Giving Tuesday is coming to the South Cariboo on Nov. 28.
Held every Tuesday following American Thanksgiving, the day is designed to encourage people to be generous and kind to those around them. This year Kristin Wells, the Cariboo Mental Health Association’s South Cariboo community engagement co-ordinator, is encouraging 100 Mile House residents to take part.
“We were inspired to bring Giving Tuesday to the South Cariboo after reading all of the heartwarming stories of generosity worldwide and hoped to bring a little bit of that generosity to the South Cariboo,” Wells said. “We want to let people know that everyone has something to give, whether it’s helping a stranger, making someone smile, or giving to those who need our help.”
Taking part in Giving Tuesday is easy to do, Wells said, as it just requires people to do good in the community. This can be as simple as holding the door for others, smiling at people you see on the streets, or donating to local non-profits, like the CMHA
Wells said they also want to raise awareness about the services the CMHA provides to the community and raise the money to support the various programs they run. These include homeless outreach, clubhouse, community navigator, supported independent living, acquired brain injury and stop the violence counseling.
“I would want to let the community know that we are not a government agency, we are a nonprofit and a registered charity. When people donate to CMHA South Cariboo, their donation stays at CMHA South Cariboo,” Wells said. “Even if people can’t donate funds on Giving Tuesday, I encourage them to go out and do something good for someone, even if it’s just opening a door for someone else.”
Beyond doing good deeds for the sake of good deeds, Wells said evidence suggests being kind to others can benefit your own mental and physical health. With the holiday season and the accompanying stress fast approaching, Wells observed finding ways to improve our mental health can only be beneficial.
“When you help others, it promotes positive physiological changes in the brain associated with happiness. Helping others improves social support, encourages us to be more physically active, distracts us from our problems, and allows us to engage in meaningful activity,” Wells said. “It boosts your mood, self-esteem and reduces stress. Being kind to others is contagious and encourages others to repeat that kindness.”
Those interested in taking part in Giving Tuesday can go to the CMHA’s Facebook or Instagram pages for ideas or can simply go out and be kind to others.
Donations can be made to the CMHA online by clicking the donate button on southcariboo.cmha.bc.ca, via mail by sending money to PO Box 876 100 Mile House, V0K 2E0 or by simply dropping it off at their office at 555B South Cedar Avenue in the green building beside the 100 Mile District General Hospital.
