December 3 is Giving Tuesday, a widely recognized day of charitable giving that falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Born in 2012, the national movement harnesses the generosity of millions of people around the country to support the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

At United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, we see Giving Tuesday as an opportunity to stand together – united – for local change. For us, it’s about the long-lasting and amazing impact we can make together, ensuring that everyone has equitable opportunity to succeed in life.

When you make a gift to United Way on Giving Tuesday or any other Tuesday, the impact of your donation lasts much more than a day. It goes far beyond supplying a warm meal or shelter for a night, though it certainly does those things, too.

We encourage you to become a partner in the work by considering a donation, whether it’s a one-time $5 gift, or a commitment of $5 a week. Giving Tuesday is a great way to start. Next week, you’ll be able to donate via our Facebook fundraiser, and as always, you can make an immediate impact by donating online.

As an added bonus, you can double your impact thanks to one of our corporate partners, who has pledged to match the first $2,000 donated on Giving Tuesday!

Want to know more about how your gift makes a difference? Check our website as we celebrate our third annual Impact Week on Dec. 2-6. We’ll be sharing stories here on our website and on our social media channels so you know where change is happening and how you can help.