As the smell of turkey and cranberry sauce fills the air and our hearts are filled with thankfulness, we are reminded to take time to count our blessings. We know it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and forget what truly matters. We want to encourage you to join us as we give thanks to our heavenly Father for so many things during this turbulent year and make time to make a positive impact in the world around us.
Join us as we celebrate Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity holiday that was created in 2012 with the idea of encouraging people to do good on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving! It’s after Thanksgiving, and right before Christmas. Good timing, right?
So grab your kids, your grandkids, spouse, bestie, or small group and give back this Tuesday. Whether it’s giving your time or a monetary donation, you can celebrate the holiday season with generosity in mind.
Participating in Giving Tuesday can feel overwhelming. Here are a few ideas and organizations to help you get started:
- Pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.
- The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the good news of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations. You can pack a shoebox and drop it off at a local donation site, build a shoebox online, or donate funds so others can build it. Find all the details and a collection site near you here.
- Sponsor a Child through Compassion International.
- Compassion International works to release as many children as possible from poverty in Jesus’ name. One of the ways it does so is through child sponsorships. When you think of sponsoring a child, it’s easy to assume you are only impacting one person. While the focus is indeed on the one child, the entire community where that child lives is impacted as well. Learn more about how you can help by visiting compassion.com/lifeway.
- Compassion International works to release as many children as possible from poverty in Jesus’ name. One of the ways it does so is through child sponsorships. When you think of sponsoring a child, it’s easy to assume you are only impacting one person. While the focus is indeed on the one child, the entire community where that child lives is impacted as well. Learn more about how you can help by visiting compassion.com/lifeway.
- Become a Freedom Sponsor with A21.
- A21 is one of the largest organizations in the world that is solely fighting human trafficking at a local, domestic, and international level. All over the world, A21 is not just responding to trafficking that is already taking place, but it is actively working on the frontlines to prevent it from happening to begin with. Learn more and join the fight here.
- A21 is one of the largest organizations in the world that is solely fighting human trafficking at a local, domestic, and international level. All over the world, A21 is not just responding to trafficking that is already taking place, but it is actively working on the frontlines to prevent it from happening to begin with. Learn more and join the fight here.
- Support International Missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
- The International Mission Board exists to partner with churches to empower limitless missionary teams who are making disciples and multiplying churches among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God. One hundred percent of the money given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goes to sending and sustaining missionaries. You can give and find resources to help mobilize your church to participate in God’s mission through giving. Learn more about how money is used to reach the world for Christ here.
- The International Mission Board exists to partner with churches to empower limitless missionary teams who are making disciples and multiplying churches among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God. One hundred percent of the money given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goes to sending and sustaining missionaries. You can give and find resources to help mobilize your church to participate in God’s mission through giving. Learn more about how money is used to reach the world for Christ here.
- Donate to a local food bank.
- Volunteer or collect and donate food to a local food bank. The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs throughout the United States and leads the nation to engage in the fight against hunger. You can find your local food bank here.
- Volunteer or collect and donate food to a local food bank. The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs throughout the United States and leads the nation to engage in the fight against hunger. You can find your local food bank here.
- Collect items for various church ministries, local homeless shelters, addiction centers, or other ministries in your area.
- Consider the needs of your church ministries (clothes closet, food pantry, etc.), look to local homeless shelters, addiction centers, community centers, and crisis pregnancy centers, and reach out to see what needs they have. Serving together is a great way to build community within your small group or Sunday school class.
- Consider the needs of your church ministries (clothes closet, food pantry, etc.), look to local homeless shelters, addiction centers, community centers, and crisis pregnancy centers, and reach out to see what needs they have. Serving together is a great way to build community within your small group or Sunday school class.
- Adopt first responders and pray for them by name.
- Connect with local police stations, fire departments, and first responders to request a list of names. Adopt each individual, perhaps sending cards or small gifts (donuts or coffee work great!), and commit to praying for him/her by name.
Giving Tuesday can be an easy way for you, your family, friends, and church to help people through supporting a local or national charity. We’d love to hear how you’re celebrating! Share your Giving Tuesday ideas and experiences in the comments below.
Juliana Wilson is the social media and influencer marketing specialist for Lifeway Women. She is passionate about encouraging women and girls to dig into God’s Word and pursue an active relationship with Christ every day. Juliana loves Instagram-worthy ice cream, coffee dates, and traveling with her husband, Ben. Look for them on the 2021 season of NBC’s show, American Ninja Warrior!
