Tuscaloosa’s #GivingTuesday

Tuesday, November 27^th is known as Giving Tuesday. Or as you more commonly see it, #GivingTuesday. The hash tag is in reference to its connection with social media.

Giving Tuesday is also known as the giving season’s opening day. According to their website at givingtuesday.org, “It’s a simple idea. Find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters.”

They encourage you to be a “Social Ambassador” and hit the social networks like Twitter and Facebook to spread the work about the organizations in your area. At day’s end #GivingTuesday was trending on Twitter, news organizations locally (WVUA & WBRC were on hand) and nationally were reporting on the event, and the number of followers at www.facebook.com/givingtuesday had reached over 9,000.

The leader of the pack here in Tuscaloosa was the United Saints Recovery Project, an organization formed in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to help areas hit with natural disasters by helping rebuild the community, to improve the quality of life, and more. They came to Tuscaloosa after the tornadoes on April 27^th.

USRP set up shop at the newly renovated and beautiful Jaycee’s Park in Alberta on a very cold and cloudy Tuscaloosa afternoon. Many area non-profits joined in and after seeing it I would say our first Giving Tuesday was a success.

I will continue being a “Social Ambassador” myself and give you useful information on each of those organizations that took part in #GivingTuesday here in Tuscaloosa. Below is a list of each participant.

United Saints Recovery Project
NEEDS: Volunteers, Home Depot gift cards, donations

Tuscaloosa Gives Back
NEEDS: winter coats, donations

Wings of Grace Disaster Relief Center
NEEDS: non-perishable food items, winter clothing/coats, donations

Tuscaloosa's One Place
NEEDS: toys, school supplies, canned food, donations

The West Alabama Humane Society
NEEDS: cat & dog food, treats, toys, blankets, brushes

Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama
NEEDS: donations

High Socks For Hope
NEEDS: kitchen and bathroom supplies, antibacterial wipes, baby wipes, diapers

Operation Teddy Bear
NEEDS: stuffed animals, donations