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Give to Local Nonprofits on the Tuesday After Thanksgiving

Home Instead’s Be A Santa to a Senior program delivers gifts to seniors in need during the holidays.

Whether the holidays put you in a charitable mood or you’re eyeing your tax deductions, it’s that time we’ve all come to know as the “season of giving.” In fact, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving is designated as the international day of giving, which falls on Nov. 30 this year. On this day, GAgives on GivingTuesday, led by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), connects citizens and nonprofits to facilitate contributions and drive awareness in local communities.

“After the frenzied holiday spending of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GAgives on GivingTuesday empowers Georgians to showcase our commitment to the true meaning of the giving season,” said GCN President and CEO Karen Beavor. Over the past two years, the funding needs of Georgia nonprofits have risen in direct correlation with the demands of the communities they serve due to the pandemic. Last year, GAgives participation increased 94% from 2019, according to GCN, and hopes are that this trend will continue. There are over 100 additional organizations participating across the state this year because of last year’s astounding success. This includes local Athens nonprofits like Athens Area Emergency Food Bank, Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA), The Cottage Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center, We Rock Athens and Sandy Creek Nature Center.

“Athens has an array of nonprofits like the Nuçi Phillips Memorial Foundation and the Athens Nurses Clinic that provide important services to the local community. There are also organizations, like the Georgia River Network for example, that have impact across the state. The Athens community is incredibly generous and has a lot of causes right in its own backyard to support on GAgives Day to make an impact locally or more broadly,” said Beavor. For those who want to donate, the official giving portal can be accessed online at GAgives.org. Through this initiative, more than 1,200 nonprofits across Georgia received funds in 2020.

To broaden the impact of the program this year, the GAgives team is providing participating nonprofits with training and resources to assist in maximizing their fundraising efforts and potential. Campaigning skills are being taught that empower nonprofits to tap into their networks to garner support from board members, volunteers, etc. while also spreading information about their mission and the impact that nonprofits make in the community. Nonprofit organizations and the people they support need the assistance of their community in order to fulfill their services, said Beavor. That is why the concentrated and organized fundraising of GAgives makes a difference in nonprofits being able to continue their work and missions.

Although Tuesday, Nov. 30 is the pinnacle of GAgives’ fundraising, early donations are open now. Resources are available for those who want to start their own fundraising campaigns, too. To spread the word about this program and the nonprofits it serves, GCN urges supporters to use the hashtags #GAgives and #GAgenerosity on social media to share stories about their favorite nonprofit and why they donate.

If you’re looking for other ways to donate this holiday season, Home Instead of Athens, in association with the ACCA, is hosting its 17th year of the local Be A Santa to a Senior program that ends Friday, Dec. 3. This program collects gifts—often necessity items such as toiletries, clothing and blankets—to support and bring cheer to older adults who may be overlooked, isolated or alone during the holidays. “We’ve all experienced feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, and seniors are at a particularly high risk for isolation,” said Danny Hedgepeth, owner of the local Home Instead office. This year, the Athens office will provide 3,000 gifts to approximately 800 seniors in the area. To find participating locations or virtual ways to donate, visit beasantatoasenior.com.

Reaching out to your favorite nonprofit directly may help you find other ways to support meaningful causes and donate to seasonal fundraising efforts. Of course, nonprofits need support year-round. The list of nonprofits on the GAgives portal is a full, although not comprehensive, look into what organizations are helping the community and how we can help them in return.

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