Thanksgiving, a single day out of 365 when we are reminded to pause and acknowledge our good fortune, reflect on all that we are grateful for, and extend a good deed to those less fortunate, has ironically become tarnished by gluttony, materialism, and our obsession with the best deal on a flat screen T.V. In response to this shifted perception, and in protest against the commercialization of the holiday season, in 2012 an organization called 92nd Street Y along with its collaborators coined a new day, #GivingTuesday –A global movement dedicated to giving back.
#GivingTuesday was born out of an effort to identify successful modern day concepts of charitable giving, and to optimize the spirit of generosity, which is especially heightened during the holiday season. Through #GivingTuesday, charities, private corporations, individuals, and families are brought together for the common goal of inspiring kindness and celebrating giving. This year #GivingTuesday will leverage the power of generosity and social media to kick off the holiday giving season with the help of more than 10,000 partners.
Recognizing #GivingTuesday as a powerful opportunity for everyone to positively impact an important cause, Eritrean Diaspora Network (EDN) invites you to participate in this global day of giving, and support our continuous efforts to build solidarity within the Eritrean diaspora and to take charge of the welfare of our community. EDN has implemented a number of programs, designed to fulfill its mission to develop innovative ways of improving the Eritrean community while fostering inclusivity, diversity, and tolerance of political differences. Focused on civic engagement, recent arrival support, and professional development, EDN is confident that these initiatives are well positioned to achieve the ultimate goal of building a stronger Eritrean Diaspora by:
- Providing a hub for Eritrean networking, to serve as a medium through which meaningful personal and professional relationships can be cultivated, while supporting leadership development efforts
- Engaging the local Eritrean diaspora in local, state, and national policy issues that will impact them and their communities, while mobilizing Eritreans to hold major national and foreign policy institutions accountable for addressing our community’s unique needs, and establishing the Eritrean community as an influential political force
- Developing community building programs designed to introduce and integrate recently arrived Eritreans into the broader Eritrean-American community, while building their capacity to function as effective members of society
Your donations will support these critical programing efforts, and in-turn have a direct impact on EDN’s ability to fulfill its mission. We hope that amidst the Black Friday and Cyber Monday craze, you take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Thanksgiving, recognize the power of your own generosity, and join the #GivingTuesday movement. Include EDN in your charitable giving this holiday season and DONATE TODAY.
***Please note although EDN is working diligently to secure itself as a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, your gift will not be eligible as a tax deductible donation at this time***
For more information about #GivingTuesday, visit www.givingtuesday.org.
To learn more about EDN visit us at eritreandiaspora.org or follow us on:
Twitter: @EriDiaspora
Instagram: @EriDiaspora
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eridiaspora