(Giving Tuesday website)

By Alessia Proietti

Generosity Movement

Here are some of the local organizations raising funds this Giving Tuesday

Nov 28, 2023 | 10:01 AM

Today is Giving Tuesday and organizations across Red Deer are reaching out to residents for their help.

The world’s largest generosity movement began in 2012 on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the United States, encouraging people to do good after popular consumer days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Held this year on November 28, various local organizations are raising funds through CanadaHelps.org, who will also be matching one per cent of donations.

Some Red Deer organizations participating in the cause through their own initiatives include:

• Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (HOF): the HOF says funds raised will help them continue to preserve sporting legacy, inspire future champions, and create community engagement through events, outreach programs and educational initiatives.
• Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP): the institution is hosting their second annual Sweaters for Scholarships, with the goal of raising $15,000. Every $10 donation provides an entry for a draw to win one of five RDP holiday sweaters.
• Inclusion Alberta: donations will help those with intellectual disabilities. The organization shared the story of Jade, who was able to find a job through their Rotary Employment Program and enroll in a university music program through their Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Initiative, living independently on campus and making lifelong friendships.
• The Mustard Seed: until midnight on November 30, Red Deer’s Kipp Scott GMC Buick dealership will be matching donations made to the charity, as they strive to raise enough funds for 185,000 meals across their five locations. Since last year, the organization says they are serving over 700 more meals a day.
• Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre: the organization hopes to raise $10,000 to provide Fee Assistance for families of children with special needs in central Alberta.
• Central Alberta Humane Society: the organization created four Giving Trees for the event, allowing donors to choose where they would like their funds to go. They include Pocket Pet Hutches, Kitten & Puppy Incubators, Veterinary Ultrasound, Kitten Condo Living, Shelter Animal Care, and Binocular Labscopes.
• Youth HQ: donors can choose to give to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program or the BGC Club, helping youth across the region. Funds help provide youth in the 49^th Street Youth Shelter with personal hygiene supplies and food, support a child in summer camp, in-school mentoring, and more.
• Red Deer Arts Council: donations will help market the arts in the community, promote ongoing networking, develop a stronger voice for the literary, performing, visual arts, and arts and cultural organizations, and encourage cooperative partnering of arts groups and businesses.

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Other organizations that impact the local community include:

• Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Alberta: the charity has a goal of raising $180,000 for their houses in the province, including the Red Deer House. The Crist Family Foundation has committed to matching all #GivingTuesday funds up to $90,000.
• Canadian Cancer Survivor Network: with the goal of raising $10,000, the Network’s campaign this year is “Caring Together: Supporting the Caregivers”, who provide emotional, physical, and practical assistance to their loved ones throughout their cancer journey. The funds will support caregivers with the resources they need like education, support groups, and more for their own well-being.

Local petrochemical company NOVA Chemicals is also participating in the campaign in support of mental health, donating $50,000 to the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, $30,000 to The Outreach Centre, $40,000 to United Way Central Alberta, $50,000 to the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, and $30,000 to Vantage Community Services.

“We’re so happy to be able to provide funding to these critical support organizations in our community. These agencies do excellent work to help address mental health needs in central Alberta. We know this time of year can be particularly tough for people and we want to help ensure there are resources available when needed,” said Jim Dixon, Acting Vice President Manufacturing West of the NOVA Chemicals Joffre Site.

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