Holiday Giving
- Cynthia Brian
- 10 minutes ago
- 6 min read
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
The holidays are a time of celebration, family, and togetherness. The heart of all the traditions, however, lies in giving from the heart and generosity towards those less fortunate. When we give, whether it is through money, time, or acts of kindness, the bonds between people are strengthened. When we give, we are reminded that compassion, empathy, and connection plant the seeds of goodwill that flourish throughout the year. We are not perfect. We are all humans in training, and as such, we are always learning how we can be and do better.
The holidays can be a time for loneliness and financial strain for many. By donating to causes that resonate with you, you can make generosity meaningful. Contributions to charities, food banks, shelters, and community programs make a tangible difference in someone’s life. Through donations, you offer hope and healing, uplifting recipients, encouraging resilience, and fostering gratitude.
Through generosity, we offer a glimmer into our souls. Even tiny gestures such as sharing a meal, volunteering, or smiling at a stranger can brighten the day of another person and create a ripple of positivity. I have often been told that I know not how many people I may be helping in one way or another. The same is true for each of us.
Donating, giving, and generosity enrich both the giver and the receiver, making this a more caring world. How will you make a difference for a cause, a person, or an organization this holiday season?
Whatever you celebrate, may you enjoy a beautiful, blessed, and bountiful festive season of light and love.
Thank you for your continued support of our work at Be the Star You Are!® 501c3.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Joyous Kwanzaa!
With gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
Generosity: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
by Shanin Shapiro
During the holidays, we often think about helping those less fortunate than ourselves. For some, it’s a time of struggle…over the loss of a loved one, with depression, loneliness. At these times, it’s hard to feel generous.
But generosity can be an act of kindness towards ourselves. Studies show acts of giving trigger the parts in our brain responsible for happiness and empathy. When we cultivate generosity, we’re not only helping others, we’re helping ourselves.
Something else happens when we give. Our one act of kindness triggers a chain reaction of generosity. We give to someone, who gives to someone, and on, and on.
What if we all acted with generosity every day? Why don’t we try it? One small act of kindness and generosity every day. Maybe hold the elevator for someone. Or make eye contact and smile. Imagine how good you’ll feel and the ripples of generosity you’ll have created!
Shanin is a volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. She lives in California with her husband and kitty. She loves hiking and reading, and credits both with keeping her healthy and young at heart!
Giving and Donating
by Gowri Kamatchi
Giving and donating are gentle ways of showing we care. In a busy world, choosing to give reminds us to slow down and notice others. Even the smallest act can make someone feel seen and supported. It can be as small as sharing a meal, passing on clothes you no longer need, or supporting a cause that matters to you.
What makes giving special isn’t how much we offer, but the heart behind it. Every act of kindness creates warmth—between neighbors, families, and even strangers. When we donate with love, we build a softer, kinder world where everyone feels a little more held.
Generosity doesn’t take away from us. It fills our days with purpose and reminds us that we’re all connected. When we give, we spread comfort, hope, and a little bit of light.
Hi readers! My name is Gowri Kamatchi. I am a content creator volunteer with Be the Star You Are!®, and I am a 16-year-old junior. I have a deep interest in global issues, journalism, storytelling, and climate policies. My hobbies are reading, running, and rollerblading!
The Power of Giving
by Cate Taylor
Generosity is one of the simplest ways to make the world better, yet its impact reaches farther than most people realize. Whether it’s donating money, offering your time, or sharing something small like a warm meal, giving reminds us that we’re all connected. When people choose to help others, they create a ripple effect—one act inspires another, and kindness spreads. Donating isn’t about the size of the gift; it’s about the intention behind it. Even small gestures can lift someone up, ease a burden, or give someone hope on a hard day. Generosity also changes the giver. It builds empathy, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. In a world that can feel fast-paced and overwhelming, choosing to give slows things down and fills life with purpose. Giving doesn’t just support others—it strengthens communities and brings out the best in all of us.
Hi, I am Cate Taylor, a teen content volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® charity. I am someone who believes in kindness and showing up for others. I find joy in helping, connecting, and making a positive impact wherever I can.
SPOONFULS OF KINDNESS
by Karen Kitchel
December is a wonderful time to scatter a little extra kindness and joy. It’s often the small, unexpected moments that stay with us. During this season, keep an eye out for those simple experiences that may become your never-to-be-forgotten memories.
Leave spoonfuls of joy wherever you can. Give a candy cane to a stranger and offer a cheerful “Merry Christmas!” And remember that gifts aren’t always things. Say a quiet prayer for the homeless person on the corner. The moments we hold closest are the ones wrapped with love.
Scatter some joy today!
Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, as a gift for every kindergarten student where she is a volunteer teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com You can read more about Karen’s adoption story in the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials To Boomers. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
“My religion is kindness.”~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama
ABOUT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fundraising events. Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON-PROFIT by Guidestar and Great Non-Profits.
Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.
OUR RADIO BROADCASTS INSPIRE AND COMMUNICATE
Every week under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® charity and produced by StarStyle® Productions, LLC, listeners are encouraged and inspired on our two international radio broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. StarStyle® is a lifestyle program bringing information and innovative ideas that will help with daily living, while Express Yourself!™ is hosted by teens, for teens, with discussions about everything and anything that interests youth today. Both programs are unedited, uncensored, and unapologetically authentic.
Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220
Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617
SUPPORT WOMEN, FAMILY, AND YOUTH THROUGH MERCH
Find well-made clothing and hats with the Be the Star You Are!® logo at https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/. Numerous colors and styles are appropriate for all ages. A percentage of the proceeds benefits Be the Star You Are!®.
BOOKS KEEP ON GIVING
A great way to support Be the Star You Are!® and give a gift that continues to give is to buy books as a donation through our portal. Check out our Book Package: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
“For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi
Wishing you a memorable and happy holiday season from all of the volunteers of Be the Star You Are!®. Make MAGIC! THANK YOU!
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/
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