#GivingTuesday is a national movement that started a few years ago to kick-off the giving season. After two big shopping and spending days (Black Friday and Cyber Monday), Giving Tuesday is a time to celebrate giving, volunteering and rallying for our favourite causes. As we near this Giving Tuesday on November 28th, we thought we’d share some of our favourite ways to give:
Zoe’s pick: When thinking of giving back, I feel strongly about the gift of support for someone or a group of people by simply showing up. From anything from attending a rally in solidarity of a group you care about, to bringing someone their favourite flavour of ice cream when they’re having a rough time, being connected to people by offering your time and encouraging words can make a larger impact than expected. Consider being one of those rad people who are “showing up” for our community on a daily basis. Here are a few of my favourite ideas to get you started!
- Join the board of a local organization you care strongly about
- Babysit for a family who don’t get the opportunity to get out much
- Support local artists! Buy Yukon-made gifts and attend live music and theater performances
- Get in touch with Youth of Today Society to see if you can support their mural and other art projects
- Become trained to be a Yukon Distress and Support Line volunteer
Tayo’s pick:Â I was also involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yukon before as a mentor and would like to get involved again! This is an amazing opportunity for me to give back as well as learn. I had a mentor as a young child and know how important and influential that relationship can be.
Hana’s pick:Â My favourite way to give is to give my time. Whether that is by lending my labour to my parents and helping out around the house, calling to check up on how my close circle of friends are doing or volunteering to make dinner – trust me, it will be noticed and appreciated. At this time of year it is especially important for me to slow down and spend quality time with the ones I love, as well as really spending the time and effort on gifts for my close family members and friends to make them feel special. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, just putting a sentimental touch on a homemade gift has always been well received. This holiday season my giving goals are to bake many desserts, knit a whole scarf, try soap making again, buy a candy making thermometer so my honeycomb toffee is edible this year, set my mum up with songs on her iPad, teach my dad to use Netflix, and offer often to go out in the cold to do the horse chores. The little things are what really matters.
Shelby’s pick: My all time favourite way to give is being a Big Sister! I joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yukon just under a year ago and let me tell you – this is one fun volunteer gig! Each week I get to spend a of hours with my Little Sister doing fun things that we both enjoy. In our time together, we have tried glass blowing, gone swimming, made pizza, ate ice cream, run around the Carcross desert, carved pumpkins, watched movies, made pizza, ate ice cream….we often circle back to our mutual love of pizza and ice cream! This girl has more wit and sarcasm packed in to her 10-year old self than I’ll ever have so our visits are always full of giggles!!
If I’m not convincing you, check out this video, it’s sure to pluck on your heart strings!
No matter your cause there are many great ways to give back! Check out some of the links in the article to learn more about the great work other organizations are doing in our community. And, if you want to learn more about what we’re doing head over to www.yukonyouth.com and check us out!