Giving Tuesday In The CSRA
Giving Tuesday is a fairly recent tradition started in 2012. It began as a way to raise money for non-profit 501c organizations all over the world. Coming on the heels of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, it’s a nice way to give back to your community. And it’s become a real blessing for many of our local non profits in recent years.
Keep it local
While there are plenty of global and national causes you can give to this year, I highly recommend finding something a little closer to home. Nothing against the bigger, more well established charities, but we have plenty of needed funds right here in the CSRA.
Pass along the goodness
What better way to show your gratitude for the good things in your life than by helping those in our community most in need? And if you have money to give this year, the best way to spend it is towards charities that you really connect to. For me, my favorite charities center around animals. I can tell you from personal experience that local animal rescues provide a wealth of service to our communities all over the CSRA. It’s a thankless job trying to find loving homes for the multitude of unwanted pets in our area.And yet the folks who do it show up day after day to work on behalf of the animals.
Here are just a few local rescues that could use a helping hand this #GivingTuesday:
Southern Souls rescue
Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue
Hands to Paws Rescue
Aiken Equine Rescue
Of course, these are merely a handful of organizations you can give to this year. Find a nonprofit that you really connect with at https://greatnonprofits.org/city/augusta/GA. On that site, you’ll find every kind of organization raising money for a multitude of causes. There’s everything from homeless rehousing, children’s charities, art & culture, mental health and food donation. You can certainly find one that sparks a connection to your own personal interests. As always, do your due diligence about any organization you want to sponsor. But if you are led to help out this year, you’ll find a bevy of thankful neighbors trying to make our community a better place to live!
Giving Back To The Community - Volunteer Opportunities in Augusta This Holiday Season
While giving back to the community is great to do any time of year, it seems the holiday season is when we really think about it. Now here we are, already in November, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up quickly. If you’re thinking of ways you can give back this holiday season, read on for some volunteer opportunities in Augusta.
Volunteering
There are many ways you can volunteer and help out the community this holiday season. Many organizations need additional help this time of year to help families who are experiencing hard times. And also, as the weather gets colder, providing resources for those who are experiencing financial hardships or homelessness.
Volunteer opportunities vary depending on the organization. Some need help preparing food for holiday meals. Others are in need of help serving the meals. And then there are other opportunities to help raise funds or collect donations. You can often volunteer for short periods of time, while other places ask for year-round volunteers.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is a great way to help those who are less fortunate. You can make a difference in their lives in ways that you may never see. But volunteering feels good. It’s great to know that you can contribute to your community and bring a smile or relief to a family in need.
Being a volunteer is a great reminder to be thankful this time of year. If you’ve been tremendously blessed, it feels good to help spread that love and blessing to others.
While volunteering, you also get to meet a variety of people. It’s a great chance to step out of your usual circle and meet new people and learn about them. You never know who you might meet. Not only could you have an impact on people right here in the community, you might also meet someone who changes your life.
If you’ve ever had the chance to hear stories from people who have dealt with challenges, you may know what I mean. Hearing about the struggles these people have had to overcome can greatly impact you. It’s an eye-opening experience. Families who’ve dealt with job losses, sickness, loss… It’s a powerful reminder of how strong we are, and how blessed we are.
You could make new friends, learn new skills, and learn more about the community. Overall, volunteering is a heartwarming experience for all involved. You have the chance to give back and make a difference right here in your community. See more about the benefits of volunteering HERE.
If you’ve got some time this holiday season, check out some of these opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunities in Augusta
If you have an opportunity to add to the list, please email [email protected].
Michelle is the producer for the Austin Rhodes show afternoons from 3pm-6pm on WGAC. She's known and been friends with Austin since they were both starting out in their 20's. She's been in the Augusta market on News Talk, Top40, Country and Rock radio on morning shows, middays and afternoons for many years. You also may have heard her in Charleston SC, Columbia SC, Savannah GA and even Des Moines Iowa! Michelle likes to focus her stories on local history, local happenings and local animals in need. She loves spending time with her rescue dogs, her horses and listening to fun new music.
