As we pick our way through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, save some room in your budget for the one that perhaps matters most: Giving Tuesday. As described on givingtuesday.org, the idea is “a day that encourages people to do good.”

During last year’s event, data compiled through the site shows an estimated 35 million adults participated, with giving totaling $2.7 billion. That is an inspiring level of generosity to kick off a season during which we will be asked to give often. But “giving” can mean volunteering, too.

“This extraordinary show of generosity (in 2021) lit up the world against a backdrop of a dark two years. From every corner of the globe, there were countless amazing stories of kindness, connection and community. Giving Tuesday is joyful even at the darkest of times, and (Nov. 30, 2021) was about millions of people celebrating their ability to meaningfully impact their communities and the world,” said Asha Curran, co-founder and CEO of GivingTuesday. “Giving is an important metric of civic participation, a way to build the kind of society we want to live in. Our hope is that this boost of generosity is an inspiration for continued giving, kindness, and recognition of our shared humanity each day of the year.”

Of course we all know it doesn’t take a specially designated day to inspire the spirit of giving here in our Mahoning Valley. But if the idea of a Giving Tuesday provides an excuse to do or give a little extra, by all means, we should take advantage of it. Certainly the previous three days of shopping will have reminded us how blessed many of us are to be able to afford such a spending spree. We can’t let pass an opportunity to do something for those who are not so fortunate; nor can we forget the need does not go away once all these specially labeled days end.

Please, give on Tuesday, and then give what you can, all year long.

editorial@vindy.com