In the same way that holiday shoppers have a big day at brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday and then do the same today with Cyber Monday, there’s also the lesser-known Giving Tuesday, which is tomorrow.
The day, celebrated internationally in more than 80 countries, is recognizing its 12th year, having started in New York in 2012 but with roots that go back to a movement that was in partnership with the United Nations Foundation.
With so much attention given to retail sales this time of year, it’s not a surprise that nonprofits threw their hands into the air to attract a bit of attention, given that they, in their efforts to better mankind, likely come closer to fulfilling the spirit of the holidays than, say, someone buying a can of pecans for their uncle, etc. Not that there’s anything wrong with a can of pecans or present-buying in general.
The “generosity movement,” as it is sometimes referred to, saw more than $3 billion donated in the United States to charities last year.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
You might be thinking that your contribution wouldn’t amount to much, but you would be wrong in that many of the donations that add up to those billions of dollars were small-dollar amounts.
So now that you’ve made it through nom nom nom Thanksgiving and the special buying days of Friday and today, perhaps you could show some love to a nonprofit that is near and dear to your heart.
A fine place to start would be the United Way of Southeast Arkansas, which amounts to one-stop shopping for a couple of dozen nonprofits in the area that feed and clothe people and look out for the young and vulnerable, etc. The agency is in the middle of its annual fundraiser and would be happy to set you up with a donation of any sort.
But there is a world of nonprofits out there, all doing good work and needing financial assistance. The Arkansas Community Foundation comes to mind, as well as the Humane Society, public radio and television stations, food banks, museums and arts entities. Of course the list can become encyclopedic, all depending on what suits your fancy.
Nonprofits are rarely flush with cash and have trained themselves to make the most of a dollar. So an extra one from you likely goes a long, long way.
As one person said on a social media page: “I may not be famous. I don’t have a million dollars, but I can help change lives on Giving Tuesday.”
Yes, you absolutely can.