This day will be the first of its kind. Coinciding with the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are synonymous with holiday shopping. Although there are several charities you can support with donations, considering Super Storm Sandy "just" happened, I'd strongly suggest this inaugural day of "Giving Tuesday" be of donations to help the Sandy Survivors in New Jersey and New York, who even though have dropped off from trending on twitter and not a hot topic in the news - these people STILL need our help.
While you decorate your mantel for Christmas, remember those in need.
While you pull out the totes of Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and cards out of your attic, basement or garage, remember those in need.
While you decide where to hang this years Christmas lights, blow up Santa on the lawn, and place reindeer on your roof, remember those in need.
While you shop the malls for this years latest winter trend, remember those in need.
See more photos and learn how neighbors are helping neighbors in New York by hiring 5,000 people to help with the Sandy cleanup at U.S. News on NBCnews.com.
Besides donating funds or even blood to the Red Cross for this Giving Tuesday, here are just three of the many organizations to donate to for Sandy Help:
RESTORE THE SHORE
"Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday - THIS is the one that counts. Donate to RestoreOurShore to send funds to nonprofits working to help our neighbors rebuild. Spread the word, let's make it happen. #RestoreOurShore http://facebook.com/ RestoreOurShoreNJ "
REBUILDING TOGETHER
"We ask you to make "Rebuilding Homes After Sandy" part of your first GivingTuesday. Go directly to the campaign here: http://igg.me/p/SECRET SANDY259293?a=1649322, or visit www.rebuildingtogether.org /recovery for more ways to get involved. Thank you!"
Volunteer, donate supplies, send a gift or register to give at SecretSandy.org - A wonderful way to support this GivingTuesday by remembering the children affected by Sandy. Let them know that even though they may no longer have a home, Santa has not forgotten them this year...
Yordan and Joey wait with their parents in line to receive Red Cross relief items, like cleanup kits and diapers, in Jersey City at the bulk distribution of relief items in Jersey City, New Jersey on November 17, 2012. Photo by Gwen Eamer, Canadian Red Cross
What am I doing for this Giving Tuesday? I'm giving by helping to spread the word here on the blog, on Twitter, on Pinterest, on Facebook, and even on New Jersey & Long Island News Chanels (who didn't know or report about the day!) And I'm happy to say, my donations I boxed up here in AZ and sent to New Jersey (read about: Clearing the Closet to Help Make Donations) made it to shelters on the shore this past weekend!! (Thanks to Betty Shepard "Rocking The Rescue" of Wisteria Cleaning in New Jersey!)
Even BEYOND this FIRST Giving Tuesday -
Please continue to Help Restore the Shore!
Thank you for stopping by...
and your support of Sandy Help + Giving Tuesday!