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Charity begins at home this Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their local communities and beyond. Hot on the heels of the corporate greed and overspending of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a simple idea of inspiring people to donate time, money or resources to anyone who needs it. This year Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a day that encourages people to“ do good.” Over the past 13 years, this idea has grown into an annual global movement that inspires millions of people to give, collaborate and volunteer. There are many ways to get involved, and kindness is absolutely free! So get your family, friends, or coworkers together and brainstorm on ways you can give back.
Just one act of kindness a day can reduce your stress and anxiety, and it can improve the well-being of the person you were kind to. Repeated acts of kindness can boost self-worth and provide a sense of accomplishment, leading to a more positive self-image. Kindness can increase feelings of connection to others, which can combat loneliness and improve overall relationships, further benefiting your mood.( Trust me, it’ s science!)
In honor of me turning 50 this year, I wanted to highlight two of my favorite nonprofit organizations that also turned 50 in 2025. Our Stillwater Humane Society has been rescuing, rehabbing and adopting animals for five decades! They can always use volunteers to walk dogs, take them for a Pup
Cup, or help clean the shelter. Monetary donations are always welcome, and so are supplies. Remember, our local Humane Society is solely funded by donations and grants.
Canine Companions also celebrated its golden anniversary this year.
Canine Companions is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing expertly trained service dogs to people with disabilities, veterans, and agencies where therapy and service dogs are beneficial. Our Saville Center for Child Advocacy gets their comfort therapy dogs from this wonderful organization. For information on how to donate or volunteer, visit canine. org.
You don’ t have to always donate money. You can donate books to our Little Free Libraries around town. Clean out your pantry and donate canned goods to the food cabinets at various locations throughout Stillwater. Offer to rake your neighbor’ s leaves, send a handwritten note to someone you care about, or make a meal for a friend. I challenge you to compliment three strangers on Giving Tuesday! No act of kindness is too small. The day is simply about giving to others.
Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive impact in the lives of others and the community around them. Start on Dec. 2, and then make it a daily habit.
For more ideas on how to celebrate, or toolkits for nonprofit organizations visit www. givingtuesday. org. SwOk
STORY BY: JENNIFER JALBERT Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
Ellie and Hamilton from the Stillwater Humane Society participate in Lake McMurtry Trunk or Treat
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 24