Local nonprofits are gearing up for this year’s Giving Tuesday, a global movement that encourages generosity and giving.
Domestic Harmony and Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center are just a few of the many local nonprofit groups that will participate in the Great Give on Nov. 28, an event hosted by the Hillsdale County Community Foundation.
“This day is so important to us because it helps raise a good portion of our unrestricted funds for our annual budget,” said Hannah Jordan, executive director of Domestic Harmony, a local women’s shelter offering free shelter and services to those experiencing domestic violence.
Helping Hands, another nonprofit participating in the Great Give, is a pregnancy resource center providing services to local women and families in need.
The event is purposefully held after Thanksgiving and shopping events like Black Friday to encourage a spirit of giving, according to a statement from Hillsdale County Community Foundation.
“Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving,” the statement said.
Bryce Asberg, Helping Hands’ executive director, said the Great Give encourages the local nonprofits that participate.
“It is an important day because it reminds us of the strong community support for our ministry,” he said.
Both Jordan and Asberg said the funds raised as a part of the Great Give are critical for local nonprofits.
“These funds help us maintain the shelter, staff the shelter 24 hours, seven days a week, pay our utility bills, and provide food to residents for free,” Jordan said. “We also use these funds to help with specific client needs such as steel toe shoes when starting a new job or school shoes for their kids.”
Asberg agreed, and said it allowed Helping Hands to continue providing its services free of charge.
“The generous support of our donors allows us to offer these high-quality services at no charge to our clients,” he said.
Funds raised during last year’s Great Give allowed Helping Hands to pay off the mortgage on its downtown building.
Asberg said Helping Hands is grateful for the community’s support.
“We are humbled by the generous support of our community,” he said. “People across this county give sacrificially so that we can serve women and men and meet physical and spiritual needs right here in Hillsdale County.”
From now until noon on Nov. 28, community members have the option to give in advance by dropping off donations at 2 S. Howell St. between 9 a.m. and noon and between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Community members also have the option to mail donations to P.O Box 276, Hillsdale, MI, 49242, or they can donate online to their favorite local nonprofit on the Hillsdale County Community Foundation website.
On the day of the Great Give, there will be a drive-through and drop-off options for giving at the Hillsdale United Brethren Church Activity Center, located at 1300 S. Hillsdale Road.