For many people in the U.S., Thanksgiving marks the first day of the holiday season. While that Thursday is spent enjoying a delicious meal with family and friends, the days and weeks after are a special time for spreading holiday cheer and giving back to the people we care about most. And that’s what Giving Tuesday is all about.
The Global Day of Giving
What Is Giving Tuesday?
In the spirit of giving, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season by encouraging people to donate their time, money, and resources to organizations serving their communities. With support from influencers and leadership partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Giving Tuesday has helped reach thousands of philanthropic organizations around the world. In 2017, more than 50 countries participated in Giving Tuesday and more than $300 million was raised online.
When Is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday was first started back in 2012. It’s not a federal holiday, but it’s considered to be in the same family as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In fact, Giving Tuesday actually takes place the day after Cyber Monday. This year, the global day of giving falls on November 27th, 2018.
How Can I Participate in Giving Tuesday?
One small act of kindness goes a long way. If everyone makes a donation on Giving Tuesday, no matter how small, we can start to see a ripple effect that incites real change. You can be a part of that. On November 27th, think about challenges facing your own community. Are there certain populations who need help? What causes do you care about? If you’re not familiar with the nonprofits in the Raleigh area, you can find a list over on the Giving Tuesday website.
To help, consider volunteering at a local soup kitchen or donating money. You can also spread awareness and get your friends and family involved by sharing #GivingTuesday on social media.
CASA Celebrates Giving Tuesday
If you would like to support CASA and help solve homelessness in the Raleigh-Durham area, you can sign up to be a volunteer for Giving Tuesday. If you’re unable to volunteer, you can also make a donation here.