This week marks the countdown to one of the busiest weekends of the year. On Thursday, families and friends will join to celebrate Thanksgiving. But just when the leftover turkey is packed up and the dishes are all (well, mostly) cleaned, here comes the shopping frenzy known as Black Friday, followed by the continued retail bustle on Saturday and Sunday. After that is Cyber Monday, the day when millions of consumers get out of the stores and on to their computers to find online deals and discounts. All told, American consumers spend billions of dollars getting a jump on holiday shopping.
But then, as the dust settles from the busy retail weekend, we have the breath of fresh air known as #GivingTuesday.
The website for #GivingTuesday (yes, the hashtag is part of the day’s name) shares this description of the holiday: “Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy with events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources.”
The 3-Day = Giving
Here at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, we witness our participants’ dedication to giving. Every year, thousands of Komen 3-Day walkers and crew members give their energy, time, passion, emotion, and in some cases, even their toenails in a truly extraordinary effort to put an end to breast cancer.
And then there are the tens of thousands of 3-Day® donors who give their hard-earned dollars to fund Susan G. Komen®’s critical mission programs of research, community health, education, public policy and global initiatives.
Here are a few ways that the 3-Day community can make the most of #GivingTuesday:
- Make the Commitment – If you haven’t already, register to walk the 3-Day in 2016. Registration for all 2016 3-Day events is open, and if you register by December 9, registration is just $35.
- Make a Big Push for Donations – For those of you already registered for a 2016 3-Day event, use #GivingTuesday to make a big push for donations. Social media will be bustling with #GivingTuesday activity on December 1, so to help your efforts stand out, we’ve made some inspiring graphics for the 3-Day. You are welcome and encouraged to download and share these images next Tuesday.
- Make Yourself Seen – #GivingTuesday is promoted as a social media-driven day of charitable giving, so posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will be your go-to methods of reaching people on December 1. This is not a day to be shy on social media; go ahead and post frequently without worrying about being “pushy.” This will be a day when people want to give; use our tools (and the quote photos above) to make yourself and your 3-Day fundraising stand out. Go to The3Day.org/Widgets to add the 3-Day app to your Facebook page, and check out our suggested messages for social media at The3Day.org/Social.
- Make it Easy – Remember, the easiest way for donors to give to your 3-Day fundraising efforts is online, and the easiest way for them to find YOU is through your personal URL (the web address that will point donors directly to your personal fundraising page). Need help setting up your personal URL? Click here for a handy how-to, or call the 3-Day coaches at 800-996-3DAY for help.
We’re eager to see how you make #GivingTuesday a remarkable day for the 3-Day! Be sure to share your stories with us on social media, and don’t forget to tag us with #The3Day in your posts.
