What difference would it make if every American gave $107 on #GivingTuesday?

Did you know that despite being in a recession, holiday spending is on the rise? Over a third of Americans will spend almost $800 this season on gifts, and the average American shopper will spend $107 on themselves.  (statistics courtesy of Mashable)  We even have a NAME for the day we go bat-crap crazy on our Visa’s: Black Friday.  And because one day wasn’t enough we go for another round of damage online during Cyber Monday.

Yet, Americans are generous people. We volunteer more, give more to charity, and support more causes than any other population around the world.  We crazy Americans have A LOT of money at our disposal that we consistently underplay.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday…there’s a new kid in town, y’all: Giving Tuesday.  The day after Cyber Monday is now being called #GivingTuesday.  The goal is to launch a day of GIVING.  

#GivingTuesday is a day of giving at the start of Christmas mania to celebrate giving, encourage more, better and smarter giving and hopefully making a big improvement in local communities, increased donations to deserving charitable organizations and many poor being better cared for.

Organized by several large for profit and non-profit organizations, #GivingTuesday isn’t a giving platform as much as it is a call to action to celebrate giving and to encourage the creative energy of Americans to work together for good.  It’s success is dependent on the collective efforts of a unique group of partners and bloggers like myself.  If #GivingTuesday can become a major part of the holiday season  it will put giving up front in November instead of December’s sloppy seconds.

 So.  What can you do to get involved in #GivingTuesday?  Well, I thought you’d never ask…

 Head over to the Giving Tuesday blog to learn more about it & the several hundred participating organizations.  Learn how YOU can give smarter and more strategically.  More giving bang for the giving buck!

 Invite your company to match employees’ donations on that day.

 Invite your organization to commit a portion of proceeds on #GivingTuesday to your favorite cause.

 Invite your local retailers to add a donation to purchases for a charity for #GivingTuesday.

 Partner with shops to donate a portion of sales to a charity on #GivingTuesday.

 Organize a local toy drive, consignment sale or holiday goods sale to raise money and goods for charity.

 Organize a holiday bake sale or pre‐order for baked goods on #GivingTuesday which will be ready for the holiday.

 Give $107 on #GivingTuesday to your local Food Bank, Gospel Mission or favorite charity.

And of course you can help us spread the message…

 Like #GivingTuesday on Facebook

 Follow #GivingTuesday on Twitter @GivingTues or and use the #GivingTuesday hashtag

 Follow on Pinterest

 Submit a video to the YouTube Channel You Tube channel

 Share your favorite giving quote or image on  Tumblr

 Participate in a “Thunderclap” of social media to announce #GivingTuesday has begun

 Announce your participation in #GivingTuesday to your networks and email lists

Let’s make #GivingTuesday a thing, y’all.

Can you even imagine the difference it would make to real hurting, hungry or desperate people if every American gave $107 to a local charity, Gospel mission or a favorite non-profit?

What org’s do you typically give to around the holidays?