Riverside Foundation Joins the Global #GivingTuesday Movement Taking Place December 2
Riverside Foundation in Lincolnshire has joined #GivingTuesday, a global effort to harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners-charities, families, businesses and individuals-to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Taking place December 2, 2014 - the Tuesday after Thanksgiving - #GivingTuesday will use the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to the way in which Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are now synonymous with holiday shopping. The goal is to inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world.
Riverside Foundation is a not-for-profit social service agency that provides a loving home, the highest standard of care and a meaningful life experience for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at its residential facility in Lincolnshire and its work/activity center in Vernon Hills. This year, Riverside Foundation will expand its services to provide small group home living with staff support.
Riverside's participation began with an invitation from the Coleman Foundation to participate in their #GivingTuesday Matching Grant Program. Coleman Foundation, an independent grant making foundation that supports institutions providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities, has offered to match dollar for dollar any donations made online from new donors on #GivingTuesday up to a total of $15,000.
"We are asking the community to support Riverside in this wonderful opportunity for our clients," said Debbie Rogers, executive director of Riverside Foundation. "Our work with intellectually and developmentally disabled adults depends on our donors who make it possible to provide innovative programs, enhanced medical services and a safe, friendly environment. Our new expansion to small group home living means additional donor support will also help our adults succeed in a new, challenging lifestyle," Rogers added.
To participate, individuals are being encouraged to "like" Riverside on Facebook, follow Riverside on Twitter (@Riverside76) and make a donation on December 2, 2014 by visiting www.riverside foundation.net.
"By sharing their contributions with family and friends via social media, our hope is that news of these donations will go viral and encourage others to support #GivingTuesday," said Rogers.
Since #GivingTuesday began in 2012, the movement has expanded to more than 10,000 organizations.
#GivingTuesday is a counter narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism," said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation, a founding partner of the movement. "The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world."
To learn more about Riverside Foundation and #GivingTuesday visit www.riversidefoundation.net or call 847.634.3973.