Nation Celebrates 'Giving Tuesday' By Giving Back
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- After giving thanks and getting deals, the holiday season continues with a day of giving back.
Today is Giving Tuesday -- a national movement intended to encourage donations to charities and volunteerism.
"Just as we've all had our shopping lists for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, think about a giving list," Henry Timms, interim executive director of the 92nd Street Y, told 1010 WINS. "What are those causes which you think would appreciate that extra nudge at this time of year?"
Giving Tuesday was started last year by the United Nations Foundation and the 92nd Street Y.
EXTRA: Click Here To Learn More About Giving Tuesday
In its debut, the movement triggered more than $10 million in online donations, a 53 percent jump over the same Tuesday a year earlier.
More than 2,000 organizations participated in Giving Tuesday last year and the effort quickly became a trending topic on Twitter with celebrities, such as Bill Gates, spreading the word about the movement.
Since its launch, the 92nd Street Y has established 7,000 charity partners in all 50 states and participation levels are rising.
"The central idea of Giving Tuesday is all of us no matter where we come from or what we stand for, all of us can give back in a profound way. I think that's what Giving Tuesday is a celebration of," Timms said.
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