These are a few of my favorite things…

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2015 - Xmas Ideas

I’m not sure about you, but I always seem to find myself doing my holiday gift shopping in the final days of December; maybe it’s a New York phenomenon, everyone finds themselves busy wrapping up the loose ends at work, between parties and social engagements.

Finding the “perfect” gift for family and friends can be a highly stressful and expensive proposition. I have selected some items in the market place that are unlikely to be re-gifted or given away to charity right after the holiday madness is over.

These items resonate for me in how they can impact people’s lives, in the normal course of their days, where the impact may truly belie the cost.

And with the money you have left over I have two recommendations on two charities to make a difference in the world – a great gift to everyone – rather than contributing to the local land fill…

(more…)

The Season of Giving – and a Girl Named Dasani

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2013 - Poverty - 5 - Article

 Photo Credit The New York Times

In an effort to help my daughter appreciate the opportunities in her life, I am forever seeking ways to educate her about the challenges that so many people, especially children, experience outside of her own privileged existence.

Last week Andrea Elliott gave me and many other New Yorkers a reality check with a five-part series of articles in the New York Times entitled  “The Invisible Child”. It drove home the importance of philanthropy and helping others.

So this past weekend my daughter and I decided together, in this season of giving, how we should allocate funds to a short list of charities focusing on children and their families.

(more…)