This year I’m creating a Holiday Impact List – not just a Holiday Wish List. And this one’s not about me. It’s about the women in my own community and even those around the world who I’ve never even met and probably never will.
To learn more, listen in to Episode 37 today!
So today I thought I’d share with you my own Holiday Impact List.
And in case you think one person can’t make an impact, then you should definitely check out The Starfish Story.
Because while we can’t save everyone – but we can make a difference in at least one life this holiday season.
And that’s what I’m aiming to do with my Holiday Impact List.
Let me first say that as a woman of privilege and a white settler here in Canada, it’s easy to swoop in and act like a superhero in another woman’s life when sometimes that can just end up making her feel small.
So when it comes to helping others, I want to intentionally show up as a partner rather than a protector, if that makes sense.
And for me, that means taking a variety of approaches to making an impact this holiday season.
So here are the ways I’ll be working to address some of these issues this Christmas season in my own small way.
First, I’ll be making a donation to my local women’s shelter. It’s a cause I’ve supported throughout the pandemic especially in light of the fact according to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, a female in Canada is killed approximately every six days by her intimate partner.
And if you’re experiencing domestic violence or you know someone who is, please visit www.sheltersafe.ca to locate the shelter nearest you. And if you or are a loved one are in immeidate danger, never hesitate to call 911 or your country’s emergency hotline.
Second, I’ll be picking up a few extras when I’m at the grocery store – things like non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and some infant/toddler items as well. And I should mention that food donations aren’t only needed during the holidays. Let’s remember that once the tree is put away and the glow of the season is behind us, people are still going hungry every day in our community. And we can all do our part.
A fourth focus of my Holiday Impact List this season is women who are building businesses overseas. One of the organizations I’ve come across recently is Opportunity International. I’ve donated to this charity before and I’ll be making a gift again this season, because I recognize that not every country has strong programs in place to support women-owned businesses. I love that Opportunity International focuses on supporting women who are launching or growing their own small businesses in countries that are hardest hit by poverty.
We can’t save the world. But we can impact one life at a time.