The very first #GivingTuesday might seem far off. It’s not until after Thanksgiving, after all!

But as we all know, time is a funny thing, and November 27th will be here before we all know it. So it’s a good idea to plan your #GivingTuesday involvement now. If you like the concept of #GivingTuesday, start planning your involvement. Determine exactly how YOU will start the giving season early.

So to help you along and kick you into action mode, here are five inspiring giving stories:

1. Over memorial day, 9-year-old Jordan Freer swam 1.5 miles from Alcatraz to San Francisco to raise money for Nothing But Nets. The young swimmer raised more than $3,000 to supply woman and children with bed nets to prevent malaria. Talk about starting ‘em young!

2. Remember Karen Klein, the bus monitor who was caught on video while being mercilessly taunted by school kids? Luckily the story didn’t end there. An internet campaign raised more than $700,000 for Klein to take a dream vacation. Klein decided to retire with the money and start an anti-bullying foundation.

3. There’s nothing like a random act of kindness! An Indianapolis woman in her mid-40s paid layaway orders for as many as 50 people in a Kmart store during last year’s holiday season. An assistant manager at the store in Indianapolis said the donor said she did it in memory of her husband who had just passed way.

4. What would you do if you happened to stumble upon $4,000 in cash? If no one was watching, would you make sure it reached its rightful owner? Abbie Jacobson, an 8-year-old from Maine, turned it into the police. Turns out the cash belonged to Cambodian immigrants who had been saving the money for a trip back to their home country. As for Abbie, she got to attend a sold-out Justin Bieber concert after her good deed received some attention in the local press!

5. Aaron Collins died young, but an unusual request in his will is helping his legacy live way beyond his 30 years. Aaron asked his family and friends to leave an “awesome tip” for a server at a restaurant. Now the website “Aaron’s Wish” has raised more than $50,000 and given 105 waiters and waitresses the tip of a lifetime. Take a look at one waitress’ reaction when she received a $500 tip:

 

Want more inspiration? Stay tuned — we will highlight fabulous giving stories on this blog!