There is Thanksgiving to give thanks.
There are Black Friday and Cyber Saturday to get holiday deals.
Now, the Golden Belt Community Foundation wants folks to take a breath and think about giving back. We have a day for giving thanks.
The foundation has become a partner of #GivingTuesday, a philanthropic movement focused on celebrating a new tradition of generosity. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
Hoping to channel the generous holiday spirit, the Golden Belt Community Foundation will host an in-person giving day to build local non-profit and community endowments, GBCF Executive Director Christy Tustin said. Over 35 organizations in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties have signed up to participate in the GBCF’s Giving Tuesday campaign called “Give Where You Live.”  
Individuals, families, and businesses are encouraged to donate in-person at the following locations in each county: The GBCF office at 1307 Williams in Great Bend from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the Sixty-Plus Center at 504 Main in LaCrosse from noon to 6 p.m.; the State Theater at 617 Broadway in Larned from noon to 6 p.m.; and the Courthouse Annex at 210 E. Third in St. John from noon to 6 p.m.
Organizations establish endowment funds to permanently support their operations and programs. “We know that endowment is a great way to work toward long-term sustainability of our local charitable organizations, so that they will be around to serve the next generation in the Golden Belt area,” Tustin said.
“Your gift will mean even more to local organizations because the GBCF has raised a matching pool of $30,000 and will proportionally match gifts to participating endowment funds only on Giving Tuesday,” she said.  The matching funds will be awarded on a pro-rated basis depending on the total amount of gifts received on Dec. 2. 
“The more you give, the more your favorite organizations get from our match pool,” Tustin said.
Additionally, special incentive grants are available to the organization that receives the most gifts to their endowment fund and to the organization that has the most unique donors give to its endowment fund. Several organizations have already held or are planning special events.
With over $14.7 million in total assets, the Golden Belt Community Foundation has been assisting donors with their charitable giving goals and working with area non-profit agencies since 1996 in an effort to build better and stronger communities in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties.
For more information, contact Tustin at  620-792-3000 or visit www.goldenbeltcf.org.