The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Where will you give on this #Giving Tuesday — and beyond
The long Thanksgiving weekend gave me time to think about what I am most thankful for, and on #GivingTuesday, I am ready to give back.
#GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season when many people con- sider their year-end giving, according to givingtuesday.org. The day was created in 2012 by the team at the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact at the 92nd Street Y. The goal is to help people bring about change in their communities by providing a platform to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges, according to givingtuesday.org.
How do you choose how or where to give? That’s up to you. Consider what’s important in your life, what you’re thankful for, what you’d like to see grow and improve.
For me, I’m grateful for science, pediatric cancer research, the caregivers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, blood donors, my family, and all of the friends and strangers who have lent a hand and shared encouraging words.
I purchased my Christmas cards from MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Children’s Art Project. The project produces cards, mugs, scarves, notepads, ornaments If you’d like to donate money, you may want to check with an organization to see how its funds are used to make sure the money is going toward something you want to support. and much more from artwork created by children’s cancer hospital patients in art therapy. The young artists make beautiful work — and it’s great option for holiday gifts or something special for yourself.
I’m donating to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which aims to “raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes, primarily research into new treatments and cures and to encourage and empower others — especially children — to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer,” according to the website. Founder Alexandra “Alex” Scott had her first lemonade stand at age 4 to raise money for childhood cancer awareness and research. Alex raised over $1 million to help find a cure for cancer by the time she died at age 8 in 2004.
Where should you donate?
Is there an illness that has affected you or someone you love? Find an organization that supports research to improve treatment or find a cure for the disease.
Did you have a college experience that changed your life? Ensure that future students can say the same by donating to the college’s foundation.
Do you want to support the children in your community? Give to the academic, sports or music boosters groups so they can continue supporting the extracurricular activities that get teens involved, challenge them, and help them grow and achieve.
Do you want to help locally and don’t know where to get started? The United Way of Greater Lorain County aims to improve your community by focusing on health, education and financial stability. Giving to the local United Way is an investment in your neighbors and your community.
Is a friend on Facebook touting a GoFundMe campaign or something similar? A small donation can go a long way in helping individuals with medical bills or funeral expenses.
How can you donate?
If you’d like to donate money, you may want to check with an organization to see how its funds are used to make sure the money is going toward something you want to support. The website GuideStar (guidestar. org) provides information on every IRS-registered nonprofit organization, so you can compare how funds are used at different agencies.
If you’re looking to donate time, you can find an organization through volunteermatch. org.
An easy way to give a lot with little effort: Find a blood drive near you by visiting redcross.org/give-blood.
The Morning Journal has its own charity program. Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child provides new clothes and shoes to area children in need. All donations go to the children; The Morning Journal funds all administrative costs.
Readers can make monetary donations in person at The Morning Journal, or online at www.morningjournal.com/clotheachild. Checks or money orders can be made out to The Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-a-Child Program and mailed to: The Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-a-Child Program, c/o The Morning Journal, 2500 West Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44053. Please indicate how you would like your name to appear in our published donor lists. To volunteer, contact Linda Batozynski, coordinator of the program, at 440245-6901, ext. 90722.