Several Butler County non-profits are seeking help from the community on #GivingTuesday — the one-day annual event focused on charitable giving.
Launched in 2012, #GivingTuesday is an alternative to the post-Thanksgiving shopping and spending associated with Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
MORE: #GivingTuesday: How local people are reacting to giving day
Pam Cottle, vice president of operations for Butler County United Way, said the organization is reaching out to the community with a specific purpose.
“Our focus will be on an emergency response and recovery fund,” Cottle said. “With the number of natural disasters occurring this year, the concept of this fund was formed to focus on meeting the basic human needs of persons affected by devastating disasters. Floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters of this type can create havoc in a community.”
Cottle said there is a blueprint for how the money in the fund will be used to help people who may be impacted by such events.
“This fund would be a ready resource for disaster response, emergency assistance, food, and housing needs. Funds would be distributed through community partners and other non-profit organizations who would provide the direct services to assist with the recovery efforts,” she said.
Family Promise of Butler County is part of a national network that helps homeless families.
The agency’s Executive Director, Jennifer Withrow, said the numbers of homeless people in Butler County is a problem.
MORE: Butler County nonprofit helps families out of homelessness
There are more than 775 children classified as homeless, meaning they live in cars, motels or “couch surf” among friends and family, she said.
On #Giving Tuesday, Withrow is hoping that people seeking to donate or volunteer with the organization.
New Life Mission in Hamilton has been serving those in need by providing food, groceries and other essential items,for nearly 50 years. But due to a major donor pulling financial support, the agency nearly had to close its doors.
MORE: New Life Mission will keep its doors open thanks to donors
Pastor Felix Russo, who took over as director of the New Life Mission one year ago, said thanks to many supporters in the community, the mission will be able to keep its doors open, but he’s hoping that Giving Tuesday will also be a time when people will continue to support the mission.
“We have to keep building on the momentum and try to sustain ourselves for the long-term,” he explained.
Russo said anyone who would like to help can make a tax deductible donation to the organization.
About the Author