Today is Giving Tuesday. It’s not nearly as well-known as Black Friday, Cyber Monday or even Small Business Saturday.
But it’s in its first year, and as WHQR’s Rachel Lewis Hilburn reports, organizers hope that it becomes just as much a holiday tradition.
In the midst of all the acquisition over the course of the holiday season, a coalition of nonprofits and businesses organized Giving Tuesday.
Autumn Mihm is Regional Director of Communications for Eastern North Carolina’s American Red Cross. She says she hopes that while people are shopping, they think about members of their community whose needs go beyond the trappings of the season.
“It’s so easy nowadays to get wrapped up in more and more stuff and all the holiday decorations and it can be overwhelming… and just to remember that there are people that are less fortunate than you that have some greater needs – especially during this time of the year.”
Mihm says people can give online, at certain store checkout counters throughout the area, or by texting. Giving Tuesday also encourages giving through volunteerism – even blood donation.
And for those social media-savvy people:
“We have a hashtag that we’re using. It’s #GivingTuesday. Please Tweet about it. Facebook post about it. Just go on and tell people what you’re doing, what organizations are doing, maybe some other charities that you support – what are they doing?”
Other Giving Tuesday partners include The Salvation Army, United Way, Goodwill, and the Autism Society of North Carolina.
How to participate in Giving Tuesday:
Verizon is matching $10 donations, up to one million dollars today, when gifts are made to the American Red Cross via text. Text REDCROSS to 90999.
Donate at the checkout counter at Sears, Kmart, or Whole Foods in Wilmington.
Give blood.
Volunteer with your favorite charity.
Visit the #GivingTuesday website for more information: givingtuesday.org
