The holiday season is officially upon us. You’ve survived Thanksgiving with family and Black Friday with thousands of bargain hunters.
No doubt, ads for the newest gadgets, toys and clothing trends will be flying at us over the next four weeks. After all, it is the season of giving, right?
Although it receives far less attention than Santa, stockings and Christmas decorations, there is another hallmark of this season which just might be the most rewarding. The season of giving back.
Tuesday, Dec. 2, officially marks the beginning of the yearend charitable giving season.
Known as Giving Tuesday, the day after Cyber Monday has become a global celebration of generosity and a chance to help those in your local community.
In the Inland Empire, nonprofits face overwhelming needs.
According to a new report by CalNonprofits, charities in the Inland Empire receive just 26 percent of the statewide average in nonprofit revenue. Not only do we have greater poverty, health and educational needs than surrounding areas, but charities have fewer dollars with which to address those needs.
That means your donation is that much more critical to our community. Charitable giving this holiday season will not only provide a nice deduction when the tax man arrives, but more importantly, it will be a gift that gives throughout the entire next year.
Whether their mission is helping the homeless, equipping underprivileged students for success or counseling those in crisis, we have tremendously caring nonprofits working to improve conditions in our community.
And their dedication is making a difference. As one student wrote in a recent letter thanking United Way, “This is the best thing anyone has done for me. You really helped my family out a lot.”
On Giving Tuesday, or any time this season, I encourage you to consider how your dollars can make an impact right in our backyard. There are hundreds of strong nonprofits in our region, or a single gift to United Way’s Community Impact Fund can benefit 39 of the most effective organizations helping local families in need.
To make your impact or learn more, visit www.ieuw.org/GivingTuesday.
