Around this time I love all of my blogger friends and influencers out there that make my shopping easier by doing gift guides, which saves my time and stress when shopping for friends and family! I mean you can literally find the most specific gift guide for that really specific person that wants that very specific something. Thank you internets!
Well, this year on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday I will be sharing on Instagram stories with you some of my favorite bloggers gift guides, but what I wanted to provide you all a different way of spending this weekend. Some of you may not know that I actually majored in Non-Profit Management (yes that is actually a major) in college so non-profits have been a bit part of my professional life and personal with volunteering at numerous agencies. So here is a list of agencies that I have worked with in the past and have personally experienced their mission and with links on how you can donate. If you are unable to donate you can volunteer or just share these links on social media! Happy Holidays everyone!
Big Brother Big Sister of America– I volunteered for this organization through college and I was a big sister for about 3 years. It was truly an amazing experience that I will never forget!
Mission Statement: For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.
The YMCA– The Y was actually my first “real” job after college and I have experienced the impact first hand that health and community can make for kids and their families.
Mission Statement: We know that lasting personal and social change comes about when we all work together. That’s why at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
Indy Amani– When I lived in Indianapolis in my free time I would volunteer at the offices of Indy Amani Jewelry. I have worked along side the founders of this organization and have experienced their passion for this mission first hand. Also, the jewelry is so beautiful!
Mission Statement: Indy Amani makes Amani bead jewelry—necklaces, bracelets, key chains, & gratitude chains, and sells the jewelry and Kenyan market items to raise money for New Life Homes Orphanages. The beads are made in Kenya by women in a fair-trade business, the Kazuri Bead Factory. These ceramic beads, which are seconds, are donated to Amani, brought to the United States, and made into beautiful bracelets, key chains, necklaces, and earrings by the Indy Amani volunteers.
Dress for Success– When I first moved to DC, Dress for Success, was the first volunteer experience I had in this new city. Accepting and sorting donations and hearing the stories of women who have been personally impacted by this organization shows how needed these types of organizations are in communities.
Mission Statement: Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Be the Match: This organization holds a very personal place in my heart since I was a bone marrow donor for my late father. Although I was the donor when his cancer came back we would have had to use this registry to find an individual that was a match to extend his life. You never know, you may be the match to save someones life!
Mission Statement: For the thousands of people diagnosed every year with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, a cure exists. Over the past 25 years Be The Match ® , operated by the National Marrow Donor Program ® (NMDP), has managed the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world. We work every day to save lives through transplant.
xo
-Catherine
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