NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY- NOVEMBER-15

 

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY-

NOVEMBER-15

National Philanthropy Day is celebrated annually on November 15 to honor the impact of charitable giving, volunteerism, and the individuals and organizations that work to improve their communities.The Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) National Philanthropy Day was created in 1986 by philanthropist Douglas Freeman of Orange County, California, and formalized by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who signed a proclamation recognizing November 15 as National Philanthropy Day in the US.In 2012, the Government of Canada signed the National Philanthropy Day Act into law, declaring November 15 as the annual celebration of National Philanthropy Day as well.In 1986, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed November 15th as National Philanthropy Day (NPD); encouraging the celebration of donors (individuals, foundations and corporations), volunteers and leaders who build better communities.Later, in 2012, Canada became the first Country to recognize National Philanthropy Day (NPD) permanently through a bill sponsored by Senator Terry Mercer, CFRE.The Southern Alberta Chapter of AFP recognizes that it takes many caring leaders to build a community. The Inspiring Philanthropy Awards provides the opportunity to recognize and celebrate philanthropic leaders who give freely of their time, talent and treasure to make a difference in the lives of those around them.The Inspiring Philanthropy Awards is a vital component to the National Philanthropy Week celebrations within our community. These awards provide an opportunity for non-profit organizations, allied-professionals, volunteers, service organizations and others in the community to acknowledge and showcase their philanthropic partners.

The concept was originally thought up and then organized by Douglas Freeman in the 1980s. The first National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon was held in cities across the country in 1986, after President Ronald Reagan proclaimed November 15 as National Philanthropy Day. President Ronald Reagan was the first world leader to declare an official National Philanthropy Day, to celebrate ‘the love of humankind’. Every year since then, communities across the globe have celebrated by hosting events to recognize activities of donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations, and others engaged in philanthropy.There is no one correct way to celebrate National Philanthropy Day, as everyone helps people indifferent ways. Bill Gates for one seems to have been celebrating this holiday every day of his life for the past few years, since the creation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. However, most people in the world are not nearly as vastly wealthy as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or the like, and therefore can find other, smaller ways to help others–even small donation or kind gesture on our part can mean the world to someone who is, for example, suffering from a serious illness in poverty.There are many ways to participate in the celebration of this great holiday, and as with Bill Gates, it is best when we do not help others only one day a year. Philanthropy means the act of loving humankind, and everyone knows that love can be expressed in a number of ways. So, find a charity with a cause you care deeply about, be it one that feeds hungry children, or one that helps people suffering from a certain disease.

Maybe someone in your family was taken too young by a sickness you would like to see defeated once and for all? Or maybe you feel that there is not enough awareness about LGBT youth’s struggles with bullying in schools and just want other people to notice the problem and take it seriously?No matter whether your gesture is helping to collect food for Christmas packages for the poor. Collecting money to help feed the ever-increasing number of animals in animal shelters. Raising money for extra new books to be bought at your local public school, or just spending a little time every now and the with elderly people in nursing homes who do not have any relatives to keep them company.

Prof. John Kurakar