Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea. Giving Tuesday is a day that encourages people to do good. Since its inception, it has grown into a movement that spans the globes. Not only that, but it has inspired hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. In just seven years, the Giving Tuesday movement has raised more than $1 billion online in the U.S. alone.
Giving Tuesday doesn’t necessarily have to be about money. It could be something as simple as making someone smile, helping out a stranger or neighbor, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help. It’s important to remember that every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. Every little bit helps.
“GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity and equity around the globe. We believe that generosity leads to greater civic participation and other pro-social behaviors.
Our mission is to build a more just and generous world.” – Giving Tuesday
GIVING TUESDAY: LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY EDITION*
1. Kentucky Wildlife Center: Kentucky Wildlife Center, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating Kentucky native wildlife and to improving the welfare of wildlife through education. Located at: 4270 Georgetown Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40511.
2. Lexington Humane Society: Lexington Humane Society is the largest pet adoption agency in Central Kentucky. They educate the community on responsible pet care and the compassionate treatment of all animals, and we spay/neuter the pets of qualifying families at a low cost. Simply stated, they Give Love, Teach Love, and Adopt Love. Located at: 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40504.
3. The Salvation Army: They help families overcome poverty both now – with food, shelter, and clothing – and in the future, through education. Last year, they served over 30,000 Central Kentuckians through their homeless shelter, Early Learning Center, Boys & Girls Club, food pantries, clothing banks, and holiday programs. Located at: 736 West Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508.
4. God’s Pantry Food Bank: God’s Pantry Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, distributes food to thousands of hungry families in Central and Eastern Kentucky partnering with more than 400 food pantry and meal programs. Because of community support we are able to feed more than 200,000 Kentuckians annually. Located at: 1685 Jaggle Fox Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40511.
5. Dress for Success Lexington: They work hard every day to empower the women they serve to achieve economic independence and be all that they can be by providing a network of support, clothes for interviews and jobs, and the tools to help them not only get a job but keep it! Located at: 1165 Centre Parkway, Suite 100, Lexington, Kentucky 40517.
6. Arbor Youth Services: Arbor Youth Services provides a safe, supportive environment for unaccompanied youth (birth through 24 years of age) who have suffered abuse, neglect or at-risk of being victimized and may be homeless. They provide emergency shelter to youth under 18, and they help youth over 18 transition out of homelessness. Located at: 536/540 West Third Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508.
7. The Nest – Center for Women, Children, and Families: They provide a safe place for education, counseling, and support to children and families in crisis. They offer at no charge childcare, domestic violence counseling and advocacy; parenting classes; and help with basis needs such as baby diapers, formula or everyday toiletries for families that are trying to survive. Located at: 530 North Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508.
8. Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning: The Carnegie Center, winner of national, state, and local awards for programming excellence, empowers people to explore and express their voices through imaginative learning and the literacy arts. Programs such as K-12 tutoring, family literacy nights and fun educational workshops are low-cost/free, and scholarships are available to all in need. Located at: 251 West Second Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507.
9. Chrysalis House Inc.: Accredited, expert treatment for women with substance use disorders. Specializing in pregnant and parenting women; babies stay with their mothers in treatment. Helping women provide for themselves and their children, self-sufficiency and long-term sobriety is our focus. Located at: 1589 Hill Rise Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40504.
10. GleanKY: GleanKY’s mission is to gather and redistribute excess fresh fruits and vegetables to nourish Kentucky’s hungry. They partner with local grocers, farms, community gardens and orchards to take leftover produce after harvest or sales and deliver it immediately to over 100 feeding programs in eight Central Kentucky counties. Located at: 628 North Broadway, Lexington, Kentucky 40508.
11. Greenhouse17: Greenhouse17, formerly Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program, nurtures lives harmed by intimate partner abuse. Specially trained crisis counselors are available any time of the day, every day of the year. Their supportive services and programs provide safety, healing and opportunities to help survivors in 17 Kentucky counties overcome the trauma of abuse. Located at: P.O. Box 55109, Lexington, Kentucky 40555.
12. Hope Center: The Hope Center provides services to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These services include food, shelter, clothing, recovery from addiction, mental health diagnosis and treatment, transitional and permanent housing, employment assistance, social services, veterans’ programs, mobile outreach, and more. Located at: P.O. Box 6, Lexington, Kentucky 40588.
13. Paws 4 the Cause: They are a 100% no-kill non-profit animals rescue that relies on their volunteers and generosity of their donors to complete their mission, helping animals in high-risk situations who are facing life-threatening illness, injury or euthanasia. They extend a kind hand to those who suffer silently among us. Located at: 201 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40508.
14. Surgery on Sunday, Inc.: Surgery on Sunday provides essential outpatient surgeries to uninsured and under-insured, income-eligible individuals at no cost to the patient. This program was the first of its kind in the United States and has provided medically necessary procedures to thousands of individuals since 2005. Located at: 533 Waller Avenue, Lexington, Kentucky 40504.
15. Voices of Hope: They help people in recovery stay in recovery. They promote life-long recovery from addiction through recovery support services, advocacy, research, and education. At their community center you can find one-on-one recovery coaching, support groups, and sober social activities. They are building a recovery-ready community. Located at: 450 Old Vine Street, Suite 101, Lexington, Kentucky 40507.
*descriptions taken from the 2019 Good Giving Guide
Be sure to pick up an issue of the 2019 Good Giving Guide available at various locations across Lexington. Inside, there are 131 non-profits that you should support. It lists details about each organization, such as what they do, why they are great, and volunteer and in-kind needs.
Where are you giving for Giving Tuesday?
