JUST A HANDFUL OF THOSE WHO GAVE TO BLUEFIELD COLLEGE ON #GIVINGTUESDAY.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS FOR #GIVINGTUESDAY.
Tabbed #GivingTuesday and observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is global day of generosity designed to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate charity worldwide.
Now in its fourth year of existence, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season when many focus on holiday and end-of-year giving. It also harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations around the world to make a difference through giving, and this year Bluefield College decided to join the movement by encouraging alumni and friends to give to BC.
“This was our first year participating in #GivingTuesday,” said Josh Grubb, BC’s director of alumni relations. “It was a great event. We are grateful to our alumni and friends for the gifts and pledges they made on December 1 that will help financially support our students. We’re already looking forward to getting involved again next year.”
The college received $5,510 in gifts and pledges on #GivingTuesday from former students, employees, trustees and parents. In addition to monetary gifts, BC alumni and friends were encouraged to give time, prayers and other support to the institution.
“We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back,” said Grubb.
Internationally, donors gave more than $116 million to their favorite charities on #GivingTuesday. Fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, the event was mentioned more than 1.3 million times on social media.
“(It) was not just a day for results,” said #GivingTuesday organizers. “More importantly, it was a day to say thanks. The giving season has only just begun. Many campaigns run through or beyond December 31. Let’s keep the momentum alive and show the world how, together, we can make a difference.”
Created by 92nd Street Y, a cultural center in New York City that brings people together around the values of service and giving, #GivingTuesday connects diverse groups of individuals, communities and organizations around the world for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. A team of influencers and founding partners joined forces, collaborating across sectors, offering expertise and working tirelessly, to launch #GivingTuesday and have continued to shape, grow and strengthen the movement.