Following Thanksgiving, a day on which we gather with family and friends to reflect on and express gratitude for the year’s blessings, attention quickly turns to the three, deal-filled shopping days of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Stores open early and close late, inboxes are filled with advertisements, “doorbusters” are hunted, and holiday shopping is in full effect.

Then after these three days of gift-buying, we are encouraged to give back to the community with Giving Tuesday.  Now in its fourth year, Giving Tuesday (the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving) is a global day of giving; a day for charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world to come together to celebrate generosity and philanthropy.  Fueled by the power of social media, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

This year, in honor of Giving Tuesday, Frazer Consultants’ employees were asked to select their favorite charity and to explain why this charity is important to them.  Frazer Consultants intends to make a donation to each charity in the employee’s name. We hope this inspires you to reflect on the charities/causes that are important to you and to consider participating in Giving Tuesday as well.                 

JENNY DEWES | VIDEO PRODUCTION SPECIALIST

Chosen Charity:

Child’s Play Charity | Website

Description:

Child’s Play works with hospitals around the world to provide video games, toys, books and other fun things for children in need. You can view a hospital’s wish list and send a specific gift based on kids’ wish lists, or provide cash donations, which they use to purchase new consoles, games, and other toys for hospitals and therapy facilities, as well as domestic violence shelters.

Why Important?

“Child’s Play is my favorite charity because it helps children in a different and very specific way. I think it’s important to encourage children to play in a variety of ways to provide a sense of well-being and stability, to encourage interaction and social skills, and to help them learn in different ways with unique tools.  I appreciate that in addition to hospitals, they also help domestic violence shelters, as bringing a favorite toy or game into these children’s traumatic and unstable lives can make a huge impact.”

MIKE FRAZER | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Chosen Charity:

Blessings in a Backpack | Website

Description:

Blessings In a Backpack is a “neighbor-helping-neighbor” program that is designed to help meet the nutritional needs of children and families.  Each week, volunteers, in cooperation with school officials, distribute backpacks filled with enough non-perishable food for the weekend (six meals) to “at-risk” students.  These students are participants in the government subsidized free or reduced fee hot lunch program.  The goal of the Blessings in a Backpack program is to keep these students from going hungry on the weekends and remove barriers to academic success.

Why Important?

“I selected this charity because my wife volunteers her time to assist with the local program in our community.  I believe it is important to help others, especially children who cannot help themselves.  Without adequate food and nutrition, children face a host of consequences including: a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement.  I appreciate that 100% of the money raised goes to purchase food for the children.”

KATIE GAAB | GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chosen Charity:

Child Life Program from the American Family Children’s Hospital | Website

Description:

Supports the Child Life specialists who help children, adolescents, and families cope with the fear and anxiety associated with the medical environment and hospitalization. The goal of the Child Life program is to promote positive experiences for children and families throughout hospitalization.

Why Important?

“I think it’s important to comfort children and families who must spend time in the hospital. No one, let alone young children, should face disease and illness. A comfortable, positive environment, can help raise spirits, create happiness, and allow children and families to focus on healing without added stress.”

ADAM HOVEY | SALES CONSULTANT

Chosen Charity: 

Decorah Elks Cares

Description:

Decorah Elks Cares provides help to children in the Decorah, IA community that don’t have enough food to eat on the weekends and during breaks from school. They purchase backpacks for each of the children and fill them with semi, non-perishable food items so that they have healthy proteins and carbohydrates on the weekends and after school. They also raise money throughout the year to purchase computers for students who have been accepted to college.

Why Important?

“It is my favorite charity for a number of reasons. First, 100% of funds received go directly to making a difference for children who are not getting enough to eat. Also, additional programs help prepare them for college and teach them required skills. Lastly, my grandfather donates a significant portion of his time and money to help run this program.”

RENÉE RICHVEIS | SALES CONSULTANT

Chosen Charity:

Water.org | Website

Description:

Water.org is an international nonprofit organization that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world by providing access to safe water and sanitation.

Why Important?

“I am passionate about water.org because I feel it is essential for all people and families around the world to have access to healthy drinking water and proper sanitation. Today, 1 in 10 people lack access to safe drinking water. Beyond this, 1 in 3 people lack access to proper sanitation. As a result, every 90 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease. Water.org is providing a long term solution for success by providing world access to the natural essentials of life.”

DEENA TIMMONS | SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chosen Charity: 

Wounded Warrior Project | Website

Description:  

Wounded Warrior Project is a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, service, and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of September 11, 2001.

Why Important?

“I want to show my appreciation to all those who have served and been injured fighting for my rights.”

VANCE VLASAK | SALES CONSULTANT

Chosen Charity:

Goodman Community Center | Website

Description:

Goodman Community Center is a local nonprofit that aims to create a strong and thriving community regardless of cultural, religious, racial, gender, sexual identity, and socioeconomic differences by providing programs and services to the greater Madison, WI area.

Why Important?

“I selected Goodman Community Center because a friend of mine volunteers with the afterschool program available there for teens.  He really enjoys mentoring and working with the teens and talks to me often about the value of the program and its services.  I chose this program because I want to support something my friend is passionate about.”