Today is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated after the Thanksgiving holiday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season.
As the guardian of two small children, I’ve been busy separating their toys, books and clothes that no longer serve them. I plan on donating children’s books to local daycares and schools, clothes to local shelters that serve women and the homeless community and toys to the widely popular Toys for Tots Foundation.
In celebration of #GivingTuesday, I asked the corporate communications team to share some of the books they would give to a friend, coworker, stranger and/or family member. Here are their responses:
Alex says:
“If you are looking for a story about true friendship and giving, look no further than The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Throughout the story, the Giving Tree gives the little boy everything she has, right down to her tree stump. If that’s not true the meaning of giving, I don’t know what is!”
Mike says:
“For me, it would be Monday is One Day by Arthur A. Levine. It’s a beautiful story that demonstrates a family can come in all shapes and sizes. I grew up in a single-parent household - and the story means a lot to me. It reminds children that their parents are working their hardest and that family time will happen after a long work day. It’s the perfect read aloud – and it celebrates our beautiful diverse society.”
Stephanie would give a friend “The Secret Lives of People in Love by Simon Van Booy, a collection of deeply moving short stories containing global characters with unique backgrounds and experiences that are truly touching.”
Brittany says:
“My top pick would be Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed. It’s a beautiful, blunt and powerful collection of questions and responses from an advice column and I think that there are lessons in here that everyone can learn from.”
Julia would give Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. “I read it a few months ago, and cannot stop thinking about it, which is the best kind of book.”
Morgan offered some poetry choices:
“I love a good book of poetry this time of year. Some recent poets I’ve loved are Kishwar Naheed and Jenny Zhang…and a Mary Oliver or Margaret Atwood collection of verse is always a good choice!”
How will you give this holiday season?
