Giving Tuesday - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Giving Tuesday

A new unofficial holiday may be added to the calendar next year.. the Tuesday after Thanksgiving may be forever referred to as 'Giving Tuesday'.

A new idea that just might catch on in the years to come.

Jordan Pederson has the story.

Giving Tuesday began with a simple thought: we designate Thanksgiving as a day for gratitude, Black Friday and Cyber Monday as two days of good deals... why not add to that list --a day of giving back..

(Stacy Nordstrom, Campaign Coordinator, Souris Valley United Way, Minot) "There wasn't really a day to give back to really put the heart back into the holidays for the community, so a couple of organizations nationally that started the idea of 'why not have Tuesday be Giving Tuesday?'"

As a Giving Tuesday partner, Souris Valley United Way is challenging the Minot area to take part in the new national movement on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving by showing they can give as good as they get.

(Stacy Nordstrom, Campaign Coordinator, Souris Valley United Way, Minot) "Here at the Souris Valley United Way we decided to make it a local event and really emphasize giving back to our local community. You know, really making an impact in what we do right here."

As for organizations that run solely on the help of volunteers.. this day of giving just might be what they need..

(Peggy Roberts, Volunteer Coordinator, Minot Commission on Aging) "I think it is a very good idea and there is a lot of organizations that would benefit from it."

Including non-profit organizations such as Domestic Violence.

(Kari Heringer, Volunteer Coordinator, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Minot) "Our agency is so small that we rely on lots of volunteers to help us do day to day things and it keeps us able to provide services to clients in our areas."

Although this may be a nationally recognized day of giving.... all efforts will have an impact on the Minot and surrounding communities.

(Mac McLeod, Executive Director, Homeless Coalition, Minot) "Whatever you decide to do is, number one, going to stay inside the community, it is not going to go out, it is going to stay in the community to help those who are in need."

There are many ways to participate in Giving Tuesday:

A financial contribution, donation of toys and clothes, or by simply giving your time.

(Stacy Nordstrom, Campaign Coordinator, Souris Valley United Way, Minot) "Giving Tuesday can be about anything. It's really about just giving back to the community or even just teaching your children a little bit about generosity and what it means to give back and help people out."

(Mac McLeod, Executive Director, Homeless Coalition, Minot) "Any help that we can get is very much appreciated but it goes right back out to help those in need."

If Giving Tuesday has any future in our community.. it starts with just that.. the community.

Jordan Pederson, KX News.