Do you want to do something really memorable for your friends and family this holiday season? Don’t buy or receive a single gift.
Make a difference in your community by donating to charities on behalf of your friends and family.
One of the best holiday giving tools in Canada is Canadahelps.org. This organization connects donors with over 80,000 registered charities in Canada.
Canadahelps.org has a holiday program called the Cause Wish List whereby instead of gifts (or as well as gifts), you and your friends support your favourite charities.
The program is very simple; create your account, choose the design of your ‘stocking’, determine how much money you’d like to raise and pick the charities you want to support.
Then, send out your Cause Wish List link to friends, family and colleagues. It’s that simple!
If you don’t want to raise money, volunteer instead. Organize your posse to go and pack hampers at the food bank, build a playground for your local women’s shelter or spend time carolling or visiting with the elderly at a nearby seniors home.
If you’re not sure what charities you’re interested in supporting, do a little soul searching.
What are you passionate about? Ensuring children have affordable access to sports? Preserving and promoting local art? Providing financial literacy education? Finding a cure to an illness that has impacted your family?
Align your giving with an organization that represents your passions.
National organizations, like Canadahelps.org and Imagine Canada, or your local community and volunteer foundations can provide you with lists of charities that reflect your values.
Be bold this holiday season! Use the spirit of giving to uplift your community.
