As the holiday shopping season is once again getting underway, you may be bracing yourself for the blatant displays of consumerism. They begin on Black Friday, spike online on Cyber Monday, and carry on right up until December 25th and often through New Year’s. But, take heart. More than 60 nonprofit organizations serving Bucks County residents have come together to draw attention to #GivingTuesday – an inspiring national celebration of generosity on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Bucks County was inspired by the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan and several other organizations that established the celebration last year. This year, Bucks County nonprofits are working to draw attention to the opportunities that each of us has to make a positive difference in the lives of families and communities right here in our county.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2013, generous people from across the country and, we hope, throughout Bucks County, will demonstrate their commitment to philanthropy by making a gift online to a nonprofit(s) of their choosing. We invite you to be one of them by going to our website (generously donated by IQnection) and giving to the organization(s) dedicated to the causes about which you care most.
Living, as we do, in a county known for wealth and privilege, it is sometimes difficult to see the needs of families all around us. A scan of the participating nonprofits on our website shows the range of needs here in Bucks County, and the inspirational story of how these nonprofits and their donors are meeting those needs.
Participating organizations include Bucks County Opportunity Council which coordinates the food pantries that feed hungry families; A Woman’s Place which provides emergency shelter to women and families needing protection from an abuser; and organizations like the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition (where I am a board member) who strive to change the underlying policies and structures that often make it difficult for families to achieve self-sufficiency.
There are museums, scouting organizations, health research organizations, educational organizations, and environmental organizations all actively working to make Bucks County a better place to live. A scan of the purposes of each participating nonprofit provides true inspiration and should serve as a reminder of the true spirit of the season ahead. I hope you’ll check it out.
About the contributor: Kathleen Welsh Beveridge, President of Spark Nonprofit Consulting, has more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and leadership in the nonprofit sector. A graduate of the Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame with a master’s degree in nonprofit administration, Kathy translates knowledge of best practices to small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations to help them improve their mission effectiveness and financial sustainability.