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Buy Locally, Give Locally

Thanksgiving is followed quickly by two important days: Small Business Saturday (Saturday, 24 November, 2018) and Giving Tuesday (Tuesday, 27 November, 2018). For Giving Tuesday in particular I would like to highlight some of the small nonprofit organizations that I’ve had contact with this year.

I haven’t donated to or volunteered with all of these organizations. In fact I’ve volunteered with only two, three if you count playing in the Bloomfield Civic Band as volunteering. The point is to encourage you to think about the charitable organizations in your own local area and support them on Giving Tuesday and throughout the year.

If you support a local organization and would like to give them a plug, please leave a comment, and I will add them to this list. You will see several organizations located someplace other than northern New Jersey, which is where I am located. They are small local organizations have been supported by family members and friends. I look forward to hearing from you with a shout out to your favorite nonprofit.

Urban Farming, Sustainable Agriculture

Environment

Autism Awareness and Advocacy

Services for the Homeless and Other Neighbors in Need

Welfare of At-Risk Moms and Children

Music Education and Performing Arts

Miscellaneous

  • Friends of the (your town name here) Public Library

From Andy Walsh  (Mostly Pittsburgh Area)

  • Light of Life Rescue Mission serves the needs of the homeless and others in the Pittsburgh North Side community where I work; in fact, their newest facility will be going up where I used to park.
    https://www.lightoflife.org/
  • The Watson Institute provides services for many individuals and families with special needs, including those with autism spectrum diagnoses. The organization has a rich history, having previously served polio patients and working with Jonas Salk in developing the vaccine.
    https://www.thewatsoninstitute.org/

Final Thoughts

Whether the enterprise is caring for the environment, caring for people who have fallen on hard times, or meeting any one of dozens of other needs, private individuals and small organizations will have a significant role in helping others face the challenges of 2019. This Giving Tuesday I hope we can all stretch our imaginations and our budgets a little to stand in the gap.

Thank you for stopping by!

Pat