Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is observed on the Tuesday after American Thanksgiving. The day occurs at a time when people are starting their holiday shopping, and there are deals and sales in stores everywhere. Giving Tuesday reminds us to stop and think about those less fortunate, and raises awareness about the importance of doing charitable deeds and giving to those who need it the most.
Giving Tuesday is a day about community. It unites people of all backgrounds from around the world in doing something good for others, such as volunteering, donating to charity, and lifting each other's spirits during a time of year that is more difficult for some.
Background
Giving Tuesday stands in contrast to days such as Cyber Monday and Black Friday, which are days that allow stores to sell more of their products, Giving Tuesday was created to inspire and encourage people to give and do good deeds. Every year millions of dollars are raised and given to those who are less fortunate.
Giving Tuesday was then created in 2012 by the Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact, and was first celebrated on November 27, 2012. The announcement for this day was made one month before its commemoration by the website Mashable, a founding partner of Giving Tuesday. That same year, Giving Tuesday was widely covered and announced by many international news sources such as The Huffington Post and ABC News, which help spread the word about this observance.
Throughout the years Giving Tuesday has been covered by hundreds of media outlets. It has won the support of tech giants such as Google, Skype, Facebook, and Microsoft, as well as the support of several philanthropic and charitable foundations and organizations.
Every year, announcements about the day are shared on social media with the hashtag #GivingTuesday to help spread the word about the movement even faster and wider through the internet, encouraging people to donate.
What to do on Giving Tuesday
One of the most important things you can do on Giving Tuesday is to donate to charities that you like or that are important to you.
You can donate your time by volunteering, or your money by donating a sum on Giving Tuesday, or by setting up a recurring donation if you're able to. If you do not have the time to volunteer or can't donate money at the minute, you can always donate clothes that you and your family no longer wear, or donate toys that your children have outgrown. The important thing on Giving Tuesday is to do something good for others in any way we can, and even a little bit of help will cause a huge impact on the world.
Help spread the word and inspire others to follow your lead by sharing information about #GivingTuesday on your Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and even on your family and friends’ group chats.
