My great grandmother Ida was an off-the-boat immigrant from
Russia. Like most families who came
through Ellis Island in the early 1900’s, she had nothing when she got to the
United States.
She and my great grandfather made a life for themselves on
the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It was
a modest life, if that.
No matter how tight money was in my great grandmother’s
house, Ida put a few coins in her Pushka (Yiddish for Charity Box) every Friday
night for the poor. Because even though my family had little, Ida was keenly aware that there were others who had less
than her, and she felt a responsibility to help.
I, like the grandmother I was named for, feel a
responsibility to help as well.
I don’t give for glory or for pats on the back or for the
Facebook photo op.
I give because giving gives me gratitude.
Giving reminds me of what I have and for the many gifts this
life has bestowed upon me.
Giving reminds me to focus on the positive.
I feel grateful when I give because I can give.
I have given through the years where I have had a lot of money and I have given through the years when I have had less money. I believe that the amount one gives does not matter as much as the act of giving itself.
Today, I am taking the Giving Pledge, and I am gratefully
adding the Giving Pledge button to my sidebar. The button and pledge were both created by
fellow blogger, Jennifer Barbour of Another Jennifer Blog and Writing Lab. Please visit Jennifer for Philanthropy
Friday, where Jennifer, “Shares stories of those who
incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and
professionally.”
By taking this pledge, I am making a commitment to donate to
at least one non-profit organization every month. For the next six months (at the least) I will
donate to organizations involved in the Hurricane Sandy rebuilding efforts in
New Jersey.
Won’t you join me in the pledge to donate to one non-profit
every month?
(And please – don’t
forget to place your bid for the bake sale auction!)
Namaste, Divas!
I am honored to have you join me in my giving pledge. It’s been an amazing experience for me, which I will be writing more about at the end of the year. (It’s been almost a year since I pledged! ) And you have great timing, because tomorrow is #GivingTuesday!
I had no idea tomorrow is Giving Tuesday! I am so happy to join you and will hopefully help spread the word!
Here’s the post I wrote about Giving Tuesday – http://anotherjennifer.com/skip-black-friday-and-cyber-monday-to-celebrate-givingtuesday/ 🙂
That’s a really great idea and honestly, your beautiful soul shines through in the post and what you are doing. xoxo
Love how you are using the devastation of Sandy to shine your light so bright on all that is good!
I read a quote the other day that said if we are not needy enough to qualify for charity, then we have the ability to give. It really hit home because for many years my hubby and I didn’t think we could give. We have since learned otherwise, and have become more cheerful givers. It is a delight, indeed, and as you point out, it’s not about the amount, but about the act of giving!
Awesome. We give quite a bit too, and like you, don’t do it for the glory. We do it because it’s the way life should be.
What an awesome idea. I like the idea of harnessing social media to get people giving!
I almost feel like you should work for a non profit now. Your heart is shining through all of this dark and dreary from Sandy. You are always passionate but your kindness has never shown more.
As a family, we make it a point to donate time or money to a few local non profits. I think it is important for the girls to grow up with it as a part of their life so there isn’t a time when they don’t think about helping out…it will hopefully be like brushing their teeth…they just do it without thinking about it.
Thank you for this! I was not as proactive on Tuesday as I would have liked to have been about tweeting and getting this material out there but it was helpful for me – and now with my pledge, giving will be interwoven into my blog on a regular basis:)
What a kind thing to say! I have always been “service minded” but the hurricane has encouraged me to incorporate that part of me into the blog. And that is definitely here to stay.
Thank you Kim – at times, I have “had money” and other times, I have “just slide by” but I have always given, no matter the circumstances – because I have always had something to give, even if it was just a little. And how lucky for me to have that little something to give!
Yes! It IS the way life should be. I completely agree!
Thanks, Jessie. Now that I’ve made this commitment, I’m going to use my big mouth to spread the word. It suits me. And thanks for thinking of me the other day with Charlotte (My Pixie Blog).
I love the fact that you are ingraining this in your kids – that it is just the way life should be. That is awesome that they will grow up with that mind set!
Can I simply ditto what everyone else has said? You are a bright, shining light and I’m grateful that you’re sharing your passion with the blogosphere. You continue to inspire me. Well done, mama!
Thank you Mary. I am toying with the idea of “giving” being a “regular” part or column on the blog – and use this big mouth of mine for “good.” 🙂