United Way of Deschutes County has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners—charities, families, businesses and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world.
Taking place December 2, 2014 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.
United Way of Deschutes County joined #GIVINGTUESDAY to inspire those who already do so much in our community, especially during this giving season, to give a little more to help the 26 partner agencies funded by United Way and to show support for the growing movement.
According to Vito DiMaio, director of resource development, for United Way,” #GivingTuesday aligns well with the LIVE UNITED movement. Together, our gifts can last more than just one day. As an example a gift of $50 will fund weekly children’s support groups that help children heal by letting them know the abuse is not their fault and that they are not alone, $5 a week provides 35 emergency food boxes – feeding a family of 4 for 3 days, and $10 a week provides 20 nights of emergency shelter for homeless/throw-away teens”. In addition to monetary gifts several of our partner agencies have volunteer and recognition programs planned such as Bend Community Center’s Keep Them Warm program and organizing food pantries, and Partners in Care Light Up A Life.
“#GivingTuesday is a counter narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism,” said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation. “The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world.”
Participants are encouraged to share their stories and #UNselfies on the United Way Facebook page using the hashtags #Unselfies, #GivingTuesday, and #LiveUnitedCO . Together we can inspire help and hope this #GivingTuesday. People wanting to help out are encouraged to send their gift to the community through the United Way online campaign at www.liveunitedco.org, by mail to PO Box 5969, Bend, OR 97708, or by calling the United Way office at (541) 389-6507.
For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow #GivingTuesday (https://twitter.com/GivingTues) and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter.
