Get ready to start giving! Fresh off REALTOR® Week which followed REALTORS® Care Week, GivingTuesday is just around the corner — on November 29 to be precise — and it’s your big chance to do something good for others.
In the same way that REALTORS® give back to their communities, you can do the same. Throughout the year, REALTORS® support causes close to home and are instrumental in making a difference in their communities. During REALTORS® Care Week specifically, which was from Nov. 14-20 this year, REALTORS® come together to support housing and shelter-related charities across Canada. The Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board’s annual Gimme Shelter fundraiser raised over $12,000 in support of local housing initiatives.
GivingTuesday is the world’s largest generosity movement. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
As a global movement, GivingTuesday unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world by encouraging everyone do good. It’s a day in which everyone has something they can give, and every act of generosity — no matter how small — counts.
The movement is organized by a global network of country leaders. In Canada, the movement is led by CanadaHelps.org with support from the Rideau Hall Foundation, and includes thousands of participating organizations. The Canadian movement has prospered thanks to a growing network of community movements with dynamic leaders all over the country. Each participant is responsible for organizing their own GivingTuesday campaign or activities.
There are so many different ways to express generosity on GivingTuesday — and every day! Give of your time, make someone smile with an unexpected compliment, help a neighbour, veteran or stranger in some way, show up for an issue or people we care about, or make a donation to that charity you’ve been intending to support. Get behind your favourite cause and get your friends involved!
With all the turmoil in the world, it’s more important than it has ever been to show up for our communities. There are many simple ways to do this. Here are just a few great ideas:
• Support your local community food bank.
• Look for a local fundraiser, community drive or coordinated event to join others in your area or with your same interests in giving back.
• Reach out to a neighbour in need: send them a card, cook them a meal, bake them some treats, mow their lawn or shovel their snow, or give them a call just to check in.
• Check out the CanadaHelps pledge! Your favourite charity will be entered to win a $5,000 donation from CanadaHelps. Each pledge is a chance for your charity to win!
• Add a #GivingTuesdayCA Facebook Frame to your profile to show that you’re giving back.
• Share your giving story by posting an #UNselfie. This is a post on social media that shares a message about why you give back.
• Shop local. This is a difficult time for small businesses and restaurants. Support those in your neighbourhood by ordering take out or buying items online, or buying locally made products in stores.
• Share your giving story on Instagram with a #GivingTuesdayCA Instagram sticker or filter.
• Create sidewalk chalk designs. This is an easy activity for young children to participate in. Share messages about world unity, inspiring kindness, or give love to your city/town. Get your photos ready before #GivingTuesdayCA and share on your social channels on GivingTuesday! Don’t forget to tag us #GivingTuesdayCA!
• Add a link to your email signature to let others know what cause you are supporting for GivingTuesday.
• Help inspire others by sharing good news stories on your social media channels. Showcase all the good happening in your community. Check out #GivingTuesdayCA’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter channels for inspiration.
Generosity is a lifelong commitment to think of others and our communities as well as ourselves. While the global celebration event will take place on November 29, the most successful GivingTuesday campaigns are planned and launched weeks before the actual day, and many last until the end of December.
In fact, the movement encourages giving back throughout the year, whether through donations, volunteering, or in whatever other ways we can. #GivingEveryTuesday was born when people started asking, what if every Tuesday was GivingTuesday? #GivingEveryTuesday id a series of weekly opportunities to come together to give, volunteer, and show kindness in shared moments with communities, causes and countries around the world. It’s another way the world comes together to inspire people to do good all year round.
If you don’t have personal time to give, you can give directly to a charity by visiting givingtuesday.ca and searching among 86,000 registered charities to make a donation via CanadaHelps.org quickly and easily. The interactive map can show you which charities are participating in your are or city. There are over 200 in Winnipeg open to your donations right now! Want to donate in Morden or the Interlake? The map will show you where you’re donation is going.
How are you giving? Share on social media with hashtag #GivingTuesdayCA and inspire others! To find out how to contribute or become a partner, view interactive maps to see what’s happening near you, or discover volunteer opportunities, visit givingtuesday.ca for details.