Tis The Season: How Influencers Give Back to Their Communities
It’s that time of the year where we gather together with our loved ones and think about all of the things we are grateful for. With the season focused on giving and community, we asked a few of our influencers what their favorite cause is, why it’s important to them, and about the role of influencers in making a positive community impact. Here is what they had to say.
Pictured left: Soni, her friend Natalie and Carmen, who helped run the operation for The Legacy Center.
Soni WithanEye
During the holidays, influencer, artist, and DJ Soni likes to get involved with various types of community organizations. This Thanksgiving, she’s collaborating with The Legacy Center which is serving 600 families turkeys and canned goods in two New York locations. They are also throwing block parties with activities for the children in both locations. Additionally, they’ll be hosting an event in Maria Hernandez Park to feed the homeless a Thanksgiving meal and are offering other fun activities at the park. Follow The Legacy Center on Instagram.
After Thanksgiving, Soni plans on meeting up with a few activists and humanitarians including Power Malu, of Overthrow New York, and Richard "Crazy Legs" Colon, of Rock Steady Crew Festival, in efforts to continue to fundraise and help aid the reconstruction of Puerto Rico with its current state following the past environmental crisis, Hurricane Maria. This will include the organization of fundraising concerts, events and talk panels, which will be open to the public.
Tiff Benson
Tiff Benson, NYC influencer and founder of The Fragrance Society, loves supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation. It’s a New York nonprofit organization that supports innovative HIV prevention, education programs, direct care and support services to people living with HIV. Interested in supporting? Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Instagram.
When asked about the role of influencers positively impacting communities, Tiff thinks anyone with influence should use their power to positively impact the world.
“The role of an influencer is to influence the lives of others for the better of our people and our planet. We should all use our power of influence (even those who are not “influencers”) to positively impact the world.”
Liv Schreiber
How is NYC influencer Liv Schreiber giving back to the community this week? By feeding those who are unable to afford a turkey for their dinner tables this Thanksgiving. She’s volunteering for the Haber family, who is giving over 500 turkeys to the community for the fifth year in a row. Liv is responsible for helping people picking up turkeys and as well as delivering them to others who are home-bound. “Have you ever thought about the families who can’t put a turkey on the table?” she asks, “It’s the little things.”
“As influencers, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. We are somebody’s role model, the person that someone thinks of when they go to look in the mirror, when they head to buy a product.. why shouldn’t we also be the people who encourage others to give, to spread love, to show kindness?
We must show our goodness, our hearts, our philanthropic efforts- to our followers. Teach the young girls who look up to you that it is cool to help others. Show your peers and influencer friends that there is power in giving. Fashionable and charitable? YES, please!
By spreading positivity and helping others, we can all play a bigger part in making this world a better place than we found it. And isn’t it awesome that we have the platform to do so? It’s up to us to post that encouraging message. All it takes is one click.”
Kyleigh McCollam
As we enter into the season of giving and community, Palm Beach-based influencer, Kyleigh McCollam, believes it is important to remember that every day is a new opportunity to make a difference. A cause that is near and dear to her heart is Operation Underground Railroad, a non-profit that helps rescue victims, especially children, from human trafficking. Another non-profit that I support is Feeding America, the United States' largest domestic hunger-relief organization that provided a record 4.3 billion meals in 2018.
“In a time where social media has a tremendous impact on our daily lives, thoughts, and opinions, it is our responsibility as influencers and those in positions of leadership to use our platforms to create positive, lasting change.”