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The Good Long Road | Commentary by Jennifer Fischer
| Saturday, Nov 30, 2013

JenniferFischerMid-week, my husband went to Best Buy. When he got there, he was surprised to see lines of tents outside. He discovered that some individuals had been camping out since Sunday in order to be first in line for Black Friday deals.

He and I were both a bit stunned. We’re not Black Friday shoppers, as you’ll know if you read last week’s column, “Black Friday Confession.”

The idea that people camp out for days to save money on a material item has really been staying with me. That people will take days off from work for those deals (which might result in a loss of pay) or that people will lose out on valuable family time has been staying with me, too. The idea that people will harm other individuals, in some cases, so they get a material item rather than someone else, has also been staying with me.

In short, I’ve been thinking a lot about the nation’s Black Friday obsession and, in some cases, extreme consumption and obsession with the acquisition of “stuff.”

At the same time, I’ve been brainstorming and speaking with my fellow “hunger heroes,” as I call them. These individuals are on the No Kid Hungry Social Council with me.

Most, like me, volunteer their time, words, energies, efforts and dollars in a shared mission to create a future in which no child in America struggles with hunger. (Sixteen million children in the U.S. struggle with hunger today. That’s 1 in 5.)

With all of these different thoughts dancing around in my head, they’ve come together in a specific way: They have me dreaming about a camp-out for causes, if you will.

Wouldn’t it be great if people camped out for days and days to be the first to make a donation to their favorite charity or food pantry or homeless shelter at midnight on Giving Tuesday?

Wouldn’t it be great if people took a day or two off of work to donate their time to help others in need?

Wouldn’t it be great if people stopped in a store and asked fellow shoppers how they could help them, rather than rushing past them, through them or over them to get an item?

I’m ready to start the movement.

I’m ready to camp out for a cause.

I’m ready to make this Giving Tuesday the biggest yet. I’ll be writing, tweeting, Facebook sharing, donating and much, much more on Tuesday to support causes that are important to me. I’m ready to kick off my Kindness Countdown to Christmas on Dec. 1. I’m ready to continue my reflections on gratitude. I’m ready to give thanks and to give back.

I’m ready for you to join me. How will you be a part of Giving Tuesday? Pop over to The Good Long Road on Facebook and let me know, or leave a comment here (look below).

No Kid Hungry has set a goal to raise $25,000 on Tuesday. That $25,000 will be matched by Tyson Foods, which will mean $50,000 in one day, which equates to 500,000 meals for children in need. That’s half a million meals for children who live with instability and uncertainty about their next meal, or children who might only eat meals at school.

That’s something to celebrate. That’s something worth standing in line for. That’s something I want to be a part of. I hope you’ll be a part of it, too – or that you’ll give what you can in whatever way you can to something that is important to you.

Whether it is your time, your words or your money, remember that it matters. And thank you in advance for whatever it is you do to make the world a little kinder.

Happy Holidays – and Happy Giving Tuesday.

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.

 

 

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2 Comments

  1. Karen Sameyah says:

    I think this is an amazing perspective, as well as an idea that more people should consider. Life should mean more to people than things. We as a whole need to look at life differently than the media wants us to. Giving should be the key to living. Keep on promoting. Maybe more poeple will see the light!!!

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