The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University has compiled a short list of simple ways to celebrate National Philanthropy Day, November 9.
"We pause for one day a year to reflect and to celebrate the power of giving and serving," said Kathy Agard, executive director of the Johnson Center. "We celebrate acts of kindness, unselfishness, and justice. How fortunate we are to live in a nation that values and demonstrates the power of giving and service above self."
Joel Orosz, distinguished professor of Philanthropic Studies said: "At Grand Valley, we should take a moment to reflect that without the generosity of foundations, corporations, alums and friends, this great university would have to close its doors tomorrow. Philanthropy has made Grand Valley the wonderful institution that it is -- and philanthropy will make it even better for all the years to come."
Suggestions from the Johnson Center:
- Drop off food at a food bank. According to a recent survey done
by Community Research Institute, one in 20 people in the Grand
Rapids area skipped or reduced meals last year because of money.
- Donate food or clothing to a local charity. According to
Community Research Institute studies, there are over 19,000 Kent
County households that are in need this winter.
- Leave a parking spot open for someone else
- Buy local for a day
- Give to your preferred nonprofit in honor of someone else
- Help your neighbor rake their leaves
- Organize a campus clean up lunch hour
- Buy coffee for the person behind you
- Buy a red i-Pod to help people in Africa/ participate in Code Red
Campaign
- Buy a subscription to Good Magazine -- 100 percent of funds go to a charity that you choose when you subscribe online
For more ideas, visit www.gvsu.edu/jcp.
For more information, contact the Johnson Center at (616) 331-7585, or GVSU News and Information Services at (616) 331-2221.
