GivingTuesday, celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y in New York City, as a way to encourage people to give back in their daily lives – from donating to nonprofits to volunteering at local community centers.
Now an international phenomenon, GivingTuesday emphasizes that taking action on this day shouldn’t be just an annual event, or only about donating money. “You can give – each Tuesday and every day – whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community,” the nonprofit stresses.
Need ideas? Here’s two:
1) Give flowers or a box of candy to the shut-in on your block. On almost every street in Pacific Palisades, there’s one elderly person who would be overjoyed to receive an unexpected gift — and a short visit.
2) Give to the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness (visit:pptfh.org). LAPD Captain Jonathan Tom recently praised the organization for all the help it has provided the homeless.
MARGULEAS KNOWS ABOUT GIVING:
(Left to right) Amalfi Founder Anthony Marguleas with Ainslea Crane, Chad Singer, Brian Bogulski and Max Marguleas as they handed out Homeboy Bakery pies on November 23.
Amalfi Estates founder Anthony Marguleas promotes a philanthropic ethos among his team of 12 agents.
“We can all give back, it doesn’t have to be large amounts,” said Marguleas, whose team has donated $482,000 from their commissions this year to six partner charities: The People Concern, American Cancer Society, Wags&Walks, Homeboy Industries, Make-a-Wish and Heal the Bay.
At Amalfi, 10% of the commission on each transaction is donated to the charity of the client’s choice.
“We have 28 houses in escrow totaling $60 million, with 30 days to go until the end of the year,” Marguleas told Circling the News.
As part of Marguleas’ giving spirit, he once again hosted Thanksgiving Pie Day at his office by ordering 250 pies (pumpkin and apple) from the Homeboy Bakery and distributing them to friends and clients in Pacific Palisades.
The Homeboy Bakery is a social enterprise division of Homeboy Industries, a community-based nonprofit organization that provides a second chance and safe space for young individuals, who have been incarcerated or involved with gangs. An 18-month training certification program teaches participants essential skills and helps the youth rebuild their lives.
In the past, Amalfi’s partnership with Homeboy resulted in funding to help pay for tattoo removal for 258 former gang members, and thus help them secure a job.