(This story is presented by the following not-for-profit organizations)

Giving a gift can feel much better than receiving a gift—this year, spread holiday cheer on Giving Tuesday.

The international Giving Tuesday movement occurs annually on the first Tuesday of December and sparks change in communities by partnering with compassionate individuals.

Before embarking on endless hours of holiday shopping at the mall over the holiday season, Giving Tuesday encourages everyone to donate any time or resources possible to their favourite charities.

This day also shines a light on the significance of small acts of kindness in communities. Whether you are volunteering at the local food bank, sending a donation to an animal shelter, or dropping off an unwrapped toy at a nearby toy drive, it all makes a difference.

Take part in Giving Tuesday by reaching out to local businesses, nonprofit organizations, or people within your area that could use a helping hand.

For those open to donating to nonprofits, the following list is sure to come in handy.

Canuck Place

Every light brings joy: Roz’s Story

At Canuck Place, we believe that every light brings joy, no matter how long it shines. This holiday season, we shine a light on the journey for Canuck Place children, like baby Rosalind Doyle from Coquitlam.

Rosalind, or Roz as the Doyles affectionately call her, was born on October 27, 2018, with Trisomy 18, a genetic condition also known as Edwards Syndrome. Trisomy 18 affects each child differently, and for Roz, the most serious issues were in her brain and heart.

Roz lived 29 days. She spent almost her entire life at Canuck Place with her parents, Audrey and Mike, and her brothers, Seth and Chase. It will forever be a special home for the Doyles because for them, Canuck Place is Roz’s house. The hospice brought light to their darkest days, where they made loving and happy memories despite the circumstances.

It was important to the Doyles that Roz get to experience some of their holiday traditions. With the uncertainty of how long she would live, Canuck Place staff worked together to make sure Christmas came early that year. “The holidays are about spending time with your family,” says Audrey. “Canuck Place gave us the gift of quality time together, and the peace of mind in knowing that help was only a few steps away at all times.”

This Christmas will mark just over one year since Roz has passed. Canuck Place continues to care for the Doyle family with bereavement counselling and family support groups.

Light a Life this holiday season for Canuck Place children, like baby Roz. Double your impact—donate by December 31, 2019, and your gift will be matched by John and Claire Nicola, and friends.

To donate to Canuck Place, click here.

The Nature Trust of British Columbia

Conserving Land, Protecting Species.

The Nature Trust of British Columbia is one of the leading nonprofit land conservation organizations in the province. The organization’s goals are to conserve and care for B.C.’s critical natural habitats for vulnerable wildlife and plants.

Since 1971, the Nature Trust has protected more than 175,000 acres (71,000 hectares) with the help of caring and concerned individuals.

The properties protected by the Nature Trust include land along the Englishman River on Vancouver Island, Mount Maxwell on Salt Spring Island, the Antelope Brush Conservation Area in the Okanagan, the Adams River in the Interior, and Wycliffe Wildlife Corridor in the Kootenays.

Give a gift to nature this holiday season. Donations to The Nature Trust of B.C. will help save vital places for wildlife and plants.

For more information on the organization, visit www.naturetrust.bc.ca/. To donate to the Nature Trust, click here.

Decoda Literacy Solutions

Decoda Literacy Solutions provides resources, training, funds, and support for 1,300 community-based literacy programs and initiatives in more than 400 communities across British Columbia.  

We work to increase the literacy and learning skills of children, youth, adults, and seniors to improve their quality of life at home or at work in the community.  Our vision is a British Columbia where everyone has the literacy skills they need.

The Decoda Literacy Library is a free service with more than 5,000 resources on adult, youth, and family literacy as well as early learning, nonprofit management, and financial literacy.  

Fostering Literacy is a program that serves children, particularly those in foster care, who struggle with reading. Trained volunteers and high school students provide one-on-one tutoring to more than 200 children in 14 communities.   

Immigrant Parents as Literacy Supporters (IPALS) welcomes immigrant and refugee families by providing a play-based, bilingual family literacy program that helps prepare children for school in Canada.  

Additionally, Decoda is proud to celebrate Family Literacy Week in January and Literacy Month in September.

Decoda Literacy Solutions relies on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals. 

For more information, visit www.decoda.ca/.  To help make literacy a priority in B.C. by donating, click here.

The Kettle Society

The team at the Kettle Society works with people living with mental illness, poverty, homelessness, and addictions. Each year, the organization serves more than 5,000 individuals in need. Whether it is through its 400 units of supportive housing or Mental Health Drop-In Centre that provides meals every day of the year—the Kettle Society impacts the lives of many.

Facilities are open and services are available 365 days a year, because mental illness and homelessness don’t take days off.

Despite growing numbers, the Kettle Society will never turn anyone away.

If something as simple as a hot meal can change a life, imagine what having a place to go and celebrate the holidays can do. At the Kettle, vulnerable individuals can find much more than just a turkey dinner and a small gift, they can find hope.

Hope is vital to recovery.

The Kettle’s philosophy of service is to meet people wherever they are on their journey, offering emotional support, advocating for them, and helping them find the assistance they need to overcome the stigmas surrounding their lives.

One of the best ways to help is to become a “Friend of the Kettle” by setting up a monthly donation. As little as $20 a month can make a big difference. The small donation can supply emergency food supplements for 30 malnourished people.

Just $40 a month will supply a full week of hot, nutritious lunches for everyone who comes through the Kettle Society’s doors.

All donations received go towards giving vulnerable people in our community the space to heal and to build a brighter future.

Help the Kettle Society make sure that everyone has a home for the holidays this year by donating here. For more information, visit www.thekettle.ca/.

Variety BC

Since 1966, Variety—the Children’s Charity has been making a difference in the lives of children with special needs across the province. With the average grant being $2,500, Variety is looking to attract more funding towards its core areas: mobility equipment, medical services and supplies, specialized therapies, education programs, bursaries, and mental wellness counselling.

 “The support that Variety provides to families in every corner of the province is the foundation of our organization,” says Cally Wesson, CEO of Variety BC. “Support for these families is essential and it’s because of our generous donors and corporate partners that we’re able to provide kids with the support they need to thrive.”

You can truly make an impact on the life of a child during Variety’s holiday fundraising campaign, Variety Tree of Hearts. Together we can be there when B.C. kids with special needs and their families need us most.

Donations can be made online at www.variety.bc.ca / or to make an automatic $20 donation, text KIDS to 45678.