There’s no doubt about it – the pandemic has changed the way we live, including how we can give back to our community. While it might not be feasible to volunteer at a soup kitchen this year, there are other ways we can give back and stay safe at the same time.
A few ways to give back while maintaining physical distancing include contributing financially, fundraising and donating items. You might even be able to help from the comfort of your home by contributing your knowledge and time to a charity’s administrative and business needs.
When choosing a charity consider your area of expertise, how much time you can contribute and what you’re most passionate about. Regardless of how you choose to help, the act of giving back is sure to make this challenging season all the more rewarding.
Just in time for Giving Tuesday on December 1st, ACW members have shared their favorite charities that could benefit from your support.
The Quincy Animal Shelter’s mission is to advocate for animals by providing safety until home placement of those in our care. They promote spay and neuter programs to control pet overpopulation and continually strive to be the leading community resource for education on proper animal welfare.
Recommended by Lauren Grenier, Director of Marketing, Granite: “I am a proud board member and marketing manager of the non-profit organization Quincy Animal Shelter. I absolutely love animals, and although I do not have any of my own, I wanted to help and volunteer any way I could to place these loving pets safely in forever homes.”
Donate: www.quincyanimalshelter.org/get-involved/donate/
Noah Project – A No-Kill Animal Shelter
Noah Project is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that is 100 percent funded by community donations. They provide compassionate care to abused, unwanted and surrendered pets. Animals in their care are spayed or neutered, receive all appropriate veterinary care and are treated with love and respect as they await to be matched into loving forever homes! Their goal is to educate the community on animal welfare, collaborate with other shelters and ultimately strive for a world where every companion animal has a loving home.
Recommended by Mary Muir, President at Core Connections: “I have volunteered at different animal shelters over the years. This shelter is like no other where I have been. They give every dog and cat attention and affection every single day. This is the only shelter where I did not feel guilty walking out of the building without taking a pet home with me. All the employees and volunteers truly love the animals that end up there. I am a past board member, past fundraising chair and still help with fundraising even though I no longer live in the same city.”
Donate: www.noahprojectmuskegon.org/donate/
MSWW was founded on the belief that when you give a woman access to education and the tools needed to become self-empowered, you lift her up as well as those around her and, ultimately, the world. One hundred percent of donations to MSWW go directly to fund scholarships in business and STEM, as well as emotional intelligence and self-empowerment programs for women and girls experiencing financial and opportunity barriers. Also, all royalties earned from the sale of professional development books for women written by MSWW Founder Cheryl O’Donoghue are donated to MSWW.
Recommended by Khali Henderson, Senior Partner, BuzzTheory: “MSWW is founded by one of my favorite women, Cheryl O’Donoghue. I’m inspired by her smarts, humor and passion for helping women explore STEM careers. This year, I was honored to be named to the MSWW Advisory Board and have seen firsthand the power that MSWW scholarships and training have on young women in need.
Donate: https://missionsisterswhowork.org/donate/
STAR – Standing Together Against Rape
Since 1978, STAR has been responding to the needs of survivors of sexual assault, while integrating prevention and education programs with a goal of reducing harm to all Alaskans. They are an amazing group of dedicated employees and volunteers that help combat Alaska’s high rate of sexual abuse.
Recommended by Lou Ann Poage, Senior Program Manager, Carrier Relations, Alaska Communications: “I am a long-time supporter of STAR because they take on a very difficult subject and problem and step in where others do not.”
Donate: www.staralaska.com/donate
World Central Kitchen uses the power of food to heal communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Chef Relief Team mobilizes to the front lines with the urgency of now to start cooking and provide meals to people in need. WCK’s resilience work advances human and environmental health, offers access to professional culinary training, creates jobs and improves food security for the people we serve.
Recommended by Florence Le Goff, Director Channel Marketing at Masergy
Donate: https://donate.wck.org/give/236738/#!/donation/checkout