Non-profits are hoping you’ll divert a little money from your holiday shopping to help them out today (12/2). It’s #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back.
Nigel Holderby is director of the Red Cross, Greater Ozarks Chapter.
"Being a part of the non-profit community with the American Red Cross, we really see Giving Tuesday as an opportunity to talk about some of the ways that, not only are we giving to others, but people can help support that giving," she said.
She said, this year they’re partnering with Helping Hats for Giving Tuesday. It’s a fundraising program started by a local teen, 15-year-old Sophia Greenwalt. Each month she chooses a different charity to benefit from her fundraising efforts. This month, it’s the Red Cross. Learn more about Helping Hats here.
#GivingTuesday was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. Today more than 10,000 organizations are involved.
According to its website, “in the same way that “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” are intended to launch the holiday shopping season, Giving Tuesday is a movement intended to achieve the same results for charity.”
Holderby said, it’s a chance to hopefully get money for their efforts but also.
"We really promote it as a way that we say thank you for people who do give and then also ask people to remember that this is a great opportunity to use some of those savings, maybe, from Cyber Monday, Black Friday and--to maybe look at how can you give back to people who are giving in your community," she said.
There are many non-profit organizations that you can choose to donate to today. You can find a list of those in this area at thelibrary.org. Click on Library Services, then click on More on the drop-down box, and click on Directory. The directory is also available in print or on a cd from the Springfield-Greene County Library District.
