Deschutes United Way, Tower join #GivingTuesday
United Way of Deschutes County and the Tower Theatre Foundation have 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 – 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,” 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 a http://www.deschutesunitedway.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 http://www.givingtuesday.org/ Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday ) or follow #GivingTuesday ( https://twitter.com/GivingTues ) and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter..
United Way of Deschutes County is a “21 Cares for Kids” partner.
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, for getting deals. Now, the Tower Theatre Foundation helps launch #GivingTuesday across Central Oregon, an international day dedicated to giving back.
Next Tuesday, December 2, charities, individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits around the world come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity. Think of it as a global “Unselfie.”
To kick-off its 2014 year-end fundraising campaign, the nonprofit Tower Foundation set an ambitious goal for its inaugural Giving Tuesday – raise enough money to fill the theatre with 450 local students.
“It’s one way we can help students and teachers alike experience the thrill, magic, and meaning of performing arts,” said Alison Hamm, chair of the Tower Foundation Board of Directors. “On December 2, a donation of just $25 can send one child to the Tower next year. We want to see how many seats for an educational program we can fill in one day!”
Todd Dickerson, the Tower Foundation’s development director, added, “It’s really easy to support our efforts to bring performing arts to every student in Central Oregon. First, make a donation on our website Tuesday. Second, tell everyone on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter about how you joined a global celebration of generosity.”
#GivingTuesday was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. Together, the founding team launched a movement that has since engaged more than 10,000 organizations worldwide.
The nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation owns and operates the historic stage in downtown Bend. The Foundation’s mission is to be the leading performing arts organization, providing cultural and education programs that make an essential contribution to Central Oregon’s lifestyle and strengthen the community
What: Giving Tuesday
When: December 2
Where: TowerTheatre.org/support/donate
541-317-0700
