Giving Tuesday is the world’s largest generosity movement; created in 2012, it encourages people to do good by inspiring them to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry and Councillor Vicki Lowe met with five local organizations that support families and youth in the community: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County, Mississippi Mills Youth Centre, Lanark 4-H, Food for Thought Lanark and 2nd Almonte Scouting.
“Giving Tuesday was the perfect opportunity to bring these groups together to learn about who they are and what they do and the impact they have on the people they help,” said Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry. “As volunteer-driven not-for-profits, these organizations rely heavily on the generosity of others to thrive and deliver these important programs.”
While Giving Tuesday was celebrated on November 29th in 2022, it’s encouraged to give back throughout the year, whether through donations, volunteering or in other ways that are personally meaningful.
“Learning more about our local volunteer groups and charities and thanking them for the work they do is a simple way to show support,” said Mayor Lowry.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County has been providing mentorship for 50 years. Pre-COVID they were working with 800 kids. Their ask is for money and mentors to keep offering support to youth who need it more than ever.
The Mississippi Mills Youth Centre provides a safe space for youth to build skills and learn how to contribute to our community. The centre is open six days a week for drop-in and structured programming. Their ask is for the community to shop at their online store to help support the programs. They’re also looking for volunteers in the areas of life skills, art and music.
At Lanark 4-H, kids learn by doing and become contributing, confident citizens. It is an affordable program open to all kids, ages 6-21. The program turns youth into leaders but needs volunteers to teach clubs – particularly life skills and hands on projects like woodworking.
Food For Thought Lanark is a judgement-free meal and snack program. In Mississippi Mills, 5,692 snacks and meals were provided to 300 participants in the month of September alone! To keep the program strong with demand anticipated to increase, they are looking for volunteers to help prepare snacks or meal one day/week and for donations of money or healthy foods.
2nd Almonte Scouting teaches boys and girls resiliency and survival skills and builds confidence. Scouts are looking for new volunteers to help with executive roles (finance, fundraising) as well as Scouters who teach kids how to be leaders themselves.
For more information on Giving Tuesday, visit: https://www.givingtuesday.ca/.
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