I am thankful that I am weird and that weird is awesome.

Today I don’t have a specific organization to highlight. I’m taking today to highlight doing good things anonymously or spontaneously. Today I C.A.N. (create a new) Smile and Random Acts of Christmas Kindness (R.A.C.K.).

Day 29: I am thankful for the courage of others.

Extinction Rebellion is a “decentralised, international and politically non-partisan movement using non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to persuade governments to act justly on the Climate and Ecological Emergency.” You can find out more at their website: https://rebellion.global/about-us/

Day 28: I am thankful that we can have a level of confidence when we support an organization.

Charity Navigator’s website was used a ton while preparing my November Thankfulness posts. I wanted to feel confident about the organizations I was recommending to you. This organization is “the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities.” They focus on the financial status of the organization and their accountability and transparency. You can find out more at their website: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=628

Day 27: I am thankful that love is always the answer.

Preemptive Love Coalition is an organization that works to “unmake violence and create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.” You can find out more at their website: https://preemptivelove.org/core-values/

I am thankful for diversity. Diversity leads to different experiences and perspectives which leads to different solutions.

First Nations Development Institute is an organization that addresses funding inequality to Native causes. While Native Americans account for approximately 2% of the total population, when it comes to foundation funds they receive as little as 3/10 of 1%. You can find out more at their website: https://www.firstnations.org/native-giving/about/

Day 23: I am thankful we have the earth.

ClientEarth is an organization that helps protect the earth by enforcing the current laws and helping create future laws. They use the law to bring about systemic change. You can find out more from their website: https://www.clientearth.org/what-we-do/

Day 22: I am thankful researchers still research diseases even when they affect a “small” number of people.

National Organization for Rare Diseases is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them. One of the ways that they ask for support is through sharing of information. You can share information on social media, through literature, with your local schools, and the local newspaper. You can find out more at their website: https://rarediseases.org/

Day 21: I am thankful that my family and I are safe.

National Immigration Forum is an organization that “advocates for the value of immigrants and immigration to our nation.” You can find out more at their website: https://immigrationforum.org/landing_page/about/

Day 20: I am thankful I have access to clean water.

Waterkeeper Alliance is an organization that “strengthens and grows a global network of grassroots leaders protecting everyone’s right to clean water.” You can find out more at their website: https://waterkeeper.org/what-we-do/

Day 19: I am thankful for all of the loving people who help make children’s lives better.

Together We Rise is an organization that works to improve the lives of children in foster care. Together We Rise has many projects that they need help with including Sweet cases, build a bike, birthday boxes and superhero boxes. You can find out more at their website: https://www.togetherwerise.org/about-us/

Day 18 - I am thankful I have not been affected by disaster (knock on wood).

Direct Relief is an organization that strives to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. They do this without regard to politics, religion, or a person’s ability to pay. They have helped in the aftermath of earthquakes, hurricanes and even with COVID-19. You can find out more at their website: https://www.directrelief.org/about/

Day 17: I am thankful I have a support system.

Mental Health America is an organization that provides community-based assistance to those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. You can find out more at their website: https://www.mhanational.org/about

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

Day 16: I am thankful for biodiversity.

iNaturalist is a network of people sharing information to help each other learn about nature. Their primary goal is to connect people with nature. They make this abundantly clear that they prioritize people’s link with nature. Their secondary goal is to “generate scientifically valuable biodiversity data from these personal encounters”. You can find out more from their website: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/about

Day 15: I am thankful that I have a safe place to sleep at night.

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is an organization that advocates for the prevention and end of homelessness. They believe that housing is a basic human right, not a privilege. You can find out more at their website: https://www.chicagohomeless.org/about/

Day 14 - I am thankful I have many many books for my children and myself to read.

Ferst Readers is an organization that provides books and literary resources to families. They provide one book a month from birth to 5 years of age. From Ferst Readers: “The key is to start at birth. Immersing a child in a rich literacy environment can be a stronger predictor of literacy and academic achievement than family income. The more words a child hears, the larger the child’s vocabulary, and the larger the child’s vocabulary, the more likely the child will be a proficient reader.” You can find out more at their website: https://ferstreaders.org/about-us/program-overview

Day 13 - I am thankful that I can still be supportive even if I don’t understand your situation.

Cancer treatment centers are often very excited to receive donations. You can make care packages for individual people, gift baskets for people to select from or care packages for the employees as well. Some things that you might include in your donation are: lip balm, lotion, crossword puzzles and word searches, small notebooks and fun writing utensils, hard candies, encouraging letters and pictures, and homemade or store bought treats.

Day 10 - I am thankful for heroes.

Operation Gratitude is an organization that focuses on creating bonds between Americans and Military and First Responders. They are looking for donations of leftover Halloween candy, beanie babies, letters, handmade items and paracord bracelets. You can find out more at their website: https://www.operationgratitude.com/

Day 9 - I am thankful for all the people affected by cancer in my life.

METAvivor is an organization specifically dedicated to the fight women and men living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer have. When METAvivor was first founded no other organization was dedicated to funding research for the disease of stage 4 cancer research. METAvivor remains the sole US organization dedicated to awarding annual stage 4 breast cancer research. You can find out more at their website: https://www.metavivor.org/about-us/

Day 11: I am thankful for our veterans

National Veterans Foundation in an organization that assists veterans and their families through crisis management, information and referrals. You can find out more at their website: https://nvf.org/about-national-veterans-foundation/

Day 8 - I am happy my animals rescued me.

Local animal shelters are always looking for donations. They often request items such as cleaning products, newspapers, litter and toys for animals to play with. You can find many DIY dog and cat toys using old materials, sew or no sew, crocheting or knitting depending on your preference. Here are two DIY toy videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4L8s1PI7pg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq3yHsrdUss

Day 7: I am thankful my children know love, hope, and joy.

One Simple Wish is an organization that provides an wish granting platform for children in the foster care system. They allow you to grant a specific child’s wish along with standard donations. You can find out more at their website:https://www.onesimplewish.org/site/about

Day 6 - I am thankful for responsible businesses and their practices.

Rainforest Alliance is an organization that works in business, agriculture and forests to encourage responsible business practices. They are building an alliance to protect forests, improve livelihoods, promote human rights and address climate change. You can support rainforest alliance by shopping smart and purchasing brands that have their frog logo. You can find out more at their website: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/about

Day 5: I am thankful that my children has access to the education materials they need.

SCARCE is an organization that educates the community about recycling and the environment. They also share educational resources with teachers and schools. There mission is to help people discover how easy it can be to make a meaningful difference for our kids, environment and our future. SCARCE has many initiatives such as #PickUp5, storm drain medallions and bread tag recycling. You can learn more at their website: https://www.scarce.org/about/

Day 4 - I am thankful that other people have knowledge that I don’t.

The Foundation to Decrease World Suck is 100% volunteer operated and exists solely for the purpose of raising funds to be donated to other non-profit organizations. Learn more at their website: http://www.fightworldsuck.org/

Day 3 - I am thankful that the election is almost over and that I have a right to vote.

Soldiers’ Angels’ missions is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families. Soldiers’ Angels is looking for donations of Christmas stockings, virtual team members to write letters, bake treats and send cars. Throughout the year they also ask for blankets, valentine’s cars, boats and RVs. You can find more information on their website: https://soldiersangels.org/about-us/

Day 2 - I am thankful that STEM and STEAM programs are becoming more popular.

AISES is the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. Their mission is to substantially increase representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations and other indigenous peoples of North America in STEM studies and careers. Learn more at their website: https://www.aises.org/about

Day 1 - I am thankful that my children are not worried about hair loss.

The Magic Yarn Project is an amazing organization that provides special wigs for children going through cancer treatments. They have specifically designed their wigs to be comfortable and fun for children who have lost their hair during treatments. The Magic Yarn Project is often looking for donations of yarn, decorated character envelopes, and bedazzled flowers. You can find more information on their website: https://themagicyarnproject.com/