I know you’ve heard it before.
IT’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!
And you roll your eyes thinking, how can anyone even be thinking of Christmas when I’m spending my days soaking up the sun looking for the next opportunity to sink my toes in the sand?
It’s summer and after the eternal winter we all just experienced, we’re still thinking like Olaf. And we’re still hoping to see what happens to solid water when it gets warm.
So what’s the deal with Christmas in July?
Christmas is undeniably the season of giving. We give presents to friends, family, teachers, and even postal workers (personally, we give to our UPS guy because he seems to come to my house every other day). And more importantly, we give to our favorite charities. I once heard a statistic that said that charities raise 70% of their funds during the last 30 days of the year. We open up our hearts and wallets and charities breathe a sigh of relief that they’ve made it to another year.
So what if we could capture that spirit of giving in July and make a difference to a charity right now?
Balsam Hill™, a maker of fine Christmas decor, came to me with their idea of a Christmas in July program. It was as simple as this: I get to pick a charitable organization near and dear to my heart and raise funds for the next two weeks for this organization. And for every dollar I raise, up to $1000, Balsam Hill will match the funds to my charity.
And guess what I get in return? A BIG BASKET OF FEELGOOD!
My charity of choice is the Humane Society of the United States.
Anyone who’s ever visited my blog knows I’m not only a huge animal lover but I’m also a big advocate for the humane treatment of animals.
But why HSUS?
With charities, it’s sometimes difficult to discern between those that talk the talk and those that walk the walk. While I try to open my checkbook when I can, I have a strong affinity for charities that want more than just your donation. With my chosen charity, The Humane Society of the United States, I’ve been able to have firsthand experience with my state legislators lobbying for bills I believe in that will help improve the lives of animals. They’ve helped me walk the walk.
Why not help a smaller charity?
I’m a longtime supporter of charities that benefit animal welfare at both the local and national level. In fact, all my pets are “secondhand” pets. While I thought about contributing directly at the local level, I wanted a cause that every animal lover could relate to. The Humane Society of the United States not only works on immediate action, especially where local charities don’t have the resources, but they also work on long-term change through legislative action.
Why animals instead of people?
There are so many charities that, sometimes, saying yes to one feels like saying no to the others. But my passion for animals in particular comes from the fact that they ask nothing from us and give so much in return. We are their voice!
Balsam Hill provided me these ornaments and offered them to those who helped support this campaign. They are gorgeous. But don’t take it from me. Just look at what my pets think of the ornaments.
Beamer seemed… amused.
Roscoe seemed… bemused.
And Josie seemed… a bit disinterested.
7 comments
I truly hope you will reconsider HSUS as a charity. They are not as they give less than 2% of their funds per year to actual animals or shelters. Instead they fund lawyers, lawsuits and go after reputable business in the US.
I can’t imagine that you support their tactics. In fact as one of my favorite bloggers I truly hope you do not. Your local animal shelter would be a much better organization.
Hi Julie, I work at the Humane Society of the United States, and wanted to clarify some of misinformation posted above. In 2013, we spent 81% of our funds on program expenses. These programs range from our work to stop puppy mills to ending egregious wildlife abuse. We helped to pass over 100 animal protection laws, and provide direct care for more than 100,000 animals.
As for lawyers, our animal protection litigation department is one of the many approaches we utilize to help animals. I’d encourage you to read this blog by our CEO about the victories they’ve had: http://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2014/04/hsus-legal-team.html
As for HumaneWatch, it’s just one of many front groups run by the absurdly named Center for Consumer Freedom, which began with a grant from big tobacco, and represents the interest of big agribusiness among others.
Thank you for responding, Sarah. Keep ruffling feathers to make a difference in the lives of animals!
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I actually wholeheartedly endorse HSUS which is why they were my chosen charity. I’ve worked with them for many years in both North Carolin and Maryland. While I support local animal organizations as well, change DOES need to happen at the legislative level. If I am one of your favorite bloggers, then you’ll know my dog Emma’s story of being a puppy mill breeder in NC. She was one of the lucky ones who was rescued but not until after the damage was done. I’ve personally lobbied on behalf of HSUS for bills such as those that would require much needed regulation to the pet breeding industry.
Thanks Fadra for clarifying your stance. I work for a large veterinary practice which is why I responded. I wholeheartedly support shitting down irresponsible businesses and working with businesses for the protection of animals. As you lobby for HSUS I won’t post more links, I will say that unfortunately I disagree with them and their business practices and I wish you well in your endeavors. I give locally to our animal shelters and work with our veterinary practice to support homeless animals. I encourage others to do the same.
Shutting oh my sorry for the misspelling! Oops!
Hi Fadra!
Absolutely love this! What a wonderful thing you’re doing. I agree that we have to stand up for animals and that we are their voice. They provide us with so much companionship and warmth in this world that it’s only right that we stand beside them and fight for their rights and privileges. Thank you for inspiring us and for speaking out on this important subject!
– Dagmar