Jamie Stout, Immediate Past President of Local First Springfield
We are right off the heels of being thankful on Thanksgiving and shopped ‘til we dropped on Small Business Saturday. Of course, you have heard of Cyber Monday, but what about Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday started in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.
Giving Tuesday has a worldwide impact, but you can you make a difference right here in your own backyard. This is a day people come together in unity and show generosity by supporting causes they care about. Some even say giving can be contagious! And in an era of COVID-19, this is the only thing we want to spread today! You can create a ripple effect by spreading generosity and cheer throughout our community.
Here are a few ideas on how you can participate this year, while being socially distant!
1. Share kindness with your neighbors. Forming bonds in your neighborhood helps the entire city.
2. Volunteer virtually to share your talents. Locally, the nonprofit “The Outlet” has virtual mentoring opportunities.
3. Give your voice to a cause that matters to you. Speak up with legislature or on social media.
4. Show gratitude to healthcare workers, service providers, and other essential workers who are making sure we still have the services we rely on, even at risk to their own health. Local First member, Café Moxo did their part by donating meals to HSHS St. John’s nurses.
5. Give to your favorite cause or a fundraiser to help those in need. I am confident each of these Local First Springfield nonprofit members Family Service Center, Kidzeum, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Habitat for Humanity, and FLOW Yoga for a Mindful Midwest have a Facebook fundraiser today or an end of the year campaign on their website. There are literally hundreds of nonprofits to choose from right here in Sangamon County. Give to a cause or two that you care about!
6.Use social media to spread the word! See a post, share it with your network!
7. Talk about giving and generosity using the hashtag #GivingTuesday
8. Challenge your friends to participate, too. Your friends want to support you, so they will give to causes you care about, too!
When you give locally, you are helping your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends you see every day and you literally can see the impact right in front of you! You already witness the needs daily in our own community and have a vested interest in helping those you know or can relate to. That money stays right here in our community to make a difference and build a stronger Sangamon County. By investing locally, you are helping to employ local residents and in turn more business creates more opportunities for everyone. So, I ask again, “How will you give back today?” #GivingTuesday