Travel Tips

How Travelers Can Give Back on #GivingTuesday

Giving_TuesdayTired of shopping? The antidote to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday (but a few deals are still live through the end of CyberWeek.) is #GivingTuesday. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to give back. Last year, #GivingTuesday worked with 2,500 partners to raise $10 million in online donations, a 53 percent increase in giving for that date.

This year, more than 8,000 organizations have banded together for the second annual #GivingTuesday event. For travelers, here are six organizations that you should consider supporting:

1. UNICEF

This year, UNICEF is turning #GivingTuesday into a rallying cry for the Philippines. The organization estimates that 5.5 million children have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan. #GivingTuesday donations go toward sending medicine, hygiene kits, nutrition supplements, clean water, and other essentials. Click here to donate.

2. National Parks Foundation

If you’ve traveled to one national park in the last year, you owe it to the park system to support the National Park Foundation. All donations are welcome. Donate in a family member’s name and you’ll get an individualized gift certificate.

3. Water.org

Make sure everyone around the world has access to clean water. Donate to Water.org and you can make a tribute gift via eCard.

4. National Audubon Society

For more than 100 years, Audubon has worked to protect birds, their habitats and the natural world we share. Your gift goes farther on #GivingTuesday, when donations today are matched 2 for 1. Your gift can you three times as far to protect our nation’s birds.

5. Operation USA

Peter sits on the board of Operation USA, an international relief agency that works with grassroots partners in hard-hit areas around the world. In addition to first-response relief, the organization also works to battle ongoing problems such as hunger, disease and endemic poverty. This year, the organization celebrates the first annual Giving Tuesday and is encouraging giving back through all its outlets. You can donate online or text OPUSA to 50555.

6. Go Unselfie

Designed to target the teen generation, #GivingTuesday and the United Nations Foundation have decided to launch the #UNselfie movement. To participate, share a picture of giving back or with the name of a charity you support on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest. Remember to add #GivingTuesday and #UNselfie

Don’t just donate, volunteer your time.  Our voluntourism archives are updated weekly and have opportunities around the globe. 

By Lily J. Kosner for PeterGreenberg.com