During the holiday season, many individuals will hop from store to store looking for the right gifts to place under the Christmas tree. But Tim’s Gift, Inc. is encouraging giving in a different way after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The local nonprofit is hosting a open house for #GivingTuesday, a global day to celebrate and support philanthropy throughout the year. It’s scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 108 Northeast Blvd. in Clinton. During the event, staff members will explain their mission, which provides items and care to hospice and care patients. Other nonprofit organizations are encouraging others to do the same. Refreshments will be served during the event.
“We have invited and encouraged other nonprofits to join us,” said Becky Spell Vann, president of Tim’s Gift. “We are just the place where they can come join us.”
A prayer session for #GivingTuesday is scheduled for 7 a.m. The public is invited to attend and throughout the day for prayer sessions.
“We’re going to be praying for our nation and our world with the affairs that are going on with terrorism,” Vann said.
Vann is encouraging people to become involved in their churches as well. Spirituality is a big part of the organization.
During the event, any nonprofits may stop by and distribute materials to people in attendance.
“We believe that unity is the answer,” Vann said.
Along with Sam Gore, director of Tim’s Gift, wanted to bring an awareness to the community about the importance of supporting nonprofits through #GivingTuesday.
“A lot of people thinks it just happens,” Vann said. “With nonprofits, God takes care of it, but it takes a lot of help in the community for us to give back and help people in need.”
Vann said a lot organizations are looking for end-year donations, which is why #GivingTuesday is set in December.
“So many times, we hear about the figures that were spent on Black Friday for gifts,” Vann said. I know a lot of people are not giving now because so many people are in a crunch. But we believe that the Biblical principal is true, that when you give, it comes back to you.”
It was created by 92nd Street Y, a cultural center in New York. According to the organization, #GivingTuesday connects people to encourage giving. Social media plays a big part in the initiative as well.
