Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are household terms. Now, there's a global push for a new day to be added to your vocabulary: #GivingTuesday.
This Tuesday will be the fourth annual #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving encouraged through social media. It's timed to when families focus on the holidays and end-of-the-year giving.
This year, for the first time, the United Way of Central Missouri is embracing the campaign.
On Friday, it put this post on Facebook: "Today is #BlackFriday. Then #CyberMonday. But are you looking to #give instead? Celebrate #GivingTuesday with us on Tuesday, Dec. 1 for an opportunity to #giveback to your community through your local United Way. https://volunteer.truist.com/cwocm/donate/ >> to #give now!"
The United Way has wrapped up its annual fundraising drive, but Vice President Theresa Verslues said there are always needs here in Central Missouri.
"We definitely want to make sure we thank people for their generosity with our current campaign," she said. "If they didn't have an opportunity to give through their workplace campaign, this is a way they can support the United Way locally.
"Going into the holidays, it's always a nice time to think of those who are less fortunate."
She said the agency will also make an appeal through Twitter.
The Salvation Army says its own fundraising push on Tuesday, Blue Tiger Tuesday, isn't directly related to #GivingTuesday, but does dovetail with the global event.
On Tuesday, the Salvation Army is partnering with Lincoln University students and faculty, who will be ringing Salvation Army kettle bells at six locations throughout the city: both Walmarts, Schnucks, Hy-Vee, Sam's Choice and Kmart.
They will ring the bells from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
"It certainly would fit the theme of #GivingTuesday nicely, with LU faculty and student "giving' of their time and donors "giving' their donations," said Lt. Christopher White of the Salvation Army.
"Both The Salvation Army and Lincoln University are vital and important parts of our community and we are delighted that for the first time we are able to partner with each other in this way" said Carlos Graham, director of Campus and Community Relations for the University and co-organizer of the event, in a news release.