By: KATE SAARI
You know that feeling you get when you do something for someone else? You have an euphoric moment, because you are being selfless and you know someone else benefited in some way because of you. This season may seem a little gray and the possibility of a grin seems irrational, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try our best to make someone else’s holiday special. With all the terrible events that have hit our world within the past year, I think everyone needs a little something to make them feel good about themselves and also to give something back to our hapless planet. This winter, maybe consider donating to a charity or to a non-profit organization that helps support something you’re passionate about or just an institution that is in need of a little love. Donating time or money to ANY organization is exemplary, I am just going to list a few examples of some charities to spark motivation in you!
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website
With COVID-19 alone, this time has caused millions of poor innocent people to feel alone. Not being able to connect with the people you love and care about, changing your entire life routine to fit the guidelines, even the thought of not feeling safe etc. During this unpredictable period, a large portion of our youth has developed thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. Sometimes your struggle can be underestimated because of your age, but know this isn’t the end and you aren’t alone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is a national network of over 180 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. Your generosity would help strengthen their growing infrastructure, support Lifeline callers, and change the conversation around suicide prevention. With and without this pandemic, suicide has been a major issue for a long time. Being able to support a cause that could help save somebody’s life by giving them someone to talk to, as well as spreading needed education amongst individuals on this crisis sounds like a great way to make our world a better place. Call 1-800-273-8255 if you are considering suicide and need help. Every struggle is different, but the Lifeline is there for you 24/7.
World Resources Institute
World Resources Institute Website
Our planet needs help, and it needs it now. Our environment is being mistreated in several different ways and by doing that, we are producing wildfires, longer periods of drought in some regions and an increased duration and intensity of tropical storms etc. Our world isn’t going to end tomorrow, but if we keep putting aside these milieu problems, terrible things will begin to happen that could have been prevented by society. The World Resources Institute is a research organization that goes beyond research to create solutions to sustain our natural resources. The nonprofit works in over 50 countries to address the topics of climate, food, water, energy, cities and transport, and forests. They measure their success through real change on the ground. Their approach involves three essential steps: Count It, Change It, and Scale It. What that means is they first conduct independent research and draw on the latest technology to develop new insights and recommendations. Then, they use their research to influence government policies, business strategies, and civil society action. They work with partners to deliver change on the ground that alleviates poverty and strengthens society. The final motive, don’t think small. Once tested, they work with partners to adopt and expand their efforts regionally and globally. They measure success through government and business actions that improve people’s lives and sustain a healthy environment. “The world is on an unsustainable path. We simply cannot afford to keep doing things the way we’ve always done them. WRI develops solutions to sustain the world’s natural resources—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being.” wrote The WRI. To help today, go to to support people who are truly trying to make a change for our Earth.
National Alliance to End Homelessness
The National Alliance to End Homelessness Website
While being homeless may seem indirect to you, there are over half a million Americans who are dealing with it right now. Some people will blame mental illnesses as the top motive for people living on the streets, when actually the main reason is they cannot find housing they can afford. Especially with Covid-19, thousands of people have lost jobs and can’t afford to pay their bills that they normally would have been able to. Not discluding the fact that mental illness is an extreme factor, both primarily can conduct them to become vagrant. The National Alliance to End Homelessness is improving the homelessness policy, building knowledge through research, and enhancing capacity. There are solutions to this topic, such as creating a coordinating approach, affordable housing, assistance to the most vulnerable, and increasing employment and income. Although, these can’t all happen overnight, we have to work up to these ideal results. A great start would be giving a donation to the foundation, which you would be supporting the alliance’s efforts on the work they are doing to end homelessness. Click on Help End Homelessness to donate now.
Researching all these non-profit organizations has genuinely helped me open my eyes to real problems with our world. I am so thankful there are people that dedicate themselves to helping other people at zero cost, while also working and supporting their own families and selves at the same time. Now more than ever, everybody has needed a little support, so by providing funds or time to a charity can make a huge difference. Every dollar and minute counts, regardless of the total amount. As little as giving someone a compliment, too as big as starting your own non profit organization. Make a difference.
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