Brownieland Celebrates National Gratitude Month by Recognizing Giving Tuesday

November is National Gratitude Month, a time of year to reflect on what we are thankful for and give back to those in need. At Brownieland Pictures, we are grateful for nonprofits making a difference in communities every day, and we are honored to partner and volunteer with some incredible Atlanta organizations. We also recognize the organizations that provide guidance, grants, and partnerships enabling nonprofits to continue to impact the lives of people in their communities and beyond. There are many ways to show gratitude to these organizations by lending a helping hand and giving back to the community. One of the perks of connecting with local nonprofits is that we get a chance to discover all kinds of programs ranging from organizations that support women-owned businesses to nonprofits that promote literacy. Check out this article by Atlanta Parent on ways to give back to Atlanta communities.

On November 30th, GivingTuesday will provide an “opportunity for people around the world to come together through generosity in all its forms by sharing acts of kindness and giving their voice, time, money, goods, and advocacy to support communities and causes.” GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. GivingTuesday is now an independent nonprofit and a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity. In the United States, GivingTuesday is locally-led in over 240 communities, networks, and coalitions. Learn about ways that you can celebrate National Gratitude Month by participating in Giving Tuesday!

Give Support. 

During the holiday season, community organizations and nonprofits need support more than ever. Launched in 2012, the GAgives movement has helped thousands of Georgia nonprofits raise more than $28 million, thanks to the generosity of some 160,000 supporters. The GAGives website states: “Each year, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN) hosts Georgia’s nonprofit giving event in partnership with a legion of generous corporate, foundation, civic, creative, and media partners.” Led by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), today GAgives on GivingTuesday is the state’s most significant giving movement, designed to connect citizens and nonprofits. Find participating Georgia nonprofit organizations HERE and give your support in celebration of GAgives on GivingTuesday!

Special Olympics Georgia

The mission of Special Olympics Georgia is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Special Olympics Georgia is run almost entirely by volunteers in order to fulfill its mission for the athletes. The Brownieland Team volunteered with Special Olympics Georgia for the Virtual Fan volunteer project in support of SOGA athletes during the pandemic. Learn about more ways you can give support to SOGA HERE.

Second Helpings Atlanta

Second Helpings Atlanta is a nonprofit food rescue organization dedicated to fighting hunger and reducing food waste in metro Atlanta. The food SHA rescues every day gets diverted from landfills and is used to feed those in need, making Atlanta a more environmentally responsible metropolitan area. With a community of over 200 volunteers, SHA serves as the link between their network of food donors and partner agencies who feed the hungry on a daily basis. Needless to say, volunteers are at the heart of Second Helpings Atlanta. The Brownieland Team lent a hand to SHA volunteering with SHA’s Food Rescue Driver program and experienced firsthand the incredible work this organization does to make a difference in the Atlanta community. Learn about ways to support Second Helpings Atlanta HERE.

Give Your Time.

Giving your time through volunteerism offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community. Additionally, it has been shown that volunteering can be beneficial for us by reducing stress, combatting depression, and providing a sense of purpose. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies showed that people who had volunteered in the past year were more satisfied with their lives and rated their overall health as better. Here are some ways you can give your time to help your community.

Pebble Tossers

Pebble Tossers creates pathways for youth to engage in volunteerism in order to affect real change in our communities and develop lifelong leadership skills. In 2010, Pebble Tossers began by hosting four volunteer projects and launched their website to match volunteers with nonprofits and age-appropriate projects. Through the years, Pebble Tossers has empowered and equipped youth to lead through service by offering various volunteer opportunities in Georgia. Find out how you can give your time to Pebble Tossers HERE.

Hands On Atlanta

Another local nonprofit that offers volunteer opportunities is Hands On Atlanta. This organization connects 20,000 changemakers to 150+ nonprofits and schools in need while engaging 100+ socially responsible companies to help make a difference in our community. Find volunteer opportunities HERE.

Make A Wish Georgia

The mission of Make A Wish Georgia is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since its founding in 1995, Make-A-Wish Georgia has granted over 8,000 wishes to children facing critical illnesses in our community. Wishes bring hope to local wish kids and their families at a time they need it the most. Find out how you can get involved with Make A Wish Georgia HERE.

Watch this video Brownieland produced in partnership with Make A Wish Georgia to learn about Travis and his wish to be a firefighter.

Literacy Action 

An Atlanta nonprofit organization that offers rewarding volunteer opportunities is Literacy Action. The mission of Literacy Action is to build better futures for adults by teaching literacy, life, and work skills that empower them to reach their highest potential. Literacy Action’s vision is to set the standard of excellence in the field of adult basic education and break the intergenerational cycle of low literacy and poverty. Find opportunities to volunteer HERE.

Learn more in this video Brownieland produced in partnership with Literacy Action. 

Give Gratitude.

In honor of National Gratitude Month, a wonderful way to support GivingTuesday is by simply giving gratitude. GivingTuesday.org suggests: “Thank your postal carrier, delivery driver, and other essential workers. Write thank you cards, post on social media, and share your appreciation for the people and organizations who are helping your community.” According to an article by BetterUp, “Psychologists have highly researched gratitude and find it to be among the main focuses of positive psychology. Evidence suggests that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed.” Learn about ways you can give gratitude to Georgia nonprofits.

United Way of Greater Atlanta

In a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, United Way of Greater Atlanta president and CEO Milton J. Little Jr. talks about giving thanks and helping others. The mission of United Way of Greater Atlanta is to engage and bring together people and resources to drive sustainable and equitable improvements in the well-being of children, families, and individuals in the community. United Way of Greater Atlanta offers a multitude of ways to help others, including volunteer opportunities like the one Brownieland took part in lending a hand to a local school. Find out more about how you can get involved with United Way of Greater Atlanta HERE.

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

The subject of giving thanks brings us to a video we produced in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta entitled, Thank You. The mission of JWFA is to care for, connect, and strengthen the Jewish community throughout greater Atlanta, Israel, and the world. JWFA offers a multitude of opportunities to get involved. Find out more HERE.

Watch this video to see how The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta makes a difference!

Operation Gratitude 

Operation Gratitude is a nonprofit organization that forges strong bonds between Americans and Military & First Responders through volunteer service projects, acts of gratitude, and meaningful engagements. Brownieland volunteered with Operation Gratitude for the Digital Letter Writing Program as part of the Virtual Volunteerism Program. As stated on their website, each year Operation Gratitude sends 300,000+ individually addressed Care Packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen deployed overseas, to their children left behind, and to First Responders, New Recruits, Veterans, Wounded Heroes, and their Care Givers. Learn more HERE.

In the words of the GivingTuesday website: 

There are so many different ways to express generosity on GivingTuesday and every day! It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give.”