Nothing feels better around the holidays than giving back to the community you live in. Here is a list of our favorite charities that can use your help.
Andie's Pick
When I was growing up kids got beat up and bullied all the time. It’s part of growing up, it makes you tough.
Does that sound about right? Because while part of me believes that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, another part of me has learned what doesn’t kill you now might.When I was growing up I got picked on and bullied, I’m sure. But when that happened to me, I would walk away. Sure, I feel bad about myself for a while but then I would talk to my friends or my family and I would start to feel better. You see, the difference between then and now is that kids they can’t walk away. Today, things aren’t like they were when we were growing up. Adolescence and teenagers and even kids in their 20s our bombarded with reasons they are in adequate.
Think about it – even as an adult who already went through all this crap when we were younger, when you want to get away from it all what do you do? You jump on your phone. You look at Facebook or Instagram you’re on Pinterest, and each one of these “escapes“ reminds us again and again just how our lives don’t match up to those around us. Our family isn’t always smiling like other families on Facebook. My Thanksgiving dinner wasn’t as beautiful as all those you see on Pinterest. I’ll never look that good in a bathing suit as the people I see on Instagram. So if we feel it as adults with fully formed brains, how do you think today’s kids are supposed to get through it?
They’re having a hard time. And this is unchartered territory for all of us. Which is why my charity for giving Tuesday is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. All these people do is research and help. You don’t know what you don’t know so turn to someone who does.
If there is a young person in your life that has been a little more quiet recently, having a tough time at school. Maybe their friend group is changed or seems to have disappeared. You need to reach out to that person and make sure they’re OK and that is not an easy conversation. AFSP gives us the tools we need to reach out to those we need it. The people in our lives that we love, who have bright futures ahead of them even if they don’t realize it today.
But maybe it’s not even a young person, maybe it’s a friend or a co-worker, or maybe even yourself. You are not alone. This stuff affects all of us and it won’t go away but we can change our brains to except it differently.
This year, for Giving Tuesday, throw someone a life-saver, and know there’s one waiting for you.
Are you in a crisis? Call 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741
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Learn about suicide, how you can help prevent it, and resources for those affected, from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Our mission: save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide
Dave's Pick
If, like me, you are an animal lover, Philadoptables is worth saluting! After all, their slogan is “helping Philly’s homeless animals everyday”. If you’d like to help out, they are currenting collecting for their annual pet food drive. Oh…and they have some handsome fellas in their “Hunks for Hounds” calendar! 100% of the proceeds go towards their lifesaving work!
Donnie's Pick
There are many charities that are near and dear to my heart. Since we are in the holiday season, I want to highlight a charity that helps collect toys for underprivileged children in the area. That charity is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Camden County. Imagine waking up on Christmas morning as a kid and not having any presents to open. That just breaks my heart and I hope no kid ever has to go through that.
XTU will be holding our annual Toy Truck Parade where we collect toys that benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Camden County. The event happens Saturday, December 11th at Xfinity Live from 11am-1pm. For all of the info on the Toy Truck Parade, click HERE.
Shannon's Pick
Everyone loves the Arts in Philadelphia, but not everyone has access to them because of a disability or low income that prevents them from attending. That’s where Art-Reach steps in. They partner with over 400 organizations to make the Arts accessible to everyone. They are working to make Philly the most accessible Arts city in the country.
This month, Art-Reach is partnering with the Academy of Music to offer a sensory-friendly showing of The Nutcracker.
