After a weekend of indulgence and shopping, in the United States, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has earned the designation of Giving Tuesday.
We have a day for giving thanks. We have four for excessive shopping. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
In that spirit, I’d like to extend a gentle reminder that we have several active charity drives running right now, all for worthwhile charities that could use a helping hand, especially during the busy holiday season, when giving tends to decline.
Louis’ Birthday Charity Drive
We are supporting Eden Dora Trust this year for Louis’ birthday on Dec. 24th. Every year, we’ve surpassed our goal, and we’d love to do the same again for Eden Dora Trust this year.
Our goal this year is $27,000 and we have a long way to go yet.
Launched on the first World Encephalitis Day, 22nd February 2014, Eden Dora Trust was formed primarily to raise desperately needed funds to provide training for adults working with children affected by Encephalitis and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), to fund research in to Childhood Encephalitis, and help families and carers when they need it most.
To Donate: 1DFansGive for Eden Dora Trust
Harry’s Birthday Charity Drive
Due to Harry’s continued support of LGBT causes, we are also continuing our support for the Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline in honor of Harry’s 25th Birthday. Harry recorded a “happy birthday” message to Switchboard in 2014 in honor of their 40th birthday. You can see it here:http://youtu.be/ur9UknGcD9U
What is Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline?
Founded in 1974, the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (LLGS) is the oldest gay and lesbian telephone help line in the UK. In 2014, the program was renamed to its current nomenclature. Switchboard LGBT+Helpline provides a listening service for people to discuss their feelings in an impartial and non-judgmental way, as well as information and advice. Our goal is $25,000 and we’ve got a ways to go to get there. We’ve reached goal every year thus far, let’s keep up the awesome work!
To Donate: 1DFansGive for Switchboard
Liam’s Birthday Charity Drive
Our chosen charity for Liam’s drive is once again The Way Youth Zone, a children’s activity center based right in his hometown of Wolverhampton. Due to a generous donation from Liam himself, we achieved our 2017 fundraising goal and followed that up with reaching goal again in 2018!
It’s never too late to get a start on next year’s goal, though, and in that light we’ve already established his drive for 2019.
What is The Way Youth Zone?
With programs in sports, music, arts and other creative outlets, The Way/Wolverhampton Youth Zone offers youths and teens a safe, inclusive, diverse, and affordable place to go in their leisure time.
To Donate: 1DFansGive for The Way Youth Zone
Niall’s Birthday Charity Drive
Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity is just one of the numerous charities that Niall has supported over the years. Because of his continual support, we chose them for Niall’s birthday for 2018 and reached our goal!
. Niall’s drive for 2019 has yet to be established, however donations can still be made to this year’s drive.
What is Rays of Sunshine?
Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity exists to fulfill the wishes of UK children between the ages of 3-18, of any race or gender, who are terminally or seriously ill. It also buys equipment for these children and supports the hospices, hospitals and specialist schools that care for them.
To Donate: 1DFansGive for Rays of Sunshine
We’ve also established several charity drives that, while they have a “goal”, they are continuous and benefit other charities important to the boys, their families, and the fandom. These charities are as follows:
Trevor Project : Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13–24.
Stand Up To Cancer : In 2017, Harry’s stepfather passed away after a battle with cancer. In his memory, we established a drive to benefit Stand Up To Cancer. While the drive has achieved its goals, the work of Stand Up to Cancer continues, and so can your donations. Stand Up To Cancer brings the UK together to raise money to accelerate progress in cancer research. Donations will be made to Cancer Research UK in support of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign.
Bloodwise : On December 7, 2016, the entire fandom was devastated by the passing of Louis’ mother Johannah Deakin. In an effort to channel our grief, the fandom donated to Louis’ charity drive, and then to a separate drive established in Jay’s memory. While that drive has also reached goal, our love for Jay and her family is infinite. We continue to donate in hopes that someday another family won’t face this same terrible loss.
In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to any or all of these worthy charities.
