It seems in recent years that the holiday shopping period has ramped up in intensity.
Thanksgiving Day used to be an actual holiday – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
This year though, many businesses started their Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving Day.
It doesn’t seem that long ago when few businesses were even open on Sundays – let alone U.S. National Holidays.
How Giving Tuesday Came About
In 2012, the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation named the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving (that’s the day after Cyber Monday) Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday is a day when people can come together for one common purpose: to celebrate community and to give.
Since then, many large company’s have jumped onboard to help increase the popularity of this new anti-holiday. Even Edward Norton of “Fight Club” fame has taken it on as a personal mission,
There was all this energy and attention on gearing up for the holiday shopping season, and some people got together and decided there should be reminder that the holiday season is also the season of giving back and that a day should be dedicated to rallying momentum around that idea.
He also started a for-profit charitable fundraising platform called CrowdRise that helps people raise money for their favorite causes online.
How RVers Can Contribute to Giving Tuesday
You might be wondering if there are any RV-related ways you can contribute to this cause.
Donate Your RV to Charity
One way to help out is to donate your RV to charity.
Helping Hands of America has an RV donation program that offers many benefits to an RV owner.
By donating your RV you’ll,
- avoid maintenance costs and ad fees for listing your RV online or in printed magazines/newspapers
- save time trying to find a buyer
- transfer responsibility to someone else immediately
- keep your ownership and contact info private
- avoid the hassle of having people come to your home or business to view your rig
Action Donation Services also has an RV donation program. You’ll just need to complete their online form or give them a call here.
Another organization, Kars4Kids, will even pick up your RV for free.
Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanners Program
If you’re interested in donating your time or funds rather than your vehicle, Habitat for Humanity has a program designed just for RVers.
Their RV Care-A-Vanners program lets you join in the effort to provide a home to those in need of shelter.
RV Care-A-Vanners as they’re called, “travel around the United States and Canada, helping local Habitat for Humanity affiliates build hundreds of houses annually.”
If you’re unable to physically participate, you can donate funds to the program as well.
Read more about the program here.
Conclusion
RVers have a couple of ways to join in the spirit of Giving Tuesday.
If you’re in the market for a newer RV, you can donate your old rig to charity. You’ll save time, hassle, and get a nice tax write-off as well.
And if you want to donate your time or funds, Habitat for Humanity’s Care-A-Vanners program will let you do just that.
Learn more at Giving Tuesday or at the Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanners website.
