The first ever Joy of Giving Week, has officially ended. For those of us who have been involved with the week in some capacity, either organising, looking after the publicity, or involved with one of those campaigns to create awareness, it is as if there's a vaccum in our lives, for much of our 'waking thoughts' was related to the Joy of Giving Week. In the weeks to come, we will take stock of the feedback we receive, and perhaps brainstorm about how we can make the Joy of Giving Week, bigger and better next year.
Meanwhile, we would like to thank all those who made it their mission to inspire, to share, to give and to thank. To them we say, Thank you for the support. To those who found themselves unable to participate this year, we say, come and experience the rewards of belonging to a 'giving community'. If you would like to share with us your experiences, ideas, do mail us at jgw@giveindia.org.
We meet next in 2010, to celebrate the Joy of Giving Week, from 26th Sept. tp 3rd oct., 2010.
Thank You for being there for us and please do continue to give.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
3rd Oct., Day 7
The final day of the Joy of Giving Week, and we share with you a story that captures the essence and spirit of the week; a story of joyous and wholehearted giving, of expressing thanks. Mr.Sridhar and his family decided to express their thanks to the autodriver who had ferried the former's daughter to school. They invited the autodriver and his family home and besides serving them a sumptous lunch, also gave them some gifts. The smiles on the faces of the autodrivers children as they receive the gifts, says it all; the surprise, the pleasure, the joy.These stories of ordinary citizens going out of their way to spread joy in the lives of others, are an inspiration for us. They speak to us of sharing and caring, of walking that extra mile to bring a smile to another's face, make other lives a little easier, by helping them carry their burdens. In the days to come, we look forward to more participants write in with their stories of joy and hope, and we will feature them on this blog, so that we may all learn to inspire, to share, to give and to thank.
Friday, October 2, 2009
2nd Oct., Day 6
There is enough in this world for everyone's need, not everyone's greed. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Day 6 of the Joy of Giving Week, and it is also Gandhi Jayanthi. It is ironical that 16 people have been massacred by Naxalites in Bihar today. In this background, when one writes about the Joy of Giving Week, one wonders what Gandhiji would have thought of the idea of devoting a week to giving . He is sure to have appreciated it, for very few have given back as he has.
Akanksha, Mumbai, that works with underprivileged children, has earmarked today as Volunteer Day and has invited all who would like to, to share their skills and time with children.
In Patiala, Avneet Kaur, along with a group of friends will be treating underprivileged children to a free movie and snacks. Hopefully in the interaction that is likely to happen between the children and the volunteers, lives connect and change positively.
SASWAT in Orissa, also has volunteering as its aim today and members of the organisation plan to spend their day at a senior citizens' home.
It is fitting that all these events are based on the Gandhian principles of peace, non-violence, sharing and giving back to the community.While all these efforts are laudable, one also hopes fervently that we are able to sustain this giving and sharing. If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, his message to us would be to give and continue to give. Let us pledge to do so both today and for all the days to come. giving can and should continue even when the Joy of Giving Week has come to an end.
Day 6 of the Joy of Giving Week, and it is also Gandhi Jayanthi. It is ironical that 16 people have been massacred by Naxalites in Bihar today. In this background, when one writes about the Joy of Giving Week, one wonders what Gandhiji would have thought of the idea of devoting a week to giving . He is sure to have appreciated it, for very few have given back as he has.
Akanksha, Mumbai, that works with underprivileged children, has earmarked today as Volunteer Day and has invited all who would like to, to share their skills and time with children.
In Patiala, Avneet Kaur, along with a group of friends will be treating underprivileged children to a free movie and snacks. Hopefully in the interaction that is likely to happen between the children and the volunteers, lives connect and change positively.
SASWAT in Orissa, also has volunteering as its aim today and members of the organisation plan to spend their day at a senior citizens' home.
It is fitting that all these events are based on the Gandhian principles of peace, non-violence, sharing and giving back to the community.While all these efforts are laudable, one also hopes fervently that we are able to sustain this giving and sharing. If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, his message to us would be to give and continue to give. Let us pledge to do so both today and for all the days to come. giving can and should continue even when the Joy of Giving Week has come to an end.
1st Oct., Day 5
Day 5 and some major events sheduled across cities: CSR Bridge 2009, an ambitious partnership between changemakers and decision makers, looking at inclusive growth, to be held in Delhi. Its mandate is to, "catalyze social change, giving impetus to developing India." It aims to do this by organising a conference "which will bring together Government leaders, Representatives of Industry, Heads of Foundations, International persons inclined to CSR missions and representatives of most effective NGOs to discuss the key issues, challenges & innovative solutions for the development sector"
A Joybazar would also be organised as a part of the CSR Bridge, giving an opportunity for NGOs to showcase their projects.
Meanwhile the Battle of the Buffet kicks off in Chennai today, with leading 5 star hotels and top restaurants cooking for a cause, by hosting a fundraiser for NGOs. A donor who makes a donation of Rs 5K to an NGO will be given an invite to this event. There is no cost to the NGO.
The other much looked for event to be held today is the Styles for Smiles, in Mumbai,where CEOs walk the ramp to raise funds. One of the unique factors of the Joy of Giving Week, besides the idea, is the manner in which it has truly turned into a 'pan India ' movement where everybody from a "paanwallah to a billionaire" has been able to participate. We had autodrivers doing Annadaanam, in Chennai 2 days ago and we have CEOs of bluechip companies walking the ramp today, all for the same cause. It can happen only in India. We are like this only. Truly we know the Joy of Giving.
A Joybazar would also be organised as a part of the CSR Bridge, giving an opportunity for NGOs to showcase their projects.
Meanwhile the Battle of the Buffet kicks off in Chennai today, with leading 5 star hotels and top restaurants cooking for a cause, by hosting a fundraiser for NGOs. A donor who makes a donation of Rs 5K to an NGO will be given an invite to this event. There is no cost to the NGO.
The other much looked for event to be held today is the Styles for Smiles, in Mumbai,where CEOs walk the ramp to raise funds. One of the unique factors of the Joy of Giving Week, besides the idea, is the manner in which it has truly turned into a 'pan India ' movement where everybody from a "paanwallah to a billionaire" has been able to participate. We had autodrivers doing Annadaanam, in Chennai 2 days ago and we have CEOs of bluechip companies walking the ramp today, all for the same cause. It can happen only in India. We are like this only. Truly we know the Joy of Giving.
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