#Giving Tuesday

If you're like me, your Facebook and Twitter feeds have been overwhelmingly populated today with the hashtag #GivingTuesday, and I must say this warms my heart. As someone who has worked for, volunteered for, and served on boards for non-profits in the Midlands, I was excited to see this initiative. So what is #GivingTuesday? Here is a little bit of info from the Giving Tuesday website: 
 
“We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. This year help create #GivingTuesday™, the giving season’s opening day. On Tuesday November 27, 2012 charities, families, businesses and individuals are coming together to transform the way people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. It’s a simple idea. Find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters. Join a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity. And together we’ll create ways to give more, give better and give smarter.”

In honor of the day, I have given back to two of my favorite charities – the SC Campaign and United Way of the Midlands. I have also encouraged everyone in our organization to get involved and will encourage you to do the same. Give to your favorite charity, collect canned goods for a local food pantry, volunteer for a non-profit that needs help; but then don’t keep quiet about it. Let others know you are participating in #GivingTuesday and encourage them to do the same! Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all got as excited about #GivingTuesday as we do about #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday?

by Cayci Banks, Director of Communications, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy