Don’t you think it gets a little overwhelming right after Thanksgiving? I mean, all of a sudden the holiday season is upon us (okay…I’ll admit…my tree was up on Black Friday). We have #BlackFriday, then #SmallBusinessSaturday, then #CyberMonday….
But, in the midst of all the shopping frenzy, we thankfully stop for a moment to give back to our favorite charities on #GivingTuesday. There are so many wonderful organizations out there and amazing work being done. Today, I wanted to share just a few of my favorites. To learn more about these organizations or to give, just click the title links.
Of Moving Colors
“In my own philanthropy and business endeavors, I have seen the critical role that the arts play in stimulating creativity and in developing vital communities…the arts have a crucial impact on our economy and are an important catalyst for learning, discovery and achievement in our country.” ~Paul Allen, Co-Founder of Microsoft
Of Moving Colors (OMC) is an organization close to my heart. I’ve always loved dance and the performing arts. This company’s performances have a way of moving you and inspiring you to dream bigger. They impact the local Baton Rouge community through their Closer To the Arts programming as well as through their Kick It Out community performance. Kick it Out gives children throughout the city the chance to perform on stage with professional dancers, even if they don’t have any prior dance experience. With the budgets for arts being cut at many schools, this program is an opportunity to open the door of dance to children in throughout our city. Funding for all these endeavors is made possible through donations.
The Junior League of Baton Rouge Endowment Fund
“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”
~ Diane Mariechild
Women get things done. The Junior League of Baton Rouge (JLBR) has made a personal impact on me. When I first moved to Baton Rouge, I didn’t know anyone. And as a stay at home mom of two small boys, it began to feel trapped in my home all day. By joining the Junior League, I was able to branch out and make friends, utilize my professional skill set, and unlock my passion for the amazing work the JLBR does in the community. A donation to the JLBR endowment fund ensures the stability and continuation of the League for generations to come.
Knock Knock Children’s Museum
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Knock Knock Children’s Museum is a blessing to the Baton Rouge community. The 26,000-square-foot facility is filled with hands-on, fun-filled interactive exhibits, known as the “Learning Zones”. Knock Knock’s focus is on the “whole child” and they stive to increase early literacy skills and inspire children by raising interest in STEAM areas (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Donations to the museum help to continue to move their mission forward.
St. Jude
Oh, I believe there are Angels Among Us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love.
I almost cry when I read the beautiful lyrics from this song, Angels Among Us. And here on Earth, could there be a place that is more representative of this? The doctors, nurses and staff at St. Jude are truly angels among us. I’ve known several children locally who have been treated there and I’ve only heard amazing things. Every donation ensures that the families of the patients at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, because St. Jude believes that “all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”
The Humane Society
“Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other”. ~Louis J. Camuti
This is just a snippet of the many possibilities for philanthropic giving today. I would love to know who you find inspiring and where you are giving to today! Connect with me here or over on my Facebook page (@MagnoliaRouxBR)
As you can see, I love quotes… so I’ll leave you with just one more….
“If we don’t transform the world, who will? If not now, when?” ~Anonymous
Go forth and do good.
XOXO
magnoliaroux.com 