Before I [Kristin Cooper] became first lady of North Carolina, I have been an advocate for children. I served as a Guardian Ad Litem for the past 14 years and am delighted that my last adoption is on the cusp of being finalized.

Being involved with the foster care system opened my eyes to the myriad issues that threaten the safety and stability of families and children. I want to use my platform to attack some of the big issues that prevent children from thriving - reducing childhood hunger, putting more books into the hands of kids, preventing abuse and neglect, increasing access to the arts, and encouraging playing and exploring outdoors. The more I considered the challenges facing foster children and families in poverty, the more I realized how vital it is to explore the integrated nature of all the issues I wanted to address.

On this Giving Tuesday, I urge you to learn more about the organizations my office has been working with to support the health and well-being of children. Volunteer, donate money, be a champion for a cause, use your voice, exercise your talents.

Read the full article by Kristin Cooper about Giving Tuesday initiatives