December 1, 2020 
If there was ever a year for #GivingTuesday, it’s 2020.
Giving Tuesday is a day meant to give back to the community around you. The day can take many different forms. Some donate their time and energy. Others, their funds. Whether locally focused or global in nature, how much you give is less important that the simple act of giving—every little bit helps, especially right now.
This December 1st support a cause or charity close to your heart. Here are a few to consider that are close to ours:
Brooke USA
Brooke USA, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports working horses, donkeys, mules and the people they serve throughout the developing world, is requesting donations to support their Power of ONE campaign. The organization has set a $1 million goal aimed at helping provide aide and support to vulnerable equine communities in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Created to emphasize the fact that it only takes one person to have a profound impact on millions of lives, the one-year campaign recognizes the enormous value of every single donation and every single donor. Funds donated to Brooke USA are used to stock remote vet clinics, teach proper animal handling in schools in Africa, reduce harness-related injuries in working equines, and advocate for equines involved in exploitative industries (to name a few).
To make an year-end gift to Brooke USA anytime or specifically on Dec. 1 during #GivingTuesday, visit the Brooke USA website or text ORANGE to 71760.
Days End Farm Horse Rescue
It’s been a tough year for everyone, and horse rescues are feeling the hurt this holiday season. Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) is a 501(c)(3) rescue and rehabilitation facility that relies on tours, tack donations, summer camps, and volunteers to provide support and care to 150 horses, as well as to run its numerous educational and outreach programs in both local communities and on the national level. With the onset of COVID, they’ve found many of their traditional avenues of fundraising shut down, and have increasingly needed to rely on donations.
This #GivingTuesday, they’re requesting tangible donations purchased from their Amazon Wish List. Items include turnout sheets (64”-72”), turnout light-weight blankets (64”-72”), turnout medium-weight blankets (64”-72”), waterproofing spray (for sheets and blankets), Thrushbuster or ThrushAway, 4” Vet Wrap, electrolytes, water heaters (submersible with cage, and floating), heated 5-gallon buckets, disinfectant aerosol spray and similar horse care products.
To make your donation go even further, you can add DEFHR as your AmazonSmile Charity of choice and Amazon will donate 0.5% of all eligible Amazon purchases you make to DEFHR. Or if you prefer, you can provide a monetary donation through their website, or even purchase DEFHR swag in their online store.
JustWorld International
JustWorld International, Official Charity Partner of the FEI, provides education, nutrition, clean drinking water, and healthcare to more than 9,000 vulnerable children around the world every year.
Jessica Newman, founder and president of JustWorld, reports that “Due to the duration of the pandemic, JustWorld has had to adapt in order to continue to be the source of hope for the marginalized populations we support. These children have never faced a crisis of this magnitude. In Guatemala for example, families are resorting to waving white flags out of their windows in hopes of receiving a simple meal. Food insecurity is real, and the need to fund our projects is dire.”
JustWorld International accepts monthly, annual and one-time donations in any amount.
There is no shortage of charities in need of support this year. For the Herd supports school horses affected by the pandemic in Ontario. The National Ability Center empowers individuals of all abilities through therapeutic riding. Local rescues can be found by state on the United Horse Coalition website.
Whoever and wherever you help, Newman put it best: “If ever there was a time when help was needed—it’s now.”
Want to shine a light on a cause close to your heart this #GivingTuesday? Post a link in the comments below.
