Happy ThanksGIVING: Why giving should be emphasized more in this season

​Could this week get any better? From the 3-day work week to the fellowship on Thursday, this week just makes the world feel right. And then abruptly, on Friday, our world gets bombarded with the craziness of “ONE DAY ONLY” and “BUY THE ENTIRE MALL FOR ONLY $50”. (Okay, maybe that last one was a little exaggerated… or was it?)
 
As soon as Black Friday begins, the peace of this week leaves. Suddenly, this holiday takes a turn to “gimme”. How do we so quickly go from gratefulness and peace to selfishness and greed? Well, I think have the answer--give more, get less.
 
Sure, everyone needs to buy gifts and find a great deal on those gifts to afford the mounds of presents that are expected from us (at least in the USA). Black Friday and Cyber Monday help us with the effort to save a few bucks during the holiday season. However, I am convinced that we lose ourselves in the process of the third BOGO offer. Some of the most heartfelt, cherished gifts I have received or given were made or bought for under $10. It truly is the thought that counts.
 
On November 28, 2017, we will join #GivingTuesday at the ēCO Credit Union Foundation to promote giving instead of getting this holiday season. Our cause supports increasing financial education in the greater Birmingham area so that we can become better customers, givers, and citizens in the community. Everything we do reflects our cause, from giving an annual scholarship to an adult trying to further their career with higher education to going into classrooms and teaching middle schoolers the difference between a checking account and savings account. It is our mission to make certain that our donors see their money used over and over through the resources we provide, so that one day their daughter, grandson, or neighbor will be affected by our work!
 
This Thanksgiving, reflect on where your heart is when you sit down to make your Christmas list. What is the intention behind each gift? If it’s to impress that person, you likely won’t. If it’s to impress the people that will be watching, it likely won’t. Instead, what if you gave toward a cause or organization that you know will mean more to the recipient? Last year, I gifted a donation and the reaction was worth not buying the meaningless jewelry I had originally planned on.
 
Let’s make #GivingTuesday one for the books in 2017. If you would like to give to our cause to #GiveFinancialFreedom, we would love to have you join us! You can give online (eCOcuFoundation.org) or give in any ēCO Credit Union branch location. Stay tuned for an exclusive giveaway for our Giving Tuesday donors only! 

Written by: Georgia Hux