Google Search: Being Generous

www.KarissaLaurel.com

 There are only three more sleeps left until Christmas Day, and this will be the last post from ATB until after the holiday, so I thought it would be a good idea to do something "Christmasy." But it was also time for me to do one of ATB's regular features, which is a "Google Search". These are the basic directions for a Google Search post:

• Start a random search string in Google (or could be from one of your previous searches) 
• Choose one of Google’s suggestions
• Write up a post (or some flash fiction if you’re feeling really creative)

 I really did want to write about something that went along with this special season, but I was kind of drawing a blank until I clicked the "I feel Lucky" search box on Google's main search page, and it suggested a bunch of results relating to "I feel Generous."

Perfect!

Granted there are only a few days left for gift giving, but giving really is what this time of year is all about.  

The first result in the Google suggestion results for "I feel Generous" were various links to support citizens of Ukraine during this time of war with invading forces from Russia.  This link includes legitimate ways to give to refugees and displaced families:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/editorial_collection/promotion_topic_donations?hl=en_US&pli=1

The donation would be especially timely considering Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Capitol Hill last night specifically to ask for additional aid from the U.S.

Ukrainian Flag

The "I feel Generous" link also made me think of some local organizations near and dear to my heart. I'll post them here, but I encourage you to find local counterparts in your neighborhood.

https://ncdiaperbank.org/

Most of us do not spend a lot of time thinking about diapers. But if you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver without enough of them, they can become a major source of stress, guilt, and desperation. Public safety net programs such as The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, previously known as Food Stamps) do not cover the purchase of diapers, often leaving families with a difficult decision between buying diapers and other necessities with their limited funds. For families in need, something as small as a diaper can have a significant impact.

The Diaper Bank also provides menstruation products to folks in need. I believe in this organization because they are all about preserving people's dignity and providing help in real and immediate ways.

Consider donating, buying items from their Amazon wishlist (which will be shipped straight to their door) or finding if your state or city has it's own local Diaper Bank.

Here's a link to the NC Diaper Bank for donation information:  https://ncdiaperbank.networkforgood.com/projects/58385-donate-today-change-today-change-a-life

Here is their Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2O3OOZZ8PA2ZD (make sure to choose their address as the shipping address when checking out)

https://www.toysfortots.org/Default.aspx

When you're a kid, what is Christmas without toys? It's not a luxury. Toys are crucial to childhood development. Play-time feeds a kid's heart, mind, and soul. The agency I work for in my day-job is a big Toys for Tots supporter, and it's my understanding that Toys for Tots is running a little low on donations this year. 

If, somehow, you've never heard of Toys for Tots, here is some information straight from their website

FOUNDATION MISSION: The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to assist the U. S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. This assistance includes providing day-to-day leadership and oversight of the Program, raising funds to provide toys to supplement the collections of local Toys for Tots Campaigns, to provide promotional and support material and defray the costs of conducting annual Toys for Tots Campaigns. Other Foundation support includes providing administrative, advisory, financial, logistic and promotional support to local Toys for Tots Coordinators; managing funds raised and monies donated based on the use of Toys for Tots name or logo; providing other support the Marine Corps, as a federal agency, cannot provide; and conducting public education and information programs about Toys for Tots that call the general public to action in support of this patriotic community action program.

FOUNDATION OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the Foundation are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to improving communities in the future.

There are multiple ways to donate. You can give actual physical toys, money to purchase toys, and time to help organize and deliver the toys. Find out more here:  https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/Default.aspx 

https://give.raleighrescue.org/give/273438/#!/donation/checkout

I'll end my post with this last charity, which is very local to me, but similar agencies exist all over the country. As you're probably aware, most of the US is experiencing an arctic cold snap. It's VERY cold almost everywhere right now, which means it's an especially difficult for people without warm homes to protect them from the cold. One local organization in my home town helps meet the needs of the homeless.

From their website:

Stability, then transformation. Implementing true change takes time. We’re dedicated to assisting those willing to commit to the task of achieving self-sufficiency. We work diligently with our clients to prepare them to re-enter the workforce, earn a living wage, and build the skills for a fulfilling life. Our end goal is for those who come to us homeless to eventually move into their own rental housing, and then purchase their own home. We do this by providing:

•  Life skills training
• Vocational training
• Financial coaching
• Transportation to and from work
• Purchase of automobile
• Childcare
• Transitional housing
• Permanent housing

Our New Life Plan gives our Clients a 6-phase process that guides them through this transformation.

Link to donate: https://give.raleighrescue.org/give/273438/#!/donation/checkout