The day after Thanksgiving is thought to be the biggest shopping day of the year. The term “Black Friday” comes from a time when the boost in sales helped businesses move from being in the “red” to being in the “black,” or achieving profitability.
Black Friday is the kick off to holiday shopping. Consumerism runs rampant this time of year, and it is difficult to remember why we are celebrating the holidays in the first place.
Stores opened as early as Thanksgiving Day, setting off a barrage of criticism from workers who wanted, justifiably to spend the time with their families.
Black Friday has spawned other shopping days, such as Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.
In an effort to step back and embrace the true meaning of the season, Giving Tuesday has been created to encourage people to give to others in need.
Statistics show that in 2011, the average shopper spent almost $400 on Black Friday, with almost 25% of them hitting the stores by midnight. What if just a small amount of that money was spent on giving back to their communities?
Today, I ask each of you to think about what you are grateful for, and find a way to express that gratitude by donating time or money to a worthy cause.
As for myself, I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to help me raise money for the treatment of rare cancers through Cycle for Survival. Each year, I ride in a charity indoor cycling event, which has raised over $18 million dollars for the research and development of treatment protocols to aid those suffering from rare forms of cancer. A friend of mine, Jennifer Goodman Linn, whose 7-year battle with cancer ended just over a year ago, founded it. She was an inspiration to everyone whose life she touched, and her legacy has helped fund over 53 clinical trials at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital.
Please click the link below to donate to my team, Shari’s Spinners to help us find a cure for this devastating disease.
If you are in New York City, and would like to join the team, or would like to form a satellite team in your town, please contact me directly at indigojonesnyc@gmail.com for more information.
I am thankful that I am able to do something I enjoy and truly make a difference in the lives of others. What will you do to give back today?
photo:Glasshouse Images
Tags: black Friday, charity, consumerism, Cyber Monday, cycle for survival, gifts, Giving Tuesday, jennifer goodman linn, Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital, rare cancers, shopping, studio cycling
Indigo jones 
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