One of my favorite things in all of life is giving. I’m convinced it’s one of the healthiest things we can do as people and I believe it is the secret sauce to living a joyful life. Within my business and personal life, I’m committed to giving consistently, with my time AND with my money, to those in need. Sometimes I get a tax donation and sometimes I don’t. It doesn’t really matter. The most important thing, I believe, is that I give. 

When my hubby and I sold a company several years ago that we had built for 22 years, the first thing I wanted to do was to give at least 10% of it to different charities. It was fun thinking of ways that we could give, who we would give it to, and how much we would give to each charity. I found programs in all six populated continents that we could give to. I would have given to the continent of Antarctica, but my hubby was not about giving to the penguins, lol!

I first learned about giving as a member of a church where tithing 10% of your income was encouraged from a Biblical perspective. And I loved reading about giving when I studied financial success with Dave Ramsey and other financial authors. 

I want to share with you several amazing groups that I love giving to. They are all non-profit 501(c)(3) entities so if you are looking for a way to give and need or want a tax deduction, here you go! 

HOPE worldwide

My husband and I have been giving annual donations to HOPE worldwide since their inception in 1991. We have volunteered with local programs in Dallas, I’ve been to La Paz, Bolivia where I visited a hospital created by HOPE worldwide for their community, I’ve had many friends who have worked full time with HOPE worldwide all over the world, and my husband and I have donated financially when we sold a company to programs in six of the seven continents. Like their name implies, they are an international charity. They oversee community based services to the materially poor and needy. They are an organization “dedicated to serving, teaching, healing and loving communities made vulnerable due to poverty, disease or disasters.” 

You can probably see that I love what HOPE worldwide does and what it stands for. If you are interested in learning more about this non-profit, you can check them out at hopeww.org

The Big Silence

For several years now, as a mental health professional, I have been wanting to donate to a group that was specifically passionate about mental health. In September 2021, when I heard that Karena Dawn, the co-founder of the incredible women’s fitness community Tone It Up, was starting a non-profit to provide mental health resources to those in need, my heart was stirred to make a financial donation. With that donation, I introduced myself and my private practice to The Big Silence and have been blessed to take a more active role with this amazing group, located in Austin, Texas. I’ve been able to attend and participate in several events, and just recently was asked to be a member on their board.

The Big Silence is dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and providing resources to anyone directly or indirectly impacted by mental illness. If you would like to participate in any of their events or make a financial donation, please check them out at www.thebigsilence.com.

Any Step Community Services

Sydney Diggs, the founder of Any Step Community Services has an incredible heart for senior adults in the North Texas area. My husband and I know Sydney and her husband, Sherman, personally and when we first heard about the non-profit that Sydney created, we wanted to help support her mission.

Any Step Community Services is a food pantry service, but not just any food pantry service. Their team includes a licensed/certified dietician and a certified nutritionist/health coach. Sydney and her team have created a specific food list that is as equally thoughtful as it is nutritious, along with nutritional recipes that help the recipient prepare their meals with optimal health in mind.

If you would like to donate your time, food items, hygiene items, or make a financial donation to this extraordinary non-profit, you can contact Sydney and her team at www.anystepcommunity.com

I’m a big believer that we’re better together. We need each other not only to survive, but also to thrive. That’s why I’m committed to giving over 10% of my earnings as a counselor to charities and foundations who provide mental health resources, nutrition, and support to communities, families, and individuals worldwide. I want you to know that when you prioritize your mental health, you help heal the stigma around mental health and offer hope to others who may be hurting in your family and community. You are a light and it begins with us. As we heal, we also create safe spaces for others to heal as well.

With love,
~Debbie~