2020’s #Values continue with Giving for December.
A Proclamation for December
A PROCLAMATION BY COMPASSIONATE POMONA, A CONSORTIUM OF CARING INDIVIDUALS AND AGENCIES IN THE CITY OF POMONA, PROCLAIMING DECEMBER 2020 AS “GIVING’’ MONTH IN THE CITY OF POMONA
WHEREAS, as a Compassionate Pomona—in concurrence with the Charter for Compassion which the City of Pomona proclaimed on April 2nd, 2018—we continue to focus on thoughts and actions that promote compassion and inner and outer peace; and
WHEREAS, in alignment with the goal of compassion, Compassionate Pomona has identified “Giving” as a value which supports the Charter for Compassion, particularly in the midst of the current COVID-19 epidemic; and
WHEREAS, during the month of December, as our lives have been rearranged by the worldwide pandemic, our normal holiday celebrations have been re-patterned, and giving has become more than shopping for presents; and
WHEREAS, this year, holidays cannot include in-person social gatherings and our experience of isolation and separateness can seem greater than ever – – we can focus our thoughts on giving to others by supporting non-profits, churches, and other local services through financial offerings, volunteering, and educating ourselves on how to build stronger community and common good by sharing our gifts; and
WHEREAS, COVID has taught us to rely more on social media to connect, and by using the internet we can easily select organizations to support and can make online donations to local organizations to help our neighbors who are suffering from direct and indirect impacts of COVID; and
WHEREAS, giving and generosity toward those in most need promotes feelings of compassion, community, trust, and cooperation which strengthens our ties to those around us; and
WHEREAS, research suggests that giving money to someone else lifts our feelings of happiness more than spending money on ourselves, and philanthropy and charitable giving of all kinds can result in health benefits such as decreased stress, lower blood pressure, and increased self-esteem; and
WHEREAS, Compassionate Pomona encourages all Pomonans to embrace “Giving” through intention and action and to use “#valuesPomona” to share this movement on social media, thus integrating “Giving” into this holiday season.
NOW, THEREFORE, COMPASSIONATE POMONA does hereby proclaim the month of December 2020 as the month of