This St. Patrick’s Day, Be Good As Well as Green

Americans are renowned for needing little excuse to call it a holiday. But today, St. Patrick’s Day, is not a little excuse (says one-quarter of my blood, but two-thirds of my spirit). Admittedly this post is a bit cheeky, but no matter. I’m using today as an opportunity/excuse/reminder to do something good.  I’ve decided to donate twice as much as I spend on beer today (and remember, I’m Irish) to charity : water.

I know this act is small, but it’s the idea of using a certain action or day to trigger an act of goodwill that I’m after.  A lot of small is really good.

WhatGives has a nice list of some fundraisers across the country, but you can also Google St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser [your city].

I leave you with an Irish translation of words I think about several times throughout the week:

Bí ar an athrú is mian leat a fheiceáil ar fud an domhain! Or, in Gandhi’s words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

UPDATE: I spent St. Patrick’s Day in a hostel in a national park in Chilean Patagonia and drank red wine instead of green beer. My consumption was inexpensive. I’ve decided on a $35 donation (representative of twice a normal tab for St. Patty’s Day) to charity: water’s UNSHAKEN campaign to directly fund water projects in 11 Haitian areas. I’m extra happy to make this donation on World Water Day (March 22).