Make the Season Truly About Giving

You've heard of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday?

Well now, there's "Giving Tuesday."

The idea is to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.

And its happening right here in the Pottstown.

Pottstown-area nonprofits participating in #GivingTuesday (the '#' marks its Twitter handle ) include Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center, Pottstown YMCA, Pottstown Regional Public Library, Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, KenCrest, Family Services, and Aclamo, among many others.

Brian Parkes, executive director of the Pottstown Area Senior Center, said the movement intends to use the power of social media to encourage making donations to non-profits which make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

"We want to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season," Parkes said in a press release issued to The Mercury.

“People can donate to the organizations any time, not just on Dec. 2, but #GivingTuesday garners more excitement and we expect this excitement to bring in additional donors,” Parkes said.

"#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," he said.

In fact, there are organizations all over Montgomery County.

A new website www.GivingTuesdayMontco.org has information, including a list of nearly 100 organizations participating, along with links to donate, but does not accept donations of its own. 

According to the site, "#GivingTuesdayMontco is part of a national celebration of generosity. It’s a day to give a gift that makes an impact right here in our own community. It’s a way to let your values be part of your holiday giving."

Web marketing and web hosting company IQnection donated design and hosting services for the GivingTuesdayMontco.org website.

Along with the website, there is also a Giving-Tuesday-Montco Facebook page. 

“Last year, more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations in 46 countries were part of #GivingTuesday,” said Parkes. 

“It’s an opportunity to remind people of the power of charitable giving during this season, as well as the tremendous need that exists in our community.”