International Day of Charity was inspired by the late Mother Teresa who is most known for dedicating her life to charitable service. Originally a Hungarian civil society initiative to commemorate Mother Teresa’s death, International Day of Charity on September 5 took off worldwide in 2012 when the UN declared it an international holiday. Besides honoring Mother Teresa’s tireless work to help others overcome poverty and suffering, the holiday provides a platform for all to join in on charitable opportunities.
While financial donations are the most popular, it is not the only way to give back to your favorite charity or nonprofit. If you can’t make a financial donation on September 5, there are still many ways you can help make a difference. Keep reading for other ideas on how to give back on International Charity Day.
Donate gently used items to your local thrift store
After deep cleaning your house, closet, or garage be sure to donate your gently used items instead of throwing them away. Thrift stores like St. Vincent de Paul heavily rely on donations to keep their charitable programs afloat.
Donate your time to a local charity
Time is money and can be just as effective when lending a helping hand. Charities and nonprofit organizations frequently have volunteer opportunities available, from assembling essential item kits to feeding the unhoused to helping clean up a space for better usage. Opportunities can range from weekly opportunities to seasonal ones, and it really depending on the organization and their services. Check-in with your local charity to learn about their volunteer programs.
Follow and give love on social media
Social media is a great way to interact with your local charity and keep up with the good work they are doing. By following their account, liking and commenting on their content, you’re showing your appreciation for their work. It can also increase the chances of their content to be shown to others outside of their direct following, raising further awareness about their services.
Start a fundraiser on social media
And while we’re on social media, most platforms have the opportunity to start a fundraiser for local and international charities. Fundraisers are most popular on birthdays with people requesting donations to be made to their charity of choice in place of a traditional birthday gift. You can also create a special fundraiser for special events or holidays like the International Day of Charity. It’s a win-win for all!
Shop on AmazonSmile
You can give back your favorite charitable cause when shopping on Amazon. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select your charity of choice. This will donate a percentage of all your qualifying orders on Amazon to a charity of choice. It is a passive way of giving back that quickly adds up!
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-charity/
