ELLINWOOD —Star of Hope has joined #GivingTuesday, a first-of-its-kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season.
Coinciding with the Thanksgiving holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world.
Taking place Dec. 3 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – #GivingTuesday will focus the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday
Star of Hope became a partner last year and hopes to foster the #GivingTuesday message in the Mid West. Star of Hope is an independent Christian aid organization helping children across the globe.
“It will be a great day indeed when all the non-profits in Great Bend area join in on the #GivingTuesday tradition; it’s going to be big,” said Mark Presson of Star of Hope.
Seeing an opportunity to channel the generous spirit of the holiday season to inspire action around charitable giving, a group of friends and partners, led by the 92nd Street Y, came together to find ways to promote and celebrate the great American tradition of giving. Thought leaders in philanthropy, social media and grassroots organizing joined with 92nd Street Y to explore what is working in modern philanthropy and how to expand these innovations throughout the philanthropic sector. The concept gained steam, and by bringing together a group of founding partners—including the United Nations Foundation.
  #GivingTuesday is a counter narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism,” said Kathy  Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation. “The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world.” Those who are interested in joining Star of Hope’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.starofhope.us/shop the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow #GivingTuesday and the #GivingTuesday hash tag. - Star of Hope, 866.652.0321.