NEW YORK—People scrambling to do last minute holiday shopping had the chance to consider leaving some time to visit their favorite charities in the spirit of Giving Tuesday, a newly minted holiday.
Giving Tuesday makes use of social media and real-life blood drives, donation boxes and countless other festivities, across the country and in 28 other participating countries, to celebrate giving.
The day was founded in 2012, by the executive director of the 92nd Street Y (92Y), a community center in the Upper East Side, Henry Timms, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation.
Timms, a towering man who speaks with an English accent, said he observed philanthropy in America and was inspired by the generosity of people. He then wanted to encourage people to give and to show them where they could.
“Giving Tuesday was an experiment in thinking about community in a much bigger way,” said Timms, “And how we can use new technology to bolster communities.”
Unselfish
The day comes on the tails of the popular shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and fits in nicely along with the holiday theme, according to Timms.
“After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two days all about getting deals, we launch Giving Tuesday, which is all about giving back,” he said.
