Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a way to help us refocus on the spirit of the season by giving from the heart. Here are 10 ways you can help those who are less fortunate.

The True Spirit of the Season – Giving Tuesday

Consider this: You’ve run the gauntlet on Black Friday, walked off Thanksgiving dinner while Shopping Local, wrestled the old keyboard on Cyber Monday, now it’s time to get down to the “reason for the season” Giving Tuesday.

Now if you’re like me, I’m a sucker for helping those less fortunate. Maybe because there have been times in my own life when I needed to rely on others to help me. So I’ve made it my goal to pay it forward whenever I can.

You can do the same. All it takes is a willingness to give and an open heart to hear the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. Want to know how you can positively affect the lives of possibly hundreds, thousands, or even yes, millions, this Tuesday?

Here are 10 positive ways you can help:

1. Doctors without Borders – This organization goes out into the world where there’s a need for emergency medical aid from epidemics, disasters or even no access to any medical care.

2. Save the Children – Gives aid and relief to so many children impoverished throughout the world.

3. Action Against Hunger – This organization was formed in order to end world hunger. Besides getting food to those most needy, especial malnourished children, they also work with local entities to help them access clean drinking water.

4. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – This beloved hospital was founded in 1962 and has been serving children experiencing catastrophic diseases since then. As its hallmark, families of patients experience little if no out-of-pocket medical costs due to the generosity of donors.

5. Red Cross Blood – This is by far one of the largest single suppliers of blood and blood products in the United States. It uses local blood donation centers and donors to provide more than 40 percent of the blood supply needed by over 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.

6. Wounded Warrior Project – This unique service offers direct help to those military service members and their families.

7. Salvation Army – This organization provides compassion, moral and physical support to those facing disaster, addictions, as well as those needing social, family and health care.

8. American Red Cross – Is well-known for its disaster relief at home and abroad. It also provides classes on emergency preparedness, first aid and CPR certification and coordinates blood donations wherever and whenever it is most needed.

RELATED: Charitable Holiday Giving – Huffington Post

9. Operation Christmas Child – This organization has touched millions of lives since its inception. It delivers shoebox gifts around the world for a variety of reasons, much due to disasters, war, famine and other calamities.

10. Samaritan’s Purse – Spreads the Good News and Love of Jesus Christ by helping people throughout the world when they need it most, especial in times of war, issues of poverty, after (and during) natural disasters, outbreaks of disease, and during famine.

Final Thought: Not All Charities are Created Equal

Here’s something to consider when giving. If you are like me, the idea of giving to help someone is enticing. But the sad truth is that what you may think is a legitimate organization may be in fact one that borders on less than charitable and more on the shady side.

Discover which criteria you should consider when making charitable donations, so you can make your giving count.

Check out these must-read resources below:

• List of 10 Top Charities – Real Simple
• America’s Top 50 Charities: How well do they rate? – CS Monitor

Finally, remember it’s really not how much you give as much as it is that you give from the heart.

For more ways to brighten those around you with gifts of love, be sure to check out Wisconsin Homemaker’s Gift Ideas Section.