So last week we had a little intro to Giving Tuesday, and even a bit about how the Family Dinner Project has partnered with Giving Tuesday this year  🙂  Well, this week we’re going to talk a little more about it… because it’s tomorrow!
Giving Tuesday is a day dedicated to true giving, right on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  It is for giving in whatever way we can, and to teaching our kids and family members to give too.  A lot of us get excited for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping but there is so much more to this week of thanks and giving than the great deals to be found!
The mission of Giving Tuesday is to boost humanity rather than to boost the economy.  Started by 92Y and the United Nations Foundation in 2012, last year over 10,000 organizations from around the world took to social media to help raise awareness and funds for important causes of their choice.
So, how can you participate this year?  Tomorrow, on Giving Tuesday (always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving), give time or money to a cause, group, or even directly to a person you care about.  Donations to big companies and causes are great!  But it is also so meaningful to think outside the box and bless someone you know who needs a helping hand.  So many people are in great need for so many reasons, all over the world.  GiveForward is the perfect place to learn about wonderful causes you can support right from home.  Check out the Shah’s fundraiser for one important example!
Please don’t feel like this isn’t for you, if this year finds you unable to give financially.  Small acts of kindness go along way too! Here are ten ideas for giving that you can start on right away – at no cost to you  🙂
2) Read up on ways to pay it forward
3) Teach kids character building life skills
4) Go Christmas caroling for sick or elderly people
5) Invite someone over for dinner
7) Offer to babysit or otherwise assist an adoptive family
9) Pray for persecuted Christians around the world
10) Educate yourself on human trafficking to be better prepared to help
So remember to wake up and be awesome tomorrow – give your heart out on Giving Tuesday!  I’ll be right there with you celebrating the difference we can make, together – after all, “the willingness to share does not make one charitable; it makes one free” – Robert Brault – And you know how I feel about freedom!  😉  So let us live free and love big!  Be sure and share your Giving Tuesday moments with us by using the hashtags #GivingTuesday and #GiveForward.
Now on to the linkup!  🙂

Happy December! You are definitely correct..you don’t have to have $$ to pay it forward! Love your ideas! Thank you for the link up and blessings to you!
Thank you so much Shari Lynne! Many blessings!
Thank you for this great linkup. I have started a link up for Mondays too to promote inspirational, family-friendly posts about books and literacy activities. I hope you can join us one week. Thanks again. 🙂
That’s fantastic, Mary – I will definitely check it out! Thanks for being here 🙂
I love, love, love the heart of this post! Thank you so much for sharing this and for the link-up.
Heather, your comment sends my cup overflowing! Thank you for that encouragement today xo