Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving. GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community. As a responsible corporate citizen, United Imaging and United Interiors supports many worthwhile charities, civic groups, and non-profit organizations in communities. Our employees are personally active in civic organizations, and donate their time and resources to help improve quality of life for their neighbors. Participation in charitable programs not only benefits our work environment, it also amplifies our efforts to give back to the communities where we live and work. Through our scholarship programs, matching gifts, and volunteer encouragement, we recognize, reward, and encourage employee generosity.
One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community.
How are you giving back this holiday season?
Think about spreading it beyond the walls of your company?
You know how the annual holiday party always brings a smile to your employees’ faces. What if this year you brought that same smile to the faces of people who aren’t your employees? Over the years, more and more companies and their employees have been participating in events that help them do just that for those in need in their area. It’s a great way to celebrate the holidays and give something to those less fortunate.
Create a Giving Tree
Charities are always in need of donations, especially during the holiday season. A Giving Tree is a wonderful way for employees to experience the joy of giving. All you need is a Holiday tree and a list of items your local charities need. Write the items on colored tags and hang them on the tree. Employees can then select a tag, purchase that item, wrap it, and place it under the tree. Then right before the holidays, you can ask for a few volunteers to bring the items to the charity to be handed out. If you don’t want to add to your employees already long holiday shopping lists, you can always ask that they just donate money or gift cards instead. And then right before the holidays start, have a company meeting and announce how much money you collected for the charity. They’ll appreciate knowing that because of them the holidays will be a little brighter for someone less fortunate.
Sponsor a Family
Contact a local homeless shelter or a shelter for abused women and children. Ask for the wish list for a few of the families staying there. Then divide your office into groups and give each group a family to buy for. This is a great opportunity for people from different departments to work together and spread some joy to the people who need it the most.
Hold a Silent Auction
If your company is having a holiday party, add a silent auction to the festivities. It’s a great way to have fun and raise money for a local charity at the same time. Of course, your company will have to purchase the items being auctioned off or ask local businesses/clients to donate them. But it’s a really fun way to raise donations.
Sign up for a Local Charity Event
Find out if there are any events happening in your area to support charities. Then sign up your company as a team. If there aren’t any events happening, consider volunteering for a local food bank or soup kitchen.
About #GivingTuesday
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Check out the GivingTuesday directory to help you find organizations, charities, events and more in your own community. https://www.givingtuesday.org/whats-happening-near-me