Local Organizations Part Of Global Giving Tuesday Event

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — With Thanksgiving and Black Friday behind us, now is the time to think about giving to others, or what many describe as the reason for the season. Giving Tuesday is Nov. 28, and it's a day where several organizations are encouraging others to donate to a local cause or charity. What began as a social media trend centered on a day of giving back in 2012 by 92nd Street Y, a cultural center in New York City, #GivingTuesday has since expanded across the globe, according to the movement's website.

In just one year more than $177,000,000 was raised online for Giving Tuesday, according to givingtuesday.org.

While #GivingTuesday is celebrated around the world, several local Indy-area organizations are working to improve our community, and a large part of this improvement comes from your support.

One of these local organizations, Best Buddies Indiana, is encouraging community members to participate in the sixth annual Giving Tuesday event.

RELATED: Best Buddies IN: Empowering Over 55,000 One Friendship At A Time

"Giving Tuesday has grown each year and is an important way for us to not only kick off year-end giving, but to build awareness going into the new year," Marcia Clutter, Deputy Director of Development for Best Buddies Indiana, said. "We try to tell stories of how Best Buddies has changed lives in Indiana in a variety of ways. Since Giving Tuesday is basically a social media campaign, we won't reach everyone, but it is an efficient and positive way to show our mission and hopefully to inspire people to get involved by donating, volunteering, advocating and including."

Including Best Buddies Indiana, these are just a few of the long list of local organizations participating in #GivingTuesday: Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, Gleaners Food Bank, Horizon House, The O'Connor House and Riley Children's Foundation.

Love animals? Take note - Humane Society of Hamilton County says they will double the dollars you donate.

Is your organization participating? Email rebecca.bream@patch.org to be added to this list.

More information including nearby participants: Giving Tuesday Facebook page, givingtuesday.org.

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