1. The document discusses the growing popularity of #GivingTuesday, a national day of giving held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It began in 2012 with celebrities like Eminem and Ellen DeGeneres tweeting about donating to various charities on that day. 2. In 2013, #GivingTuesday saw a 90% increase in online donations from the previous year. Over 2,500 charities participated across the US. The event received significant media coverage which helped raise awareness. 3. Although new, #GivingTuesday has grown substantially each year in donations and participation. It was conceived in 2012 and is now coordinated by the United Nations Foundation to encourage donations on a large scale each December

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Celebrities are celebrating a new holiday that you need to know about
RALEIGH, N.C (November 2, 2014). - Last year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving
Eminem, Selena Gomez, Kevin Bacon, Demi Lovato, Diddy and Ellen DeGeneres all
tweeted with #GivingTuesday. They were not alone. Dozens of other celebrities and
thousands of everyday people all joined together to contribute to the United
Nation’s newest holiday. The concept was simple: a national day devoted solely to
giving. It didn’t matter what was given or who received it. They simply had to give.
For Selena Gomez #Giving Tuesday meant supporting the Salvation Army. For Ellen
DeGeneres it meant helping out the American Cancer Society. For the world it meant
a lot more giving.
With the help of social media and celebrity endorsements #Giving Tuesday has
taken off. In 2013 there were 90% more online donations than the year before.
Donations were generous as well as frequent with an average gift amount of
$142.05. Over 2,500 charities and corporations from all 50 states joined in to help
achieve this great success. #Giving Tuesday experienced both high participation and
publicity in 2013 helping to make it even more successful. With over 800 press hits,
including ABC News, USA Today and CBS News, everyone was talking about Giving
Tuesday. The buzz started by news and celebrities caught on and #GivingTuesday
trended on Twitter for over 10 hours straight. There were 700 tweets per minute
during peak hours. Everyday people were excited.
Despite having the success of a heavily established holiday the concept of #Giving
Tuesday is a new one. It was first conceived by New York’s 92nd Street Y in 2012.
Shortly after the United Nations Foundation joined as partners and the idea truly
took off. An incredible team of creative minds formed to share ideas and develop the
concept. A wide variety of corporations and non-profits all joined in to create their
own #Giving Tuesday initiatives. Everyone began to spread the word. The concept
of #Giving Tuesday had become a reality. Since then it has broken its own records,
increased giving and brought people together. December 2, 2014 will be bigger than
ever, all that is left to do is get involved.
Not sure where to donate for #Giving Tuesday? Check out these charities and the big
ideas behind them!
-MORE-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014
CONTACT: WILL PETERSON
PHONE: 410-858-6636
PETERW12@HIGHPOINT.EDU

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Easter Seals: Easter Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach and
advocacy so that people living with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities
can live, learn, work and play in our communities. For more information visit
www.easterseals.com
Global Scribes: Founded by author and entrepreneur Cynthia English, Global
Scribes wants to change the world by connecting children through the beauty and
power of the written word. Global Scribes gives kids from all over the world the
chance to share about their unique circumstances in order to foster peace and global
understanding. To get involved visit www.globalscribes.com
International Fund for Animal Welfare: The International Fund for Animal
Welfare works to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the
world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats,
and assisting animals in distress. To learn more visit www.ifaw.org
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For Shannon
This will be submitted to The News and Observer.
http://www.newsobserver.com/contact-us/ This link has a specific area for press
releases.
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 8