After a flurry of shopping over the holiday weekend, today is an excellent reminder of the spirit of the season. Giving Tuesday serves as a call to action to give back. It takes place every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. There are plenty of ways to get involved whether it’s by making a donation, volunteering your time, or simply with a kind gesture. The other day on Instagram I asked for some of the nonprofits that you support. I’d like to share those with everyone. Matt and I have also decided to support some of these organizations by making a few donations and I’ll be announcing more on stories later today.

Nonprofit Spotlight

Women for Women International 

This organization focuses on supporting women in 10 conflict-affected countries by giving them access to a year-long social and economic empowerment program. These women are able to learn marketable skills to be able to provide for themselves and their families while learning from other women in the program.

Navajo Water Project 

Navajo are 67 times more likely than other Americans to live without running water or a toilet. This nonprofit aims to put a dent in that stat with a community-managed service that brings hot and cold running water to homes without access to water or sewer lines.

Light the Night

Light the Night is a fundraising walk that benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Their mission is to support research, patient access, as well as policy and advocacy for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 

This organization tackles this devastating aspect of mental illness. They raise awareness, fund scientific research, provide resources and aid to those impacted, and advocate for policy.

Ripple Effect 22

This is a faith-based organization that provides career-focused mentorship for youth. They do their work through projects, dinners, education counseling, and skills training.

Animal Shelters

There are lots of choices here like the ASPCA that deals with animal homelessness and animal cruelty.  The Humane Society of New York addresses similar issues as well as healthcare.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

This is one of the world’s leading pediatric cancer research centers. Their mission is to treat and find cures for cancer and other catastrophic illnesses at zero cost to the patient.

Food Bank for New York City 

1 in 6 children in New York City relies on soup kitchens and pantries for dinner. 1,202,000,000 free meals have been provided thanks to this service. In addition to meals the food bank also provides resources and education to 1.5 million New Yorkers in need.

Exclusively For T-Mobile Users

Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app and T-Mobile will make a donation to Feeding America. You can also tweet today using the hashtag #GivingOnUs, T-Mobile will help feeding America by providing 10 free meals. Two easy way to give back that don’t cost a dime! Thank you T-Mobile for being such an amazing company to give back to your community!

Gifts That Give Back

Want to give a gift with a little more meaning this holiday season? There are tons of companies out there doing a lot of good. For example, the purchase of this bag provides 50 school meals and can reduce the use of plastic bags helping the environment. Buying this pair of sunglasses means someone in need gets a pair of glasses. If you buy from this bedding set, the company buys a bed net to help prevent the spread of malaria. You can also always make a donation in someone’s name to a cause that’s near and dear to them.

Spending money isn’t the only way to give back today. Sometimes it’s just as simple as a kind word or a smile to someone who looks like they might be having a tough day. It’s amazing what these small gestures can do.

I’d love to hear how you participated today in Giving Tuesday. Let me know in the comments below. You can tag me in your #unselfie on Instagram too!

xo, Olivia