On November 15, we celebrate:

• Philanthropy Day

This most generous of holidays was founded to promote and celebrate giving in all its forms.The festival is also a grassroots movement to praise and encourage kindness wherever it occurs. The aim of the celebration is actually twofold – to raise awareness of the importance of philanthropy, and encourage those not already involved to throw themselves into volunteer and charity work, and to acknowledge the efforts of those who already work to help their fellow humans, and deserve to be celebrated. Nobody has to be a philanthropist, but many choose to be, and make a world of difference in the world.

The History of Philanthropy Day

The concept was originally thought up and then organized by Douglas Freeman in the 1980s. The first National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon was held in cities across the country in 1986, after President Ronald Reagan proclaimed November 15 as National Philanthropy Day. President Ronald Reagan was the first world leader to declare an official Philanthropy Day, to celebrate ‘the love of humankind’. Every year since then, communities across the globe have celebrated by hosting events to recognize activities of donors, volunteers, foundations, leaders, corporations, and others engaged in philanthropy.

How to celebrate National Philanthropy Day

There is no one correct way to celebrate National Philanthropy Day, as everyone helps people indifferent ways. Bill Gates for one seems to have been celebrating this holiday every day of his life for the past few years, since the creation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. However, most people in the world are not nearly as vastly wealthy as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or the like, and therefore can find other, smaller ways to help others–even s mall donation or kind gesture on our part can mean the world to someone who is, for example, suffering from a serious illness in poverty. There are many ways to participate in celebration of this great holiday, and as with Bill Gates, it is best when we do not help others only one day a year. Philanthropy means the act of loving humankind, and everyone knows that love can be expressed in a number of ways. So find a charity with a cause you care deeply about, be it one that feeds hungry children, or one that helps people suffering from a certain disease. Maybe someone in your family was taken too young by a sickness you would like to see defeated once and for all? Or maybe you feel that there is not enough awareness about LGBT youth’s struggles with bullying in schools and just want other people to notice the problem and take it seriously? No matter whether your gesture is helping to collect food for Christmas packages for the poor, collecting money to help feed the ever-increasing number of animals in animal shelters, raising money for extra new books to be bought at your local public school, or just spending a little time every now and the with elderly people in nursing homes who do not have any relatives to keep them company, you can be certain that you gesture will be appreciated greatly by those you help, even if your actions or the sum of money you donate doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to you. Any way you decide to do it, celebrate by helping others and making a difference!

• Guinness World Record Day

Record breaking attempts that are especially visual can be chosen for filming for this years Guinness World Record Day newsreel and shown world-wide. Pictures of attempts can also be sent into the Guinness World Record and may be used for publicity on the website or even included in next years book. In both 2009 and 2010, more than 300,000 people took part in attempting to break more than 50 different records.

• I Love to Write Day

I Love to Write day was founded by author John Riddle, a non-fiction and self-help writer, to get kids writing in schools and encourage adults to rekindle an old dream.

I Love to Write Day is celebrated by many different organisations – schools, community halls, churches, and even shopping centres. It covers all genres, from novels to poetry to writing in to your local newspaper with a point you’ve always wanted to make but never found time for before. The aim is to get people to sit down and put something on paper or on a computer, however short and in whatever style, kick-starting their writing and giving them confidence through being part of a global movement.

You can participate by writing something down, and encouraging your friends and family to do the same. Consider holding a writing and reading party with your friends, giving books as gifts, or donating to a local reading or writing scheme as part of your celebration.

• Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day

Although it has been rumored that Clean Your Refrigerator Day was started by the Whirlpool Corporation, the origin of this event is lost in the mists of time. The day is a great reminder though, that, to function effectively, our kitchen appliances should be cleaned out once in a while.

Refrigerators can be one of those kitchen appliances that are taken for granted. They keep food cool and prevent it from spoiling. We only notice them when they fail to work or if a foul smell starts emanating from the interior every time we open the door. Food we bought weeks ago can be lurking in the back, uneaten.

So, don your rubber gloves, fill that bucket with warm water and get cleaning. It won’t take long. In fact, a couple of hours will probably do it. The ‘fridge doesn’t even have to be turned off. You’ll thank yourself later.