By MICHELLE BERAN
Cottonwood Extension District
One of the ways that I have an opportunity to give back in my communities is by serving on the Golden Belt Community Foundation Board. While you have the opportunity to give to one of your favorite 126 organizations from now until Giving Tuesday on December 2, you can absolutely donate to those organizations all year!
I appreciate that organizations like community foundations exist because they allow donors to contribute amounts that work in their budget to compile with everyone else’s small amount to do great work!
In addition, right now our food pantries and food banks are doing critical work across our communities. Can I fund a whole day or week? No, but I can add a few extra items to drop off to help others.
Do I have extra coats taking up space in a closet that haven’t been worn for a couple of years? I get to remove some clutter from my home and benefit someone else! Several years ago, a closet clean-out by one of my adult children resulted in a bag of gently worn shoes that no longer fit. We were able to donate these to a center who made sure that each pair had a new home.
Our family lived on tight budgets for several years and one of my favorite activities during that time was to help my kids understand that even though we didn’t have a lot, there were others in much tougher circumstances. This led to good activities of regularly going through toy boxes and donating books and toys to our library and other organizations.
Yes, please check out the opportunities for Giving Tuesday in your communities and, especially the Golden Belt Community Foundation which serves four counties.
But also, look for small and large ways that you can give every day – holding a door, sharing a smile or a wave, volunteering at your church or civic organization, and perhaps donating to a cause that is near and dear to your heart.
Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!
Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at [email protected] or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.