Celebrating Giving Tuesday 2023
Every year Giving Tuesday gives all of us the chance to “unleash the power of radical generosity” through compassion and change. Giving Tuesday 2023 is on November 28 and is going to be one of the greatest days of the year for generosity, hope, and healing. Each year, the rush of consumerism from Black Friday to Cyber Monday gives way to a day dedicated to generosity and impactful giving. It was created to give everyone a chance to breathe and look outward in the middle of the biggest shopping season of the year. Giving Tuesday encourages us to pause and shift our attention to those who could most benefit from our kindness, volunteering, and financial support.
Imagine if this Giving Tuesday could mark more than just a single day of generosity; what if it was the beginning of a long-term commitment to impact lives? This is where your support of Mercy Ships comes into play. Your partnership on this unique day provides free surgeries to people in Africa who are suffering from treatable conditions but lack the access to surgical and medical care they need. You can be part of transforming their lives!
As we go a little deeper into the significance of Giving Tuesday, how it started, and all the ways you can get involved, we hope you join us on this National Day of Giving to create new stories of hope and healing.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Amid the shopping frenzy that begins with Black Friday and stretches through Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday emerges as a beacon for positive change. Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (that’s November 28 this year), it is a day dedicated to taking a step back to volunteer or contribute to causes making a difference in people’s lives right now.
The idea is simple, but profound: a collective moment of global generosity. Rather than simply providing temporary relief or small gestures of kindness, Giving Tuesday aims to catalyze meaningful, long-term change. It transcends geographic and cultural barriers to unite people from all walks of life in the spirit of giving.
When we turn our collective focus toward those in need, we have an opportunity to not only meet immediate demands but also contribute to lasting solutions. When you partner with us, or any of the thousands of organizations participating in Giving Tuesday, you are taking part in the transformational impact Giving Tuesday can have.
Who Started Giving Tuesday?
It all started in 2012 at the historic 92nd Street Y in New York City. They partnered with the United Nations Foundation to launch the first Giving Tuesday. The idea was to counterbalance the consumer-driven culture that peaks during the holiday season.
By creating a dedicated day for giving, the founders aimed to encourage a different type of transaction: one that involved giving back to communities, both locally and globally. The concept caught on like wildfire, and today, Giving Tuesday is observed worldwide, drawing the participation of millions of individuals and organizations committed to making a lasting positive difference.
How Does Giving Tuesday Work?
Giving Tuesday operates on a simple, yet powerful principle: collective action for the greater good. It doesn’t prescribe a particular form of giving, which means the possibilities are vast. Whether it’s donating money to charitable organizations, volunteering your time, or even helping a neighbor, the day encourages a wide range of philanthropic activities.
Many organizations, including Mercy Ships, run specific campaigns to increase the focus on charity. That’s why you’ll see your social media feed filled with positive messages of non-profits promoting Giving Tuesday.
In recent years, innovative approaches like crowdfunding and matching gifts have also gained traction. The impact is quantifiable; each year, Giving Tuesday raises hundreds of millions of dollars for vital causes around the globe.
Last year, charities all over the world raised over $2.7 billion. This year, with your help, we hope to make that number even bigger. But it’s not about the number. It’s about the amount of lives we can change together. That’s what Giving Tuesday is about.
How to Participate in Giving Tuesday?
It’s easy to get involved with Giving Tuesday this year. With multiple avenues to give, there’s a way for everyone to get involved. Here are a few ideas:
• Donate: Your financial generosity is essential for non-profits to serve people, champion causes, and transform the world.
• Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to organizations in need, either locally or through virtual opportunities.
• Fundraise: Leverage your network to raise awareness and funds for a cause you care deeply about.
• Social Media: Use your online presence to spread the word, share stories, and motivate others to act. You have no idea how a simple share on Facebook or Instagram can make a huge difference.
• In-Kind Donations: Many organizations accept goods like food, clothes, and medical supplies.
• Corporate Matching: Take advantage of employer-matching gift programs to double the impact of your donation.
• Be Creative: From bake sales to crafting, there’s no limit to how you can generate resources and awareness.
• Teach: Use the occasion to educate others on the importance of giving, creating a ripple effect of generosity.
Remember, the goal is to take concrete actions that make a positive difference. Even small contributions can yield significant results when amplified by the collective power of global participation.
Why Should You Consider Mercy Ships This Giving Tuesday?
We live in a world where healthcare is not universally accessible, which is why Mercy Ships’ mission of hope and healing is so impactful. By providing free surgical procedures and medical care to those who have none, we are able to change lives in the most direct and profound ways. Your Giving Tuesday contribution could be the difference between life and death, despair and hope, isolation, and community for people in desperate need.
Why choose Mercy Ships?
- Transformative Impact: Mercy Ships doesn’t just offer short-term aid but provides life-altering surgeries and medical care in countries with limited resources.
- Global Reach: Operating primarily in Africa, Mercy Ships serves communities that are otherwise forgotten, making your gift go further in terms of impact.
- Transparency and Accountability: High operational standards and transparent financial practices ensure your gifts are put to good use.
- Holistic Care: Beyond surgeries, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare providers, ensuring a long-term impact.
Who Does Mercy Ships Serve?
For the past 45 years, Mercy Ships has seen thousands of children and adults suffering from conditions like bowed legs, cataracts, painful burn scars, and tumors. Without surgery, these treatable conditions begin to weigh on lives and futures. But hope and healing are possible.
Meet Satou:
When Satou was 4 years old, a kitchen accident left her with burns along her neck and body. Without access to quality care, those burns became painful scars that left the little girl unable to turn her head freely. Satou’s family feared she would never escape the pain and difficulties her condition caused, but surgery changed her future. Today Satou can move freely and embrace life with new joy.
Meet Papa:
Papa worried the tumor on his face would dash his prospects as a mechanic. After surgery on board the Global Mercy, the young man began making a list of all the ways his future had changed: “I want to go back to work, I want to spend time with my family. Eventually, I want to get married and have children of my own!”
Meet Malang:
Malang is a vibrant 5-year-old despite the struggles he faces every day from his bowed legs. Not only were his steps touched by pain, but the mockery of others became a new weight in his heart. Without access to surgery, his father, Sadio, feared that Malang would carry these burdens throughout his life. Thankfully, compassion helped bring hope and Malang was able to receive surgery on board the Global Mercy. As Sadio watched his son take his first steps after his operation, he realized that his son’s struggle was ending. “When I look at him, my heart is happy, because everything will change for him.”
In short, your one-time or monthly gift to Mercy Ships is more than a donation; it’s a pledge to make the world a better place, one life at a time. This Giving Tuesday, your kindness can be someone’s miracle.
How Can You Help?
This Giving Tuesday, be the change you wish to see in the world. Your contribution, no matter how small, can have a transformative effect. It’s as easy as clicking the donate button below to help transform lives, sharing this article to spread awareness, or volunteering in a way that speaks to your heart. Act now, and let’s create a wave of generosity that resonates around the globe.
Donate to Mercy Ships Now
Conclusion
As we approach Giving Tuesday 2023, let’s embrace this unique opportunity to activate the universal language of kindness. In doing so, we not only better the lives of individuals but also create more equitable, compassionate communities. Mercy Ships provides an extraordinary platform for effecting such transformative change, one that merits your attention and support this Giving Tuesday. Together, let’s set sail on a voyage of giving, spreading waves of hope far and wide.