Oklahomans Prepare For 'Giving Tuesday'

Wallets and purses get squeezed this time of year, under the pressure of holiday shopping. There are now several days early in the season that target specific shopping trends.

It's also a time when many Oklahomans want to give to those less fortunate. And there's now a day for that.

It all starts with Thanksgiving, a day that traditionally was off limits to retailers. More and more, however, the line has been blurred, and we now have ‘Grey Thursday.'

12/1/2014 Related Story: 'Grey Thursday' Shoppers Out In Full Force Across OKC

Black Friday, which comes next, is, of course, the day that started it all; supposedly the busiest shopping day of the year.

11/28/2014 Related Story: Fewer Customers Turn Out For Black Friday Shopping In The Metro

The day that follows is now known as ‘Small Business Saturday,' and the Monday after Thanksgiving has taken on the moniker, ‘Cyber Monday,' as it is when online shopping is supposed to hit its peak.

After all this, weary shoppers may feel tempted to tuck their credit cards away for a long winter's nap, but one group is hoping you'll wait at least one more day.

"All we have heard about is advertisement, advertisement," said Marnie Taylor, President and CEO of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, an organization that provides training to charities from across the state.

Taylor and her staff have their pulse on the nonprofit world and know that many charitable organizations are counting on the least known of the holiday shopping days, known as 'Giving Tuesday,' to hit their annual fundraising goals.

"In the midst of all of [the holiday shopping frenzy] we have the wonderful opportunity to start focusing on others, rather than ourselves through Giving Tuesday," Taylor said.

Giving Tuesday is a national movement to raise money for charities, and Taylor said many will take in at least half of their annual donations during the holiday season.

"We feed a lot of people, so the need is ongoing," said Dawn Burroughs, spokeswoman for the Regional Food Bank of Central Oklahoma, one of the charities trying to raise awareness of Giving Tuesday.

And, while the Food Bank is counting on a flood of donations, they said giving to any cause would help the community.

"If it helps feed people, we are in favor of that, and so any way you can help and give back is appreciated," Burroughs stated.

This is third year for Giving Tuesday, and nonprofits hope it will be a record-breaking year.

"It's an opportunity to stop and reflect and think of a cause that you're passionate about," said Taylor.

To get the word out, many organizations are using social media, with the hash tag #givingtuesday.

Learn more about Giving Tuesday.