Explore the Many Ways You Can Give Back Locally
Writer / Alison Gatz
Photography Provided
What is Giving Tuesday all about?
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Giving Tuesday takes place every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the United States. Giving Tuesday this year will be on Tuesday, November 28.
The primary goal of Giving Tuesday is to encourage people to engage in acts of generosity, and to support charitable organizations and causes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of giving back to the community, both locally and globally. Participants are encouraged to donate their time, money, skills or other resources to help those in need, or to support causes they are passionate about.
Here are some key points about Giving Tuesday:
- Global Movement: While it originated in the United States, Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement, with participation from individuals, nonprofits, businesses and communities around the world.
- Diverse Forms of Giving: Giving on this day can take many forms including monetary donations to nonprofits, volunteering time, fundraising for charitable causes, and acts of kindness.
- Social Media Engagement: Giving Tuesday has leveraged the power of social media to spread awareness and encourage participation. The hashtag #GivingTuesday is commonly used on platforms like X, Facebook and Instagram to share stories of giving and inspire others to get involved.
- Impact: Since its inception, Giving Tuesday has generated significant support for charitable organizations and has raised millions of dollars for various causes. It has also helped shine a spotlight on important social and environmental issues.
- Partnerships: Many nonprofit organizations, businesses and corporations actively participate in Giving Tuesday by launching fundraising campaigns, matching donations or contributing a portion of their sales to charitable causes.
- Community Building: Giving Tuesday fosters a sense of community engagement and philanthropy, bringing people together to make a positive difference in the world.
- Yearly Tradition: Giving Tuesday has become an annual tradition, and it continues to grow in popularity as more people and organizations join the movement.
Overall, Giving Tuesday serves as a reminder that the holiday season is not just about consumerism, but also about giving, compassion, and making a positive impact on society. It encourages individuals and communities to come together and support the causes and organizations that matter most to them. For more information about Giving Tuesday and ideas on how you can get involved, visit givingtuesday.org.
GIVING locally in Fishers
A great way to GIVE back to the community is by sharing your time, talent and/or treasure with local nonprofits. Don’t know where to go or who to support? Here is a list of just some of the local nonprofits to get you started. These are local nonprofits that serve our community and we wholeheartedly believe in the work they do. You can also find more local nonprofits and the work they do by visiting the City of Fishers website at fishers.in.us.
These organizations are either based in Fishers, focus most of their work in Fishers, or have a project specific to Fishers:
- Fishers Youth Assistance Program
- HAND, Inc.
- HSE Schools Foundation
- Fishers YMCA
- Outside the Box
- otbonline.org/otb-fishers
- The Shift Initiative
- Youth Mentoring Initiative
- Humane Society for Hamilton County
- Good Samaritan Network
- hamcolove.com
- Mudsock Youth Athletics
- Recovery Café of Hamilton County
These organizations serve in Fishers as well as Hamilton County:
- Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County
- Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide
- Heart and Soul Free Clinic
- Prevail
- Healthier Hamilton County Systems of Care
- Paws & Think
- Trinity Free Clinic
- Food 4 Souls
- Janus Developmental Services
- Kids Coats Hamilton County
- Cherish
- A Kid Again
- Same As U
Other ways to give back to our community
Volunteer your time, and volunteer your skills!
Did you know the City of Fishers has a complete website dedicated to volunteering in Fishers??? See all the great ways you can give back by visiting volunteerfishers.com.
Volunteer with our local schools! Connect with a specific school to determine what needs they have that align with your ability and availability. There are so many ways to get involved with our schools, and here are a few ideas to get you started:
– Share your career with students on career day
– Help in the office by organizing, doing errands and making copies
– Organize a supply drive for teachers and classrooms
– Donate household goods and miscellaneous items for STEM projects, art projects or theater
– Sign up to be a substitute teacher – this is a huge need for our schools
Coordinate a collection drive!
Food pantries love donations. Check in with these local pantries to see their latest needs:
– Township trustee offices
– Church pantries
– Hamilton County food pantry master directory by Good Samaritan Network
– Fishers Youth Assistance Snack Attack and Summer Meal Program
– HamCo Love collects feminine hygiene products to donate to schools
Clothing, shoes and accessory drives are a great way to encourage friends and neighbors to clean out closets!
– Winter coats, hats and gloves for Good Samaritan Network or Kids Coats
– Women’s professional attire for Dress for Success
– Eyeglasses for the Lions Club or Fishers Optimist Club
– Shoe drive for Changing Footprints
– Rehab equipment such as crutches and walkers for Good Samaritan Network’s Rehab Equipment Link
– Donate broken and unused holiday lights to local schools
Love to serve alongside people? Local service organizations would be a great place to start.
– Fishers Rotary Club
– Fishers Police Corps
– Fishers Fire Corps
– Fishers Multifaith Community for Compassion
– Fishers Tri Kappa
– 100 Women Who Care Hamilton County
– Fishers Century Club
– Knights of Columbus
– Fifty Club of Fishers
There are many ways to give back, whether through an organization or random daily acts of kindness. One of the pillars of our city is vibrancy. A vibrant community is connected, resilient, healthy and inspiring. We can’t think of a better way than giving back to others, as a way to ensure Fishers is a vibrant community for us to call home.
