Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with your loved ones and give thanks for everything good in your life. However, it also provides the opportunity to take actions of “Thanks” and “Giving” and do something for the causes that move you. From food insecurity to unemployment, from homelessness to health problems, there are difficult challenges that affect people. Many struggle to just get through each day. Therefore, let’s use this holiday to move us to make everyone’s journey through life a little easier.
Please join NorthStar Moving in spreading gratitude and joy this Thanksgiving – and all the way to “Giving Tuesday.” Or perhaps set up recurring monthly charitable contributions to keep “Thanks” and “Giving” going throughout the year.
Here are some of the non-profit organizations that move us with their good work. We are proud to support them. Moreover, we are thankful for all of the amazing work they do to give folks a hands up. Join us in lifting them up with donations and/or by volunteering.
Claire’s Place Foundation
For Claire Wineland, being diagnosed at birth with cystic fibrosis meant a life of painful medical treatments, multiple hospital stays, and probable premature death. You may know Claire as this blog’s very own Snap Greene. At 14 years old, Claire founded Claire’s Place Foundation to help children and families affected by cystic fibrosis. Her passing in 2018 at just 21 years old overwhelmed us with sadness. She suffered a stroke after undergoing a successful double-lung transplant. To continue her legacy and help carry on Claire’s life’s work, her family requests that donations be made to Claire’s Place Foundation.
Habitat For Humanity® 
Regardless of race or religion, people who are in need of decent housing are the focus of Habitat For Humanity. Habitat For Humanity welcomes supporters from all backgrounds; individuals and companies who want donate used building materials, or those who wish to volunteer. Tax-deductible donations can also be made.
Make-A-Wish®
With the goal to enrich the human spirit with hope, strength and joy, Make-A-Wish LA grants the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions. Since it began in 1983, the Greater Los Angeles chapter has fulfilled over 8,000 wishes. To support Make-A-Wish, sign up to volunteer and/or make a financial donation.
Miry’s List
Miry Whitehill-Ben founded Miry’s List to make a difference in the lives of those who seek refuge in the United States. Miry aptly uses the term “recent arrivals” because they are no longer escaping, they have now arrived home. She also crowdsources donated supplies for recent arrived families to help them create new homes and rebuild their lives. Furthermore, financial donations are also accepted.
Move For Hunger
More than 1.7 million people living in Los Angeles County are at risk for hunger every day; 40% of those in need are children. Move For Hunger works with moving companies across the country to support the efforts of local food banks. In the last seven years, Move for Hunger’s network of movers, realtors and corporate housing providers have delivered 7 million pounds of food. In addition, monetary donations can also be made to Move For Hunger.
Shane’s Inspiration
Founded in 1998, Shane’s Inspiration memorializes Shane Alexander Williams, born in 1997 with spinal muscular atrophy and only survived two weeks. To pay tribute to their son’s short life, Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams, along with their good friend Tiffany Harris, created a universally accessible, all-inclusive playground which allows children with disabilities to play alongside other children. The first playground opened in 2000 at L.A.’s Griffith Park. As of March 2018, Shane’s Inspiration celebrated 20 years as a global leader in creating numerous inclusive playgrounds and educational programs for children with disabilities. To support Shane’s Inspiration, sign up to become a volunteer. You can also make a one-time or monthly financial donation, an Honor or Memorial Gift, or a Planned Gift.
Overall, just remember that giving “Thanks” and “giving” goes a long way. You can support the non-profit organizations listed above. Or show your favorite charity some love; let them know you’re thankful for their good work. All that you put out into the world – it moves, eventually, back to you.
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