Local Organizations Reach Out for Support on ‘Giving Tuesday’
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WHEELING -- With the giving season underway, local organizations are asking people to make donations to help fund their important work done throughout the year.
Today is Giving Tuesday, a day when groups across the country ask their communities to remember them during their charitable giving.
The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley is an organization that helps connect donors to worthy causes year-round. Since 1972, it has partnered with hundreds of donors to create numerous charitable funds. Working with those donors, CFOV has awarded more than $30 million in grants and scholarships across an eight-county region and beyond.
"Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for people to support those nonprofit organizations that they care about," said Susie Nelson, executive director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley. "It is the kick-off to the giving season every year and a great reminder that nonprofit organizations need financial support."
Nelson said people can visit the website at www.cfov.org and click on the "donate" button.
"We typically fundraise for our Community Impact Fund during this time of year, but donors can give to any of our 300+ funds, including some nonprofit agency endowments and special projects," Nelson said.
The Easterseals Rehabilitation Center works to change the lives of children and adults with various disabilities each day.
"Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity for people to show their love and support for local children with disabilities who are served by Easterseals Rehabilitation Center," said Betsy Bethel-McFarland, marketing director for Easterseals.
"I think people want to know, first and foremost, that their donations are making a difference locally. We want to assure you 100% of your donation to Easterseals -- on Giving Tuesday or any other day of the year -- goes to provide life-changing pediatric rehabilitation and medical care right here in the Ohio Valley."
Bethel-McFarland said Easterseals offers a variety of therapies including those for speech, occupational and physical therapy, and medical services. Children with mild to severe disabilities are taught to walk and talk with the goal of helping them reach their fullest potential.
Easterseals does not turn away patients based on their inability to pay, making the community's generous support important, she added.
To donate, visit www.wv.easterseals.com and click the "donate" button in the top right corner. Be sure to include the "WV." People can also give to Easterseals' Giving Tuesday fundraiser on its Facebook and Instagram pages. Checks can also be sent to Easterseals, 1305 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003.
The Gabriel Project, which has an office in Wheeling, is also seeking donations today. The Gabriel Project provides baby supplies, such as formula, diapers and more, for needy parents. To donate, visit www.gabrielwv.org, or mail a check to P.O. Box 4663, Charleston, WV 25364.
Donations of $500 or more qualify for Neighborhood Investment Program credits, according to the project.
Erica Mani, CEO, American Red Cross Central Appalachia Region, said Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for people to help the Red Cross assist those impacted by natural disasters, fires and other life-altering events.
"Consider partnering with us on Giving Tuesday and during the holidays by visiting redcross.org/car to provide a financial donation, schedule to give lifesaving blood or give the gift of time by volunteering," Mani said. "Back-to-back disasters, large and small, led to a series of blood drive cancellations, which further strained the national Red Cross blood supply that was already dwindling from summer travel and back-to-school activities."
Mani said this year, to date, there have been disasters causing a total $25 billion in damages. So far the Red Cross' Central Appalachia Region has helped 1,100 families hit by disaster, installed more than 4,000 smoke alarms, collected 49,000 units of blood and trained more than 30,000 people in lifesaving skills.