If you’re into any sort of philanthropy, you know that there are a ton of ways to give back in the community. Often times, we forget that charity doesn’t have to be a big, grand gesture. Rather, it can be a series of small changes or ways to give back, which collectively can make a huge change. So we’ve come up with an idea.
Question:
How much money do you spend on eating and drinking out per week? What if one day per week you saved that money, packed your lunch, and used the money you saved towards something good for society?
That’s the entire premise behind the Hoboken Girl Brown Bag Benefit [#BROWNBAGBENEFIT on social media]– a simple, yet {hopefully} powerful way to give back in our community and other communities.
What it is:
Weekly, we’ll be showcasing a charity or organization that we think is a beautiful, helpful resource in the world. Some will be local to Hoboken, and others will be great causes around the country and world.
Your job?
Easy. It’s all in the name — Brown Bag Benefit. 4 easy steps:
1. Pack a lunch to work.
2. Use the $5-$15 you would have spent on lunch out, and donate it to the charity of the week that we post {or one that you support}.
3. Take a photo of said lunch {if you want…or it can be a photo of your donation/charity organization} and hashtag it #BrownBagBenefit on Instagram/FB/Twitter/etc — tag us @hobokengirlblog so we can see all the good that is spreading like wildfire!
4. Spread the word by tagging 3 friends in your post! [Think about it: if 10 of your friends donate $5, that’s $50. If 10 of each of their friends also donate $5, that’s $500].
That’s it. Let’s start a social media movement.
We’ll begin by showcasing 3 non-profits that we adore to kick off the program:
1. Matthew Bears
This beautiful non profit was founded by Georgia mom Lisa Freeman, who transforms the uniforms of fallen service members into stuffed animal bears for their children. She started this after her own son was killed in action in Afghanistan. The goal is to comfort the youngest members of military families — children, nieces and nephews — after the death of a service member. The toys are dubbed Matthew Bears, in honor of Freeman’s late son, Matthew. Such a heartbreaking and amazing cause!
To make a donation, click here . They also accept help sewing bears!
2. Flying Fur Animal Rescue
Flying Fur Animal Rescue was started by one pilot who loved animals [named Paul Steklenski] — and it now operates all along the east coast of the North America, where there is a large need for transport animals from high-kill shelters. Their rescue missions involve transporting animals [at NO cost] from kill shelters in the south to 501(c)3 non-profit shelters for fostering and adoption in the northeast, where the animals can find a good home. Through a network of animal rescue organizations, ground transport, and volunteer pilots, Flying Fur Rescue gives animals a second chance at life, flying them in small planes — which at many times air transport is the safest and most efficient way to transport these animals. Usually they help move animals from shelter to rescue within the same day. Check out their FB page {where we found them last year!} here. The founder updates it often with all of his rescue stories!
To make a donation, click here.
3. True Mentors
You know we couldn’t leave you hanging without a Hoboken non-profit! TRUE Mentors is an organization founded and located in Hoboken that focuses on a one-to-one mentoring program in Hoboken, NJ. They match children ages 7 – 17 with a caring adult mentor that helps them unearth their potential through relationships. TRUE Mentors also offers classes and programs to explore new ideas and grow. It is a mentoring organization unique to Hoboken, and they spend a lot of time trying to match children and mentors who have similar interests. Additionally, TRUE Mentors offers multiple programs beyond mentoring including weekly classes and an internship program.
Click here to volunteer, and click here to donate.
We hope you’ve left your Monday feeling inspired! Now, get down to business and pack your lunch one day this week [or just donate!] and make sure to hashtag your donations/brown bag pics #brownbagbenefit and tag @hobokengirlblog. Every little bit counts!
Have a charity or non-profit you feel passionate about that you would like to be featured for our #BrownBagBenefit? Email your ideas and info to hello@hobokengirl.com!
xo
