Back in 2012, a small group of people gathered to discuss the possibility of using social media for good.  They were living through, what felt to them like “unprecedented disruption in global politics and the global economy.”  This was a time when the use and effectiveness of social media platforms by politicians and private individuals, as a persuasive medium, was being heavily evaluated in mainstream news outlets. This prompted them to wonder what positive change could be effected if people were encouraged, through social media, to take action for a good cause.  Giving Tuesday has grown from that humble, creative and inspired discussion, to become a global movement effecting positive change in 150+ countries and has raised over $400 million dollars.

If you remember, back to a time when you were a child and loved receiving gifts, you probably remember the anticipation, the act of ripping the paper open, and maybe, you even remember the gift.  And then, somewhere along the way, giving became, for you, as it did for most of us, just as fun as receiving.  Selecting just the right gift, watching the receiver’s excitement, and feeling satisfied for having given is, statistically, more satisfying than receiving.  Giving Tuesday is a beautiful way to remind us that giving to our community helps all of us.  It was St. Francis of Assisi who said, “For it is in giving that we receive.”  

And just as it takes all our skills, perspectives and participation to build our communities, it takes our collective communities, working together for the greater good, to create a healthy world.  If we take just one day this year, say, December 3rd (Giving Tuesday) and decide to mow an elderly neighbors lawn, or clean out your closet and give the items to a shelter, or make a financial donation to a non-profit that has effected positive change your families lives, you can make a difference.  It was Henry Ford who said, “ To do more for the world than the world does for you – that is success.”

CKP New Building campaign: http://igfn.us/vf/CKP