#GivingTuesday

Tomorrow, November 28th, will be Giving Tuesday.

According to Days of the Year:

Giving Tuesday takes place on the Tuesday directly after American Thanksgiving, which in turn takes place on the 4th Thursday of November. Giving Tuesday was created to help the “giving season” get started, reminding people that there is more to holidays than consumerism and commercialization.

There's a Giving Tuesday website that includes lots of information, including where to find participating organizations near you.

The Giving Tuesday website also says:

This November 28th, join the movement and give - whether it’s some of your time, a donation, gift or the power of your voice in your local community.  

It’s a simple idea. Whether you come together with your family, your community, your company or your organization, find a way to give back and then share your idea.

And more from Days of the Year:

How to Celebrate Giving Tuesday

There is no shortage of ways in which this can be done. In recent years ideas have included organizing fundraisers, with the intention of giving the proceeds to a charity. As there are many ways to give in order to help others, and many things that can be given besides just money, there have been numerous other schemes. Among these are blood drives to give some assistance to local hospitals, volunteer fairs at which individuals can pledge to give time to community projects, and families giving food from their home to local pantries. The hashtag #GivingTuesday was also created to raise awareness about the needy and encourage people to give to charities. If you like, you can join Giving Tuesday’s team of Social Media Ambassadors, who are dedicated to spreading the word about #GivingTuesday and taking collaborative action to give back. At the end of the day, the truth is that there are thousands of charity organization the world over, many of which are likely located somewhere near you. Every single one of them could use your help, so find a cause that is especially important to you personally, whether it’s fighting a certain type of cancer, helping to buy schoolbooks for children from very poor families, or helping the animals at your local animal shelter, and take action! However you choose to celebrate the day, you can then share your story with Giving Tuesday’s official website to spread the word to the entire world.

And for you business owners out there, here are 5 shortcuts from Forbes for getting your business ready for Giving Tuesday:

1. Quickly brainstorm
2. Spread the word
3. Prepare to measure
4. Go big on #GivingTuesday
5. Say thanks

Also from Forbes:  

As you wrap up your overall holiday campaign, consider how you can prepare for next year’s #GivingTuesday and fold it into your end of year philanthropy activities. With proper planning, #GivingTuesday is an easy way to boost your holiday campaign and create high visibility and excitement around your company’s giving goals.

I know it's short notice, but next year I'll make sure to start promoting it earlier!

Interesting days

Today - Pins And Needles Day

Tomorrow - Giving Tuesday and French Toast Day

Next Monday - Cab Franc Day, Dice Day, Wear Brown Shoes Day, Cookie Day and World Wildlife Conservation Day

December 27 - Fruitcake Day, Make Cut-out Snowflakes Day and Visit The Zoo Day