NEWS

A guide to Giving Tuesday

Noell Dickmann
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

A new tradition is catching on alongside Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday - Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday is December 1. It was started by a cultural center in New York in 2012 and has since grown in popularity each year. About 30,000 businesses are participating in 2015, according to givingtuesday.org, and the kickoff to the charitable season is fueled by social media. Join the movement by using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.

The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation is an excellent place to start if you're unsure of what to support. Peruse the large list of funds in Oshkosh by visiting its website at oshkoshareacf.org. A variety of funds include support for the Boys and Girls Club, Day by Day Warming Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, the Emmeline Cook Beautification Project, Grand Opera House, Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra and many more.

Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Interim President and CEO Burk Tower said there's more than one way to give during the holidays. We often think of donating money, but one can also give gifts like toys, coats and food to organizations that help the needy; they can simply help a neighbor or invite someone over for a special holiday dinner; they can donate their time by volunteering.

"I think the idea of Giving Tuesday... reminds us as that we advertise, it’s a time to give and it's part of the season," he said. "It's also important to remember that every day should be a day of thoughtful giving and thinking of others."

Hunger and Homelessness

Gannett Wisconsin Media is aiming to raise $802,500 in its 10 markets for the 2015 Stock the Shelves campaign, which runs through Dec. 8. Donations in Oshkosh can be made through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation or drop off food items at Fox Communities, Verve, Oshkosh Community, Capital, UW Oshkosh, Health Care, Winnebago Community and Fox Cities Chapter credit unions. Food for Neighbors bag at Festival Foods benefit the campaign as well.

Day by Day Warming Shelter, 449 High Ave., has partnered with a donor who will match up to $10,000 in monetary donations specifically on Giving Tuesday, allowing those who donate to make twice the impact. Make a contribution or learn about volunteer opportunities at warmingshelter.com.

Terri Green, executive director at the Oshkosh Area Community Food Pantry, said the pantry is in need of canned vegetables, soups and healthy foods, and can always use more peanut butter and canned meats like tuna. Monetary donations can go far, as pantry staff can buy one pound of food for 19 cents. See volunteer opportunities at the pantry, located at 2551 Jackson St., by visiting oacptoday.org.

Father Carr's Place 2 Be, 1062 N. Koeller St., is in need of canned goods, rice and cereal. Staff said the organization is always in need of staple foods to provide meals to residents at the shelter. Donations can be dropped off at the Mother Theresa Center from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Learn about volunteering opportunities by visiting fathercarrs.org.

Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. staff listed numerous items like shampoo and conditioner, socks and underwear, toilet paper, new towels and bus passes. The organization at 206 Algoma Blvd. is in need of plastic dishes, storage containers, cooking utensils, garbage bags and cleaning supplies. Visit christineann.net to learn more.

Children and Christmas Campaigns

You can support the Salvation Army's holiday campaigns as well. The organization at 417 Algoma Blvd. sponsors many families in need by providing them with presents to open on Christmas. Organizations like the Winnebago Home Builders Association and Oshkosh Fire Department partner on its Toys for Tots campaign and numerous businesses are drop-off sites.

The Oshkosh Area United Way, 36 Broad St., offers a variety of programs in education, financial stability, health and the community at large. Get involved by visiting oshkoshunitedway.org.

Wave Robotics offers Science, Math, Technology programs including robotics for K-12 students. Learn how to support STEM education by visiting waverobotics.com/support.

Become a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sister of the Fox Valley, 36 Broad St. Learn about mentoring and volunteer opportunities by visiting bbbsfvr.org.

Animals and Environment

The Oshkosh Area Humane Society, 1925 Shelter Ct., is always in need of canned cat food, Tidy Cats cat litter and soft dog treats in flavors other than bacon, staff said. They also appreciate gift cards to places like Wal-Mart, Fleet Farm and grocery stores like Piggly Wiggly and Pick 'n' Save. Learn about volunteer opportunities at the organization by visiting oahs.org/volunteer. The next orientation is Jan. 14.

New Pawsabilities, 2300 Algoma Blvd., is always in need of dog and puppy food of any kind, as well as both dry and wet cat food. Monetary donations to the organization can help spay and neuter pets as well as fix its transport truck, said Jim Deering, the executive director.

"We're making a huge dent in the overpopulation down in Kentucky," he said. "Every dollar we get spays or neuters another dog and helps to save another dog from being euthanized."

To support all animal organizations in the Fox Valley, Angels Have 4 Paws Founder Jenna Kienbaum collects and buys pet supplies to sponsor a different animal organization each time. Drop off pet supplies at Fox Valley Iron and Metal at 3446 Witzel Ave. At this time the organization is only accepting pet supplies, but Kienbaum said they're also working to establish a fund to sponsor dogs for pet therapy training.

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, 1000 Ballard Road, Appleton, advocates for the Fox and Wolf rivers through education, outreach, watershed recovery and cleanup events. Learn about supporting the organization by visiting fwwa.org.

Miscellaneous

Support racial literacy through Fit Oshkosh, 3807-C State Highway 21. The organization hosts events and workshops to open up the conversation about race. Make a donation to its Go Fund Me Account at gofundme.com/fitoshkosh-fundraiser.

Refugee resettlement organization World Relief Fox Valley, 115 Washington Ave., is constantly in need of used furniture in good condition, particularly couches, kitchen table sets, dressers, dinnerware and blankets. They also accept new items like cleaning supplies, toothpaste, toothbrushes and tissue paper. Staff will even pick up donations in nearby areas. Visit worldrelieffoxvalley.org to learn more.

The Winnebago County Literacy Council offers programs in reading, writing and speaking. Visit winlit.org to learn about volunteer opportunities or to donate.

Sign up for the Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics at specialolympicswisconsin.org. The Oshkosh event is Feb. 20.

Donate to those in need of blood and bone marrow financially through the Community Blood Center. Call 800-280-4102 or visit communityblood.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood or find a blood drive near you.

Visit join.bethematch.org/givetuesday2015 to sign up for the national bone marrow donor registry for Giving Tuesday. See the "Before You Join" section on the Be The Match website to learn about the donation process and to make sure it's right for you.

Find many more volunteering opportunities at organizations in Oshkosh and the Fox Valley by visiting the Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin, 2616 Oneide St. #2, Appleton or volunteercenter.net.

Reach Noell Dickmann at 920-426-6658 or ndickmann@thenorthwestern.com; or follow her on Twitter @ONW_Noell.