Holiday shopping is in full swing, but as consumers admire their spoils from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the #GivingTuesday movement aims to remind people to give to charity, too.
Giving Tuesday is an international event that began in 2012 on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Three years ago, #CHAgives was formed to localize Giving Tuesday for the Chattanooga region.
"The whole thing behind Giving Tuesday, in general, is just to elevate the work that the nonprofit and social sectors are doing and really engage everyone in generosity," said Abby Harrison, executive director of Causeway, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit that's partnering with the United Way of Greater Chattanooga, the Generosity Trust, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga to promote #CHAgives.
For those looking for a place to donate, a list of participating nonprofit organizations is available online at chagives.org. Many local restaurants, which also are listed on the website, will donate a portion of tomorrow's proceeds.
Harrison said this year #CHAgives also will encourage "acts of kindness" to promote nonmonetary giving. Acts of kindness are logged by texting "CHAGIVES" to 51555.
Online
› www.chagives.org
"It doesn't have to be big donations or dollars, but just getting involved," she said.
Last year, #CHAgives raised more than $225,000 for local, nonprofits on Giving Tuesday. The goal for this Tuesday is $300,000 in donations and 3,000 acts of kindness.
"At the core of our work is a belief that generosity and generous living leads to healthier, more fulfilled residents and a more connected community," said Maeghan Jones, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. "Giving Tuesday provides a wonderful opportunity for everyone in our community to participate in philanthropy and show love for their neighbor through generosity."
Contact staff writer Elizabeth Fite at efite@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.