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Giving Back—how to feel good and do something good when retail therapy isn’t cutting it

As I wrote in Monday’s post due to world affairs and the current political situation I have been fairly stressed out, and I am not alone in my feelings of unease and fear which can also bring on feelings of futility and depression. And sometimes retail therapy just doesn’t cut it, although the upside is, it keeps people employed, helps the economy and gives one a mommentary feeling of comfort, it is not enough.

Often, it is this time of year that people think of giving back. And I, much like many others, did exactly that. I donated three new toys to a toy drive they were having in the building in which I work. There was a sale on at Duane Reed where you could mix and match three toys for $15.00. I could certainly afford $15.00 so I picked out one for a girl, one for a boy and one toy that could be used by either a girl or a boy. I dropped $5.00 in to The Salvation Army’s red kettle and I donated $50.00 to Mercy Corps to help the people effected by the war in Aleppo.

And not only does this help the children who no longer have to sit on the floor when in school, it also creates jobs for the workers who make the desks

I also wanted to donate to UNICEF’s K.I.N.D project which Lawrence O’ Donnell has been promoting on his show but felt that the situation in Aleppo was more immediate. But I do plan on donating to the K.I.N.D project which raises money to build desks for children in Malawi. And not only does this help the children who no longer have to sit on the floor when in school, it also creates jobs for the workers who make the desks. And you also have an additional choice—if you prefer, you can donate money that goes toward helping girls in Malawi attend school.

I will be donating to this wonderful organization in the spring once I get all my credit card bills paid off.

And for those of you that prefer to donate a little closer to home, there are plenty of causes to donate to from Veteran’s to the environment to animals. So please check out the links below and have a great new year.

Help Veterans with The Wounded Warrior Project

Help the environment and animals with The Good Food Institute 

Help animals with Mercy For Animals

Donate animals to poor people in third world countries which helps them to care for themselves with Heifer.org

And finally there is Doctor’s Without Boaders

Top photo by Cengiz Yar for Mercy Corps

15 comments

  1. I volunteer my time at the aspca help clean kernel and play with the dogs also donate food and beds I also donate Salvation Army and an Angel its for children that are less fortunate. I agree not to forget the ones in need not just once a year my every day.. Great post

  2. Very kind deed, I like reading it. I did something like this recently too and the joy is definitely different and filling. Great post, wishing you a happy new year ahead.

    http://www.busyandfab.com

  3. Oh man, I live in a constant state of retail therapy, haha! 😉 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

  4. such a great post! Always good to give back, especially this time of year
    xx
    http://thedemeler.com

  5. This is a great post. Things may be up in the air right now, but there’s always room for helping others.
    Happy holidays 🙂
    xo Annie
    New England Romance

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  7. There is no better therapy than doing something good for somebody else 🙂
    LA VEINE

  8. What a lovely post and a great reminder that we can do so much more! Even if a new skirt can feel good for the moment, doing charity will be positive for so many more. And with the world being as it is atm and during the holidays, I definitely think it’s extra important to give what one can. So thank you for this post! Xx

    http://www.thefashionfolks.com

  9. Allie, this is such a touching post and an important as well! My entire family and I are big on volunteering! We typically visit shelters before Christmas to help out and do good! To me, Christmas is all about giving, as you have said. It brings so much more joy as well! I want my son to know this as well. He usually gets so many presents for Christmas but I always tell him that there are less fortunate children in the world so, I want him to share. Which means the toys he no longer plays with are being donated as well. Anyhow, great post and I love your beautiful heart!

    Happy New Year, babe!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com

  10. I try to teach my daughter to give back as well by having her donate to the Salvation Army bell ringers and go through her toys to donate to Goodwill. It’s a great lesson to teach kids!

  11. What a great post! I definitely want to give back and I know I have a lot to give. I think we all complain about what could be better in our lives but we need to also see how lucky we are – not that our problems don’t matter but it could be worse.

  12. Thank you for this amazing post. You did a great job reminding us of what’s out there and what we can do to help. Baci, Valeria – Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY

  13. This is awesome! What a great post! I too get scared for our current state of affairs, and definitely feel sad. Every year as a New Year’s goal I pick an organization that I donate to every month. This year I am picking an education organization. Last year I donated a monthly amount to saving the elephants in India. If everyone just donated even like $5 a month, it could make such a difference. I appreciate you laying out a bunch of organizations for people to donate to! Hope you have a great New Year’s Eve lady. 🙂

    -Emily http://www.coatandcoffee.com

  14. I used to give to Children’s Hospital every year and stopped the last few. You have inspired me to restart the tradition. I rarely watch the news because it is so drepressing to see all the negative things happening out in the world. I am aware of how much people are suffering around the world, my native country of El Salvador as well. I wish I could do more all the time. Thanks for putting this list together and making me feel thankful to live in a country that stands for freedom above all. Thanks for all your vistis to my blog this year Allie. I wish you a very prosperous new year!

    xo,
    Tania
    http://inspiremyfancy.blogspot.com/

  15. Your suggestions are really good and you are such a good girl! I think doing something good is always a really good idea and I know not much things that can make one happier 🙂
    Have a happy start into the new year!
    xx Rena
    http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

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