Classy Awards Wrap-Up!

Re-writing this post because the first one was lost when my browser crashed, so I may not remember everything from the first draft. :(

This past weekend I attended the 3rd Annual Classy Awards in San Diego and I’ve returned to Chicago with an energized sense of duty and purpose. Being in the room with so many talented, intelligent, driven, and giving people who are inspiring and creating good in the world, is overwhelmingly invigorating. I was moved emotionally by hearing the stories and impact made by the other nominees, speakers, and organizations being featured.

Living Philanthropic had the honor of being a Top 10 nominee for Volunteer of Year, which is an amazing category filled with so many amazing people. As I said in an interview with Metromix San Diego, “Each nominee is only a small representation of all the awe inspiring work being done by millions of volunteers across the U.S and they all deserve a little recognition.”

The award went to Troy Yocum of Hike for the Heroes! Interestingly enough, I donated to Troy and his mission back in October of 2010 on Day 162 of Living Philanthropic. Troy and his efforts support Wish Upon a Hero! When I saw he was nominated, I knew he was going to win. What he accomplished is nothing short of amazing. I salute you, buddy, you are amazing! Congratulations!

Looking around the room at all the other Top Ten nominees, I was proud to see a few other Living Philanthropic featured charities who made the top ten! Including another winner for Most Creative Fundraiser, Alex’s Lemonade, which was Day 131 and the first featured charity of the month on Living Philanthropic! Others included Wish Upon a Wedding (Day 145), Keep a Breast (Day 99), and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (Day 250).

This was truly an incredible experience and honor. Thank you to the Stay Classy staff (especially Tori, Mike, & Julie) and the sponsors for acknowledging the work and efforts of organizations and individuals who are making our world a better place. You rock!

Classy Awards Tonight

Tonight at the Classy Awards at the San Diego Civic Theatre, presented by Stay Classy and Southwest Airlines. I am honored that Living Philanthropic was recognized as a top 10 nominee for Volunteer of the Year, it’s been an amazing year and a half. I am so thankful for all the support and generous people I’ve met along the way to help shine a light on the power of we have as micro-philanthropists. In a down economy, our continued contributions, no matter how small, are so very important to the organizations we support. Together we have the power to make an impact and I’m honored that we continue to do so on a daily basis.

There are so many amazing nominees for Volunteer of the Year and they are all winners for the great accomplishments they’ve made in their communities. Congratulations to all!

StayClassy: Featured Philanthropist: Carlo Garcia

stayclassy-sd:

Carlo Garcia is a micro-philanthropist. He has given to more charities in the past year than most people have even heard of. Through his project, Living Philanthropic, he’s experienced first-hand the wide array of fundraising and engagement strategies organizations are using (or not using)…

(via stayclassy-sd)

Carlo Garcia nominated for Volunteer of the Year!

Carlo Garcia and Living Philanthropic have been nominated for Volunteer of the Year at the Classy Awards in San Diego. Winning this award can help move Living Philanthropic closer towards becoming it’s own foundation and we need your help!  

Please vote for CARLO GARCIA under the category

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR at 

http://classyawards.stayclassy.org/classy-awards/voting 

click SUBMIT BALLOT and tell your friends!

ONLINE VOTING ENDS AUG 25th and the top 3 finalists in each category receive a free flight to the awards ceremony!

Thank you for the support!

More about Living Philanthropic:

Actor and Director Carlo Garcia’s grassroots philanthropic mission to inspire others by making personal donations to hundreds of different charities is moving people nationwide.

Carlo Garcia is a regular guy with an extraordinary idea. In 2010 he chronicled his campaign to donate a small amount to a different charity each day for an entire year, titling the project Living Philanthropic. The overwhelming positive response led him to try the experiment for a second time, however, this year he is focusing on giving a large donation each month to a total of 12 non-profits. Garcia stresses that even a small donation of $5-$10 can make a large difference to those in need. He personally donated around $4,000 during his 365 day mission, but over $15,000 was donated by others who had been moved by his work and contributed on their own.

Through his personal blog, Garcia has encouraged his online followers to join in by donating to the organizations or giving back in non-monetary ways such as volunteering or donating goods. In regards to the future, as Garcia himself says, as long he inspires at least one person he will consider the project a success

Please Share on Twitter and Facebook!

Please vote for @CarloLGarcia for #Volunteer of the Year @StayClassySD award! http://bit.ly/VoteCarlo #giveeveryday