Today is giving Tuesday.
It’s likely your inbox has been flooded with requests from nonprofits begging for donations.
Having worked at several nonprofits, I know that most operate on a shoestring budget.
Events over the past eleven months have frayed many of those shoestrings.
Without your help, some of these vital organizations will shut their doors for good.
Others might have to limit their services when the need is at an all-time high.
In my last post, I talked about how living from a place of abundance can boost your creativity.
Over the next five weeks, I plan to show you how that works through my #Giveaway4Good Challenge.
During each weekly #Giveaway4Good challenge, I’ll ask you to give a little of what you have to get some of what I’m offering.
Answer my call, and you’ll be entered in my weekly drawing where I’ll be giving away valuable writing-related goodies you won’t want to miss.
Everyone who enters a weekly drawing will also be entered in my a grand-prize drawing for a one-hour coaching session with a 10-page manuscript evaluation from yours truly, PLUS a spot in Jane Friedman’s self-study class How to Write Your Book Proposal. That’s a $399 value, all for doing a little good.
Here’s this week’s challenge.
Make a donation to any charity that offers support to families in need, and you’ll receive one ticket for this week’s drawing.
Make donations to two different organizations and you’ll receive two tickets for this week’s drawing.
Make three donations and receive three tickets.
All tickets will be eligible for the grand prize drawing.
The minimum donation is $10.00; however, I will reward those of you who donate $100 or more with an extra ticket.
This week’s prize: One $50 gift card to New Dominion Bookshop.
New Dominion is the oldest independent bookstore in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are a huge supporter of our writing community AND they can deliver anywhere in the United State
Here’s an added bonus: Make a donation to one of the charities listed below and I’ll give you three tickets for this week’s drawing. (And yes, you can get three additional tickets for each donation you make).
- Feeding America or Your Local Food Bank
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- United Way
- The Women’s Initiative
Why these charities?
Feeding America: There were a few years during my childhood when free school lunches, government cheese and butter, and surprise trips to Grandma’s house for leftovers were the only thing standing between me and hunger. According to Feeding America, 50 Million people could experience food insecurity by the end of 2020. That’s one in six adults, and one in four children. Let’s make sure no one goes hungry during this holiday season.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: When my brother died by suicide in 1997, I attended a Survivor of Suicide (SOS) support group run by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP provides resources to survivors and suicide prevention programs across the country. Pandemic-related isolation and stress have caused suicide rates to skyrocket. We need to make sure AFSP can reach everyone who needs their help.
United Way: When I was in my early 20s, a United Way program gave me access to affordable mental health care at a time when I needed it most. The United way supports individuals with a variety of needs including gaining access to medical and mental healthcare, assistance with taxes, programs to combat human trafficking, and support for seniors and their caregivers. We need to ensure these programs are available now and in the future.
The Women’s Initiative: TWI is a Charlottesville nonprofit that delivers affordable mental health services to women who would not otherwise have access to them. I completed many of my clinical hours at TWI. The amazing clinicians in this organization continue to serve our community during the pandemic. They offer a wide arrange of programs that support women of color.
What do you need to do to receive your ticket?
Sign up for my newsletter, then send me an email letting me know what organization you donated to and the amount of your donation (minimum donation to qualify for the drawing is $10). That’s it.
Are you struggling financially?
This giveaway is for everyone, regardless of your circumstances.
Send me an email with pictures capturing three random acts of kindness you’ve completed and I’ll enter you in this week’s drawing as well as the grand prize drawing.
Also (and this goes for everyone), recommend my newsletter to your followers and you can also get an extra ticket for my drawings. Just email me a screenshot of your post.
I’ll draw the first winner on Monday, December 7, 2020, at 7:00 PM EST.
Consider this your deadline for this week’s challenge.
Because I want us to do the greatest amount of good for our community, I’ll be sending out reminders over the next few days.
If you’re a person who likes to think ahead, here’s a brief overview of the challenges to come.
Week 2: Supporting Independent Bookstores
Week 3: Supporting Nonprofit Writing Centers
Week 4: Honoring Your Mentors
Each weekly challenge will include more giveaways you won’t want to miss.