#GivingTuesday. 6 Tri-Cities charities asking for your help this holiday season
Black Friday is the top shopping day of the year, as everyone begins their holiday shopping. The digital age has brought on Cyber Monday, which has led to many weekend-long deals.
But following all the sales and all the purchases comes Giving Tuesday.
The global movement created in 2012 emphasizes charity and donation amid the busiest shopping and spending season.
“Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give,” states the Giving Tuesday website.
There are many nonprofits and other organizations in Tri-Cities seeking donations this Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, in support of many worthy causes. Here are some options to consider.
Giving Tuesday in Tri-Cities 2023
▪ Benton Franklin Humane Society
The Benton Franklin Humane Society has been reminding its Facebook followers of Giving Tuesday with infographics and pictures of the animals in its care. The Humane Society says it receives no government funding and relies on community support to help animals find forever homes.
BFHS says Giving Tuesday donations will be used to further the society’s mission of humane treatment of animals, adoption, counseling, educational outreach and community services.
▪ My Friends Place at Safe Harbor Resource Center
The Safe Harbor Resource Center is a support and resource center for children, aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect while providing a healthy environment when there are no other options. Their program “My Friends Place” helps homeless youth ages 13 to 20, offering a bed, meals, clothes, showers and other help.
Donations will be used for clothing, bedding, food and entertainment. You can donate online or drop off items or funds at the shelter.
▪ Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
Strides is a local nonprofit established in 2006 that aims to enrich the lives of the disabled through equine-assisted therapies and activities.
This year, it’s holding its third-annual “GIVE-A-NEIGH” campaign, which began on Giving Tuesday and has raised thousands over the years. The campaign ends on Dec. 2 with a live telethon on social media.
Donations will be used to support the horses and organization through winter, according to a Strides social media post announcing the third GIVE-A-NEIGH campaign.
▪ Support, Advocacy, and Resource Center
The Support, Advocacy and Resource Center (SARC) is a crisis support center for trauma survivors, dedicated to providing adequate crisis services, support for survivors and others impacted by traumatic events, and preventing further violence through prevention education in the community.
Donations from Giving Tuesday will go toward two main causes, according to SARC, with a goal of $24,000 raised. The first is Camp SARC, which is a summer day camp held for two dozen children impacted by crime. Camp activities are designed specifically for these children, to help them through their trauma. SARC wants to raise $1,400 for the camp.
The additional $10,000 SARC wants to raise is for continued free counseling services, offered to local children and adults who are survivors of crime.
▪ Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities
Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities (TROT) is focused on promoting the well-being of special needs individuals through animal-assisted activities and therapies.
This year, TROT hopes to raise $2,160 to offer six people a scholarship for an eight-week adaptive riding program, according to a Facebook post.
Tri-Cities Chaplaincy offers hospice care focused on all of an individual’s needs, emotional, physical and spiritual, with care through illness, crisis, loss and grief.
For Giving Tuesday this year, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy is hoping to raise $5,000 to pay for all groceries for 2024.
This list is not exhaustive, and many other organizations may accept donations, volunteers or other help on Nov. 28.
If you know of any other options for charity this Giving Tuesday, let us know using the form below.
This story was originally published November 26, 2023 at 5:00 AM.