Generosity Day is here!!!
We announced it on Friday, and it’s spread like wildfire over the weekend (1,000+ tweets, expecting 30-40 blog posts today at a minimum…for example on FastCompany, ABC News, Katya’s Nonprofit Marketing Blog, Malaria No More, Beth Kanter’s blog, New York Public Library).
Our hunch was spot on: people are hungering for something more in their lives – more connection and more meaning.
When I put up my post on Friday, I was hoping this idea would spread. It has.
But that’s not good enough. Now I have a much bigger aspiration. We need people to ACT. Thousands of actions. Millions of actions. Tweeting ain’t enough.
So please, today, continue to spread the word AND to celebrate Generosity Day through your actions. It’s a day of practicing saying YES, because doing so will change you and change those around you.
Give to people on the street. Tip outrageously. Help a stranger. Write a note telling someone how much you appreciate them. Smile. Donate (more) to a cause that means a lot to you. Take clothes to GoodWill. Share your toys (grownups and kids). Be patient with yourself and with others. Replace the toilet paper in the bathroom. All generous acts count!
As you act generously, and as you witness acts of generosity, please keep folks updated using the #generosityday hashtag or post on www.facebook.com/generosityday
For example:
I just celebrated #generosityday by tipping my waiter 50%! Reboot Valentine’s Day by being generous! http://bit.ly/fJASGV
I’m commemorating #generosityday by volunteering for @pencilsofpromis! Share your stories on www.facebook.com/generosityday
Just watched someone smile and shrug after being splashed by a car driving by. It must be #generosityday
Happy Generosity Day, and here’s to the start of a new tradition!!!
(A HUGE thank you to all the people who have made this happen, especially Scott Case at Malaria No More for (inadvertently?) pulling together me, Katya Andresen and Ellen McGirt on a panel for Social Media Week, and to Katya and Ellen for their encouragement to do this now.)
Thank you to all the folks who have jumped in to spread the word, including:
Katya Andresen’s Nonprofit Marketing Blog, Ellen McGirt at FastCompany, Malaria No More, ABC News, the New York Public Library, Jennifer McCrea’s Exponential Fundraising Blog, The Marketoonist, Lucy Bernholz (Philanthropy 2173), Sharon Schneider (The Philanthropic Family), TBD, the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation, Hyderabad Happiness, Jocelyn Wyatt, Idea Transplant, New Frontier, Getting Attention Nonprofit Marketing Blog, Keoghzer’s Blog, Frugaltopia…
Great initiative Sasha
It would be great for everyone who participates to take photos with Instagram and other sharing apps and use the hashtag.
Generosity Day is here!!!
This is a great idea and will certainly make you feel better than a box of chocolates. I’ve emailed Coalition for the Homeless in NYC to see if they could use a volunteer to help give out food and blankets. Looking forward to it!
Encouraging my readers to jump on the generosity bandwagon too! This is such an awesome idea, thanks Sasha! http://www.brigidslipka.com/2011/02/how-could-i-not-blog-about-this/
Sasha:
This is a great idea. My family and friends are supporting this effort.
Genorosity use to be the standard; lets make it so again.
Kindest regards,
Frank H. Ille
We at Boom Boom! Cards absolutely LOVE this! We’ve informed our Agents of Altruism on all fronts (blog, facebook & twitter). Congrats on such an epic idea with truly amazing turn around.
Boom Boom!
http://blog.boomboomcards.com/2011/02/random-acts-of-kindness-week-generosity-day-2011/
http://facebook.com/boomboomcards
http://twitter.com/boomboomcards
Your enthusiasm is commendable and exciting, as well as your cause; which I think is for people to think of something besides themselves, and participate in the community of mankind, with verve and compassion. I would agree with you that people are hungering for a “real” experience and existence rather than the contrived “poser” approach we are groomed for through our cultural effects. Phariseism is what that results in. Looking good on the outside and being rotten on the inside; “whited sepulchres” as Jesus described it over 2000 years ago. Maybe someday we will catch on. Adios, and keep up the good works. We need it……….
Hi Sasha,
i just watched your ted talk. very touching and inspiring. I’ve been practicing random acts of kindness for some months now, and am amazed how it changes me. Giving and doing and saying good things to strangers, without expecting to be thanked, or becoming friends or as part of a friendship/relationship really gave and gives me a deep sense of joy and being connected to everyone.
Your talk made me think about the situations in which I say no and why. I live in Berlin, Germany and mostly say yes to people who ask for money on the street. Almost always, except when they ask me for money or food in an unfriendly, aggressive or pushy manner. Your talk inspired me to SAY YES always, to all, because it is the right thing to do. To the needs of oneself and the needs of others. Saying yes, from now on also to unfriendly requests. They don’t have to earn a yes, be friendly. They can be as they are. It will be my experiment for the months to come.
Thanks for the inspiration and keep doing the right thing!
Yolanda
sasha,
i forgot to mention:
whenever you need a dutch or german translation for your project, let me know!
I’ll be more than happy to SAY YES 🙂
herzliche grüße aus berlin,
yolanda