What did we do for Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Absolutely nothing. While others flooded the malls over Thanksgiving weekend, Sierra Club Angeles Chapter volunteers took the opportunity to give back to the environment at a habitat restoration event in Malibu Lagoon on Nov. 30. It also was the Chapter's way of raising awareness for #GivingTuesday, the national day of giving, on Dec. 3 and supporting the local environment.
“Events like the Malibu Lagoon restoration highlight the importance of philanthropy," said Jennifer Robinson, acting co-director of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter. The Chapter has been giving back to communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties through similar environmental protections and habitat restoration for over 100 years. #GivingTuesday provides a day to promote the true spirit of giving this holiday season, and an opportunity for us to encourage donations to help us raise funds to support our efforts to preserve and protect the local environment.”
The philanthropic day was created to transform how people think about and participate in the giving season.
“#GivingTuesday is a counter-narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism,” said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation. “The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world.”
Photo caption: Angeles Chapter volunteers work to repair a berm at Malibu Lagoon over Thanksgiving weekend. Credit: Jennifer Robinson