Hello, dear readers! If you’ve arrived here by scanning the QR code on our Alternative Holiday Calendar, you’re in for a treat. If not, welcome to a post that will redefine how you look at our traditions and the holidays we celebrate. Today, we’re diving deep into the International Day of Charity, celebrated every year on September 5th. This holiday offers a fantastic opportunity to escape consumerism and connect with what really matters—giving, community, and intentional living.
Background of the Holiday
Historical Perspective
The International Day of Charity didn’t just randomly land on September 5th. This date marks the passing of Mother Teresa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a symbol of compassion and selfless giving. Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire and is now the capital of North Macedonia. At the age of 18, she moved to Ireland to join the Sisters of Loreto and later arrived in India, where she committed her life to helping the sick and the poor.
Her efforts led to the foundation of the Missionaries of Charity, an organization that started as a small convent in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India, and has now spread across the world. The organization runs homes for people dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis; provides soup kitchens, orphanages, schools, and more. For her humanitarian work, she received various accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
Mother Teresa’s legacy serves as a potent reminder of the positive impact one person can have. In 2012, the United Nations officially recognized the International Day of Charity, to both honor her extraordinary life and to encourage charitable actions globally. The holiday aligns perfectly with her ethos of compassionate giving, making it an ideal time to focus on charitable acts that can change lives.
Sociological Perspective
Charity has been an essential part of societies worldwide, acting as a glue that holds communities together. From barn-raising events in early American society to mutual aid in indigenous cultures, giving has always fostered social cohesion. The simple act of giving can create what sociologists call “social capital,” the networks of relationships that enrich our lives.
Pagan Culture & Alternative Traditions
If you’re yearning for a non-Christian perspective, pagan traditions offer enriching views on charity and reciprocity. In pagan cultures, giving often has a cyclical nature; it is not a one-way act but part of a larger system of give-and-take. For example, the Celtic tradition of Samhain included leaving food offerings for the spirits, who in turn would provide protection and blessings.
Importance of the Holiday
Historical Importance
Acts of giving have shaped civilizations and their values. For instance, the institution of Zakat in Islamic culture, a form of almsgiving, has significantly impacted social welfare systems.
Sociological Importance
Charitable acts are not merely feel-good activities; they have tangible social benefits. According to a study published in the “Frontiers of Psychology journal,” individuals who engage in charitable donations and volunteering experience increased social connectedness and reduced levels of stress and depression.
Biological Importance
Did you know that being charitable can boost your happiness levels?
- A study published in “Natural Communications” suggests that both promising to be generous and actually being generous with our time and money is related to happiness.
- An article from Psychology Today discusses how being kind to others helps balance cortisol (a stress hormone) while also increasing levels of oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine!
- In essence, we have evolved to be biologically wired to feel good when we do good.
Ways to Celebrate
Simple Celebration Method: Charity in Daily Life
Time Required: 5-10 minutes daily
Supplies Required: A jar, small pieces of paper, a pen
One easy yet impactful way to celebrate the International Day of Charity is by introducing small acts of kindness into your everyday life. The concept here is straightforward: create a “Kindness Jar.”
How to Create a Kindness Jar
- Find a jar and place it somewhere easily accessible.
- Cut small pieces of paper and keep them next to the jar with a pen.
- Write down simple acts of kindness on these pieces of paper, fold them, and place them in the jar.
Simple Kindnesses to Get You Started:
- Compliment a stranger
- Hold the door open for someone
- Help a neighbor with their groceries
- Donate used clothes to a local shelter
- Leave a positive note in a public place for someone to find
- Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line
- Share a skill or a piece of knowledge with someone
- Call or text someone just to check how they are doing
- Spend some time volunteering virtually
- Offer to pet-sit for a friend or neighbor
Every morning or at a time that works for you, pick one note from the jar and act on it. Each act might take just 5-10 minutes of your time but could make a significant impact on someone’s day.
Friendly Expert tip: Once you get the hang of it, encourage your family, friends, or coworkers to participate. It can become a community jar, encouraging a widespread culture of kindness.
The beauty of the Kindness Jar is its simplicity and adaptability. You can tailor it to fit your life circumstances, making it a customizable and highly rewarding practice.
Elaborate Celebration Method: Partner with a Local Organization for a Community Charity Event
Time Required: Varies (a few weeks to a few months of planning)
Supplies Required: Event supplies will depend on the type of charity event you choose.
If you’re feeling ambitious and want to make a larger impact, consider partnering with a local organization for a community charity event. Not only does this help the organization’s cause, but it also brings your community together in a meaningful way. This method requires more time and effort but offers an opportunity for substantial societal impact.
Steps to Get Started:
- Identify the Cause: Decide on the cause you want to support. It could be anything from environmental conservation to aiding a local shelter.
- Research Local Organizations: Look for local charities or NGOs that align with your chosen cause. Reach out to them to explore partnership opportunities.
- Engage Work Team Members: If your workplace encourages community engagement, pitch the idea during a team meeting or through an internal email. You could organize team members to volunteer or contribute to the event.
- Event Planning: Once you’ve partnered with an organization, start planning the charity event. It could be a bake sale, a charity run, an auction, or even an online fundraiser.
- Pagan Reciprocity: Introduce elements from pagan culture by incorporating the theme of reciprocity. For instance, attendees can offer something to a ‘Community Altar’—an area where people can leave items that they no longer need. In exchange, they can take something from the altar that they might find useful.
- Promotion: Use social media, community bulletin boards, and workplace channels to promote your event. The more people you can get involved, the greater the impact.
Partnership Ideas:
- Offer to host a storytelling evening at a local children’s hospital.
- Arrange for your work team to spend a day volunteering at a food bank.
- Organize a community clean-up event in partnership with an environmental NGO.
- Host a virtual skill-share workshop and donate the proceeds to charity.
Friendly Expert tip: Make the most of your skills. If you’re a marketing whiz, offer to help the charity with their social media. If you’re good with numbers, volunteer to help with their accounts. There’s more than one way to be charitable!
Embarking on such an elaborate celebration method can be highly rewarding, giving you the chance to leave a lasting impact on your community and also experience the joy and satisfaction that come from organized giving.
Wrapping up
The International Day of Charity offers a beautiful escape from the consumerism that often plagues modern holidays. Whether you choose a simple or elaborate method, the key is to be intentional in your actions. You’re not just ticking off a charity box; you’re actively participating in the cycle of giving and receiving, contributing to a healthier, happier society.
So go ahead, make this International Day of Charity your own. In 2024 it was one of 50+ alternative holidays included in our Alternative Holiday Calendar and it may just become a regular! 🙂
Friendly Expert tip: Remember, charity begins at home but should not end there. Extend your acts of kindness beyond your immediate circle and watch the ripple effects transform your life and community.