Thanksgiving is taking time to remember what the season is all about — showing thanks and love for others. And the best way to just that is to volunteer or donate what and where you can. Whether it’s serving a meal at a local soup kitchen, donating to help refugees trying to settle overseas, or volunteering to help Hurricane victims, an act of kindness reveals the true meaning of this year’s holiday season.

Thanksgiving is a great time of the year to remember those who are not as fortunate as us. This year, give your Thanksgiving donations to those in need and seek immense blessings.

INTRODUCTION

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. That fest is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, individual colonies and states have been celebrating Thanksgiving Occasion. It wasn’t until 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

WHAT IS THANKSGIVING?

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in Canada, the United States, some of the Caribbean islands, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, and around the same part of the year in other places. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.

THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS

In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. Turkey, a Thanksgiving staple so ubiquitous it has become all but synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been on offer when the Pilgrims hosted the inaugural feast in 1621. Today, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird. They eat it roasted, baked or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity. Communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate.

Parades have also become an integral part of the holiday in cities and towns across the United States. Presented by Macy’s department store since 1924, New York City’s Thanksgiving Day parade is the largest and most famous, attracting some 2 to 3 million spectators along its 2.5-mile route and drawing an enormous television audience. It typically features marching bands, performers, elaborate floats conveying various celebrities and giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters.

Beginning in the mid-20th century and perhaps even earlier, the president of the United States has “pardoned” one or two Thanksgiving turkeys each year, sparing the birds from slaughter and sending them to a farm for retirement. A number of U.S. governors also perform the annual turkey pardoning ritual.

THANKSGIVING DONATIONS

It’s that time of year when we give thanks by donating our time, money and goods to charities. It’s also the time of year when most nonprofit organizations receive the majority of financial contributions and requests from volunteers. If you want to do something on Thanksgiving, consider donating to such charity organizations who are helping people in need.

One such organization is Transparent Hands Foundation in USA. Transparent Hands Foundation funds the medical and surgical treatment of deserving patients in underdeveloped and developing countries through a crowdfunding platform and with the support of foundations and commercial organizations.

In Pakistan, more than 50 million of total population is living below the poverty line. These people are not fortunate to have basic necessities of life including food and water. If they get sick, they have no means to get medical treatment. On top of that, when they require surgical treatment, they have to rely on local hospitals. In these hospitals, they are put on a long waiting list for free treatment.

DONATE NOW AND SAVE LIVES

In Pakistan, only 3% of the total budget is allocated for healthcare which is not enough according to the increasing number of diseases. Estimated number of surgery backlog in Pakistan is in millions every year which is alarming. Transparent Hands Foundation is striving to facilitate those who have no means to undergo medical procedure or surgical treatment.

In a season where a lot of us are surrounded by so much, it’s important to remember those who aren’t as fortunate. On this Thanksgiving, spare some time for the needy people and support them so that they can lead happy and healthy lives. Donate to Transparent Hands if you want to fund the healthcare of needy patients on this Thanksgiving occasion or even after the holidays are over.

If you want to do something more than just drinking on Thanksgiving, consider donating time, food, or money to an organization that helps people who struggle to find a meal on Thanksgiving—and every other day, too.

Chances are, your neighborhood has a food bank or meal service that would be happy to take your money, nonperishable food, or time. Look them up, give them a call, and find out what they still need. Perhaps the easiest way to donate food for a family’s Thanksgiving feast is to locate your local food bank and contribute nonperishable, or whatever they’re specifically in need of. Start a school or office drive or have friends and family bring a nonperishable food item to your next gathering in order to collect food to donate.

There are many opportunities for YOU to serve your community neighbors on Thanksgiving morning. Make a difference this Thanksgiving holiday — donate your time cooking, serving, entertaining, hosting, greeting, setting up, cleaning up, and more. You can also donate food or make a cash donation to make this special community event possible.

WHY THANKSGIVING IS A GREAT TIME FOR FUNDRAISING

Thanksgiving is perhaps the greatest time of year for feasting, family, and fun. In this holiday season the weather is turning, offering vibrant colors and snappy temperatures, an excuse to enjoy mugs of hot cocoa. What a beautiful excuse to curl up and enjoy the moment with your favorite book and in your favorite comfy chair.

But just as you relax in a warm, apple cinnamon spiced daydream, the whirlwind of Thanksgiving planning touches down. Madly shopping for ingredients, setting the table, baking the goodies, or just driving in from out of town, turn this autumn wonderland into a busy yet joyous occasion.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful season for fundraising efforts. In the company of our loving family, celebrating all the good things in our lives, we often feel like we could give just a little bit more to those who don’t have the ability to enjoy such a hearty feast.

Furthermore, as people have family around, fondly relaxing as they digest a great dinner, you’ve got a great time to talk about your fundraising ideas, the people you help, and how much of a difference you can make in their lives. You also have a great time to raise awareness in the community. 

As people come together and remember the love and joy between them, you can help share your love for your cause and the joy it brings you to actively make a difference.

THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISING SUCCESS TIPS

Many community organizations send out a Thanksgiving donation letter or Thanksgiving appeal. The idea is to appeal to supporters to assist the organization during the holiday season, when they may be feeling grateful and have a spirit of giving on their minds. 

Just like with any other fundraising letter, the wording on your Thanksgiving appeal affects how effective it will be. For fundraising letter-writing campaign, make sure the document is well-written and free from mistakes before you send it out. Additional tips include:

Seasonal appeal

Tailor your message to the spirit of the Thanksgiving donation and its importance. You can come up with an emotional appeal that may be persuasive to someone who is reflecting overall he has to be thankful for.

Impact

Let donors know what their money will be used for, giving specific information that can help them see how their donation can have a positive impact. For example, reveal the fundraising goal, give statistics about how many people your organization helps and how much, on average, it costs to provide assistance to each one. Tell them how their Thanksgiving donations can create a huge impact.

Specific request

Tell potential donors exactly what you’re asking for. Is it money? An item? Or a gift? Then explain how this donation, no matter what form it is in, will make someone’s life better. Making a compelling Thanksgiving donation appeal is essential for a successful campaign.

Call to action

Tell the individual reading the Thanksgiving donation letter exactly what you would like him to do. For example, you can specifically ask for a financial gift and clearly explain how people can donate. If you’re looking for something other than money, use a similar strategy.

Simplify giving

Make it as easy as possible for donors to contribute to your cause. If you are soliciting money, you should accept all forms of payment. You can put a flexible schedule and procedure time donations or other items.

TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOURSELF TOO!

Thanksgiving is not only about giving and raising funds. It’s about love, celebration, and appreciation for all the gifts our loved ones offer us. I hope you will take a few moments to yourself to get back in your comfy spot under your blanket. As you sip that cocoa, take a few to appreciate your own efforts throughout the year.

Inevitably your work has given so many reasons for others to thank you as well. So feel free to recognize your own good deeds. Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!