SOMETIMES THE TINIEST THINGS …
By David Aft
One would think that reflecting on generosity and charity during the “season of giving” would be an easy task, as November and December are rich with examples of people stepping forward, opening their wallets, and supporting the many causes that bring holiday cheer into the lives of the less fortunate. But simply sharing a few examples of how to help doesn’t really seem to communicate the whole story.
As an idea, giving is pretty straight forward. Consider the following definition: giving — to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation. Again, a convenient, but somewhat inadequate description, especially when you bring charitable need into the equation.
In my world, the act of giving is often the end result of a “process.” We identify needs, brainstorm solutions, discuss the topic at length, perform lots of research, and evaluate specific asks. This approach is well suited to complex projects with multiple constituencies and big budgets.
With that said, there is a much more human side of the equation — one that requires only one individual seeing a need and opening their hearts to help. These quiet, nearly anonymous, acts of charity resonate with me, especially this time a year.
A few days ago my mind drifted to Christmases past, and I began to think about those December gift exchanges I participated in as a child at school. These would happen every year, as we would draw names from a shoebox and busily prepare for the hotly anticipated gift exchange, usually on the day before we adjourned for Christmas break. I always remember these a joyful occasions, full of cookies, cake, fruit punch and Christmas carols. I remember that some years I was happier with my gift than others, but, all in all, my memories were pleasant ones.
As I grew older and became more aware of the world around me, eventually becoming a parent myself, I realized I had taken many aspects of this simple gift exchange for granted. What about those kids whose families could barely afford food? What about those children whose parents couldn’t afford presents for their own children, let alone a fellow classmate? I was lucky not to have to deal with such weighty issues as a young student, but others around me were not so fortunate.
I had the chance a few years ago to speak to my third grade teacher Mrs. Kissling about my time in her class and I asked her about Christmas — specifically about the kids I mentioned above. I remember her demeanor hardening a bit as she reminisced a little. She confirmed that for as many years as she taught, it was a given that teachers would buy tiny gifts for these children so they would have something to exchange. She admitted that it was tough to watch every year, but accepted that sometimes "you had to do, what you had to do."
Mrs. Kissling and her fellow educators were daily philanthropists — quiet, thoughtful and often generous beyond their means.
So this year, as I reflect on the generosity of the season, I urge everyone to remember those tiny acts of philanthropy that make hard situations a little better and remember that giving takes many forms. Teachers have been asked to do so much this year and their efforts continue to be heroic. While a great example, it is, by far, not the only one. The police officer who coaches youth basketball at night and on weekends, the business executive who volunteers at the Humane Society and those wonderful souls who give a few dollars a week to their local United Way campaign – there are so many examples of giving.
We can’t forget that the most powerful acts of generosity don’t have to be large, or particularly complicated – just rooted in the understanding that we all have gifts, and sometimes the tiniest things can make the biggest difference.
David Aft is the president of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia. He has worked in the nonprofit field for over twenty-five years and is a recognized resource and noted speaker on charitable enterprise, civics, fundraising strategy and community development.
SIX HOLIDAY CONFECTIONS THAT REMIND US OF CHARITY AND THE GIVING SPIRIT
By Amber Nagle
Enjoying copious amounts of Christmas confections is just one of the high points of the holiday season. From a decorative tin of your aunt’s famous peppermint bark to a carnival glass bowl showcasing colorful jelly-filled hard candies, Christmas candies seem to be everywhere beckoning you to grab a piece with no guilt.
We thought it would be fun to examine six popular Christmas candies and explore how they relate to philanthropy. Enjoy!
DIVINITY
These white fluffy candies are to die for, but a lot of skill and luck are required to make perfect divinity candy. My mother used to say, “You can’t make divinity when it’s raining, so better wait until tomorrow when it is less humid.” The timing of making divinity is critical to its success, and sometimes, the timing of charitable giving is integral to a gift’s effectiveness.
Many people are filled with the giving spirit in December, and they make a few year-end donations to help others and/or create a few more tax deductions. As a result, many organizations seem to be in good financial shape at year’s end. However, when spring rolls around, they are starving for working capital. Like waiting an extra day to try your hand at making divinity, sometimes it’s best to time your charitable donations to when an organization needs it most.
OLD FASHIONED HARD CANDY
Remember the glass bowl of hard candies Grandma showcased on her dining room table? The purple candies meant raspberry, reds were strawberry, and the little brown peanut shaped candies tasted like peanut butter. Mmm. There were so many flavors to choose from that it was often difficult to make a decision.
Choosing a charity (or charities) can be a tough decision, too. There are so many worthy causes and projects that need financial fuel to be successful. How does one choose the best? The good news is that, like hard candies, you won’t be disappointed with the charities you choose, so select a few. Giving will fill your soul with holiday cheer.
FUDGE
For most of us, there’s a fudge recipe that has been passed down from one generation to the next to the next. Some recipes include Georgia pecans while others use walnuts. Some fudgy concoctions are so sweet it makes your face sweat after nibbling one bite. Fudge is part of so many Christmas traditions - touchstones to the holidays of our youth and to loved ones who may not be with us any more.
For many families, charitable giving can also be a treasured family tradition. For those of us who are charitable, we hope to pass down our giving spirit to our children and grandchildren along with our shared beliefs and values. The giving process can provide unique opportunities for families to spend time together talking, collaborating, researching organizations and causes, and giving together. The act of philanthropy can be a bonding experience for family members of all generations.
CHRISTMAS LIFESAVERS STORYBOOKS
For those of us who were blessed with a filled stocking hanging on the mantle on Christmas morning, we fondly remember the Christmas Lifesavers Storybooks pushed down to the toe of the stocking. From Wint-O-Green to chalky Pep-O-Mint to Butter Rum to Tropical Fruit flavored rolls, Lifesavers were a welcome gift from Santa.
Our generous donations are often lifesavers to the thousands of nonprofit organizations that serve our communities each and every day. Your gift can save a life. Be a lifesaver this year.
PEANUT BRITTLE
Peanut brittle is a timeless holiday classic. For those of you who have never made it, you heat sugar, corn syrup, salt, and water until it makes a gooey concoction the consistency of lava, then you stir in raw peanuts. Using a candy thermometer, you heat the mixture up and stir constantly until the temperature reaches about 300 degrees F. Then you remove from heat, mix in a little baking soda, and pour the sludge onto a big piece of wax paper.
That’s when the magic happens. In a matter of minutes, the magma transforms into something resembling stained glass, and that’s the novelty of peanut brittle - and charitable giving. We write a check and walk away, and that’s when the magic happens. Nonprofits and institutions of faith step in, provide services, and quite miraculously, lives are changed. Your dollars can make a marvelous difference.
CANDY CANES
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the whimsical red and white candy canes hanging on the limbs of evergreens or tied into bows on gifts under the tree. They are simple, nostalgic, and delicious. Their peppermint taste cools our palates and lingers with us even after the candy has dissolved. Candy canes bring a smile to our faces.
And as 2020 comes to a close, may you savor the joy of giving this year. May your many acts of kindness bring a smile to your face, and may the happiness you feel in helping others linger with you for many weeks to come.
Amber Nagle is the Marketing and Technology Director of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia. She writes for several magazines across the South.
WELCOME TO THE SEASON OF GIVING
by David Aft
Welcome to the Season of Giving
The holiday season is upon us, and while many of us are frantically searching for gifts to give our loved ones (or writing up wish lists of our own), it’s important to remember those among us who are less fortunate. Many individuals living in Northwest Georgia rely on churches and charitable organizations to survive from time to time. Some may need food assistance during the holidays, others may need housing, and others may need help with a utility bill to keep warm during the frigid winter months.
In one of my previous blogs, I made some general recommendations pertaining to how to give—the best way to optimize your charitable contributions and get the most bang for your bucks. Here are a few notes from that blog to consider as we journey forward into the Season of Giving.
– Give larger donations to fewer organizations. It’s great to give $100 to ten organizations, but it may be smarter from a “charitable value” perspective to give $500 to two worthy organizations or one significant $1,000 contribution. Larger, well-thought-out donations will probably do more good than several smaller gifts. This makes for harder decisions on your part, but it is a reality.
– Consider making periodic payments (monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly). Based on my experience managing and assisting nonprofit organizations, I know that a steady flow of donations during the year helps the monthly cash flow and adds to the long-term sustainability and success of organizations. And face it—it’s easier on your pocketbook to make twelve monthly $100 donations to a charity than it is to write one big $1,200 check at the end of the year. In today’s world of easy online banking, it only takes a minute to setup a regular payment schedule directed to your favorite charitable groups. Set up your automatic payments in January, and be done with it.
“And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!
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– Use your employer’s payroll deduction program. Payroll deduction is another easy way to give. Money is automatically deducted from your check by your employer, pooled together, and sent to the organization(s) you’ve selected. Again, recurring payroll deductions allow you to spread out your charitable gifts over the course of a year, which makes your donation more manageable and helps keep a steady stream of cash going to the nonprofit of your choice. And did you know that hundreds of companies across the country match their employees’ contributions to qualified charities? Some match donations dollar for dollar, so a $500 gift becomes a $1,000 gift. Ask your human resources representative if your company offers charitable gift matching, and if so, find out what rules apply.
I consider my willingness and ability to “give back” an honor, a privilege, and a blessing, but it doesn’t stop with the generosity in my heart. Just like others, I seek value in my charitable giving decisions. As 2018 draws to a close, I encourage all prospective donors to consider making a few charitable donations before the end of the year and lifting up an individual or family in need.
David Aft is the president of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia. He has worked in the nonprofit field for over twenty-five years and is a recognized resource and noted speaker on charitable enterprise, civics, fundraising strategy and community development.