as learning differences such as ADD/ADHD and dyslexia. Knowing that children need access to the best resources to grow and succeed, Camp Southern Ground is a place for children and their families to learn healthy life skills through an advanced program involving superior nutrition, physical exercise, and the latest practices in therapy, administered by a knowledgeable staff.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – TN
Another well-known charity that may need no explanation. From their big Christmas campaigns to the television specials, St. Jude works relentlessly to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.
Blessings in a Backpack - KY
Blessings in a Backpack provides elementary schoolchildren who are on the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal Program with a backpack of food to take home for 38 weekends during the school year. Backpack food includes easy-to-prepare, ready-to-eat foods, like granola bars, juice boxes, mac and cheese, and oatmeal. There are 20+ million children in this country who are at risk of hunger. The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement.
Aidan Cares – GA
This pint size prodigy puts us adults to shame. He has done more in the area of fundraising and awareness then someone four times his age! Playing the harmonica and spreading his message of “a boy on a mission… teaching a generation to give”, Aidan is one to watch. Look out world. Check out his site to see some of the causes he supports.
Bonus: To be inspired to do something outside of the box and beyond donating, read this article on two amazing people that set out to help others one state at a time.
Whitney Wise Long, co-founder of The Southern C, is a huge fan of all these charities. One day, when she wins the lottery, these organizations will be real lucky. But first, she needs to buy some tickets.