Drink, play with puppies, practice yoga: 7 easy ways to give during tomorrow’s Giving Tuesday
#GivingTuesdayCLT is Charlotte’s local #GivingTuesday effort, uniting 235 local nonprofits. Visit givingtuesdayclt.org through Nov. 28 to donate money, time or goods to help make Charlotte stronger.
It’s Cyber Monday, which means we’ve likely spent Thanksgiving with loved ones, survived Black Friday (or slept through it) and are eagerly watching our emails for crazy good deals all day today. But, it also means that tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, which might just be my favorite day of the year (apologies to my kids and husband).
Now in its sixth year, Giving Tuesday was created as a way to counteract the consumerism of the days preceding it. This day is a day for communities to come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
Here in Charlotte we like to be No. 1. #GivingTuesdayCLT, Charlotte’s local Giving Tuesday effort, which supports 235 nonprofits, wraps up tomorrow with a citywide celebration of GOOD. Last year, Charlotte was the No. 1 Giving Tuesday community and we want to do it again. Tomorrow, there will be opportunities all over town to give in many different ways (HINT: It’s not all about the money!).
Here are 7 easy ways to give:
(1) Give blood
The American Red Cross and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte are partnering for a nine-location, community-wide blood drive for #GivingTuesdayCLT! A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions.
Donors who roll up a sleeve at the #GivingTuesdayCLT Blood Drives can have an impact in fulfilling this need. Can we get 500 pints donated? We think so! Take your pick of nine participating YMCA of Greater Charlotte locations and save a life.
(2) Play with puppies
From 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Google Fiber Charlotte (301 E. 7th St.) becomes #GivingTuesdayCLT World Headquarters. Stop by at any time to play with puppies from the American Pit Bull Foundation, assist with various on-site volunteer projects, enjoy complimentary lunch and see a Panther or two who will be stopping by.
(3) Partake in Happy Hour
So the term “Happy Hour” may be taboo in the state of North Carolina but there’s nothing against a Giving Makes Me Happy Hour! Head to 7th Street Public Market from 5-7 p.m. for complimentary treats, custom drinks, giveaways and a celebration of all things GOOD, emcee’d by WBTV’s Brigida Mack.
(4) Practice yoga
Do you prefer your giving with a side of “om?” Head to McColl Center for Art + Innovation from 6-9 p.m. where Yoga In Action will be hosting an evening of community-wide yoga featuring instructors Kiesha Battles, Johnna Smith and Debbie George. This event is free, but donations to #GivingTuesdayCLT will be encouraged.
(5) Adopt a pet with no adoption fees
The CMPD Animal Care & Control is waiving adoption fees in favor of a minimum $28 donation toward its Spay/Neuter fund + $10 required Mecklenburg county pet license (for pets four months and older).
Adoption comes with vaccines, microchip and Spay/Neuter surgery. Visit the shelter (8315 Byrum Dr.) from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. to find your new best friend.
(6) Drink a glass of wine or a pint of beer
We love to celebrate and it’s even better when it’s for a good cause. On Giving Tuesday, Carolina Beer Temple in Ayrsley is donating $1 for every pint or glass of wine to ACEing Autism AND hosting a raffle for prizes including two tickets to the Queen City Brewers Festival.
Rock Bottom Brewery is donating 10 percent of sales all day and $1 from each beer sold between 5-7 p.m. to Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids.
Wooden Robot is donating $1 from every pint of Generously Hopped IPA No. 7: #GivingTuesdayCLT to the General Fund and Legion Brewing is donating $1 of each pour from its Adventure Tap to Supportive Housing Communities.
(7) Grab a bite to eat
You have to eat anyway, right? Might as well make it GOOD. Visit one of many area restaurants on Giving Tuesday where a percentage of sales will be donated to a specific nonprofit participating in #GivingTuesdayCLT.
Also, head to Brixx Pizza and order the Chicken Florentine — $3 from each pizza sold goes to the General Fund, which gets divided among all participating nonprofits.
Photos: SHARE Charlotte, La Vie Magnifique Photography
This story was originally published November 26, 2017 at 10:00 PM with the headline "Drink, play with puppies, practice yoga: 7 easy ways to give during tomorrow’s Giving Tuesday."