Today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that follows Thanksgiving and Black Friday and kicks off the charitable season in the United States. This year, WTIA did its part by working with local non-profit Operation Sack Lunch to distribute snack bags to those in need of food assistance in Seattle. Yesterday we packed over 100 bags of fruit, juice boxes, granola bars, and other healthy snacks that are being distributed by OSL today.

I proposed and organized this initiative for WTIA, and chose to partner with OSL because its mission resonated with me.  I grew up in a lower-middle class family in Malaysia, and was raised to believe that it’s not how much we have that matters, but rather how much we share with those who are in need. OSL believes that each person can make a difference by taking action to provide dignity, care, and compassion to those who need it most. I was so inspired by the non-profit that I also had UniquelyHR, a WTIA member that I intern for, partner with them for Giving Tuesday as well.

The initiative was also a good way for WTIA staff to come together for a non-work-related cause. We had an assembly line with people shouting “More bananas! I need more bananas!” which is something you don’t hear very often in our office. It was a wonderful experience to work as a team where everyone, from interns to our CEO, rolled up their sleeves for philanthropy.  My hope is that Giving Tuesday will be a tradition at WTIA for years to come.