NEWBERRY COUNTY — In 2012 Giving Tuesday was created as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good, according to givingtuesday.com.
“Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity,” the website states.
According to the website, over 400 million dollars was given online last year during Giving Tuesday.
Here in Newberry County, there are numerous options for people to donate to — you name it Newberry County probably has a nonprofit organization you would be interested in supporting.
Here are just a few examples:
Newberry College
“We are absolutely promoting Giving Tuesday as an option for a tax deductible, charitable gift to support students, faculty and programs here at Newberry College,” said Lori Ann Summers, vice president of Institutional Advancement.
Summers added that people typically give to Newberry College because of a connection to the college.
“They believe in our well-rounded education, with vocation, purpose and passion,” Summers said.
Summers said for the community as a whole, the college has an economic impact on the City of Newberry.
“For Newberrians who appreciate the economic value we bring to the community, even if they are not connected to the college,” she said. “We are a very diverse community, a lot of our students being first generation students. We recently ranked number one in social mobility by U.S. News and World Report. If you care about providing an opportunity for students in South Carolina, social mobility, care about what our students and faculty provide to our city, please give to Newberry College. Together, we continue to make an impact on our community.”
To give to Newberry College, you can do so by texting NCANNUALFUND to 41444, give online, newberry.edu/giving or by mailing a check (with Giving Tuesday in the memo line) to Newberry College c/o Institutional Advancement, 2100 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108. You can also call Associate Director of Advancement Services Sarah Dougherty at 803-321-5147 and give over the phone.
Newberry County Family YMCA
“The Newberry YMCA is very excited to participate in Giving Tuesday. As a not-for-profit organization we strive to serve the community while often charging reduced fees to those in need through our financial assistance program. Contributions are an integral part of allowing us to perform this outreach and impact the lives of the families that we serve. Any contribution is a tremendous asset by helping us fulfill our mission,” said Scott Sandor, CEO of the Newberry County Family YMCA.
Angela Reid, board member, said having a strong YMCA creates strong communities, and that has been proven nationwide.
To give to the YMCA, you can visit their website, www.newberryymca.org and click “give.” Checks (with Giving Tuesday in the memo line) will also be accepted by mail or dropping them off at 8220 Jollystreet Road, Newberry, SC 29108.
Newberry County Humane Society
Stephanie Bigler, treasurer of the Newberry County Humane Society, said they will be raising money for their spay and neuter program and medical treatments for animals. These programs will help keep animals out of the shelter and make as many pets as adoptable as possible.
“Many may be unaware, but your Newberry County Humane Society will pay for spaying and neutering of animals, to help decrease the pet population and keep unwanted litters out of the shelter — and as strays,” she said. “We assist with the medical treatments of the animals that arrive to the shelter — to help ensure they can be adopted as happy and healthy pets.”
Bigler said half of what is raised on Giving Tuesday will go to their spay and neuter program and the other half will go towards medical assistance for the shelter animals.
To give to the Newberry County Humane Society, you can call Bigler at (803) 537-9518 and give over the phone, or mail checks (with Giving Tuesday in the memo line) to PO Box 485, Newberry, SC 29108. You can also give via Facebook — www.facebook.com/newberrycountyhumanesociety/.
Newberry County Literacy Council
Barbara Chapman, director of the Literacy Council, said they have been serving the community for more than 40 years.
“The Literacy Council helps increase the reading levels of youths in our county. We work to enhance financial literacy and health literacy for the betterment of Newberry County. Financial gifts to the Newberry County Literacy Council ensures that we can continue to provide valuable services to our community,” she said.
While the Literacy Council will be accepting financial contributions on Giving Tuesday, Chapman said they also have a donation wish list:
• USB flash drives.
• Copy paper – white and pastel.
• Card stock – white.
• Mechanical pencils.
• Dry erase board markers and erasers.
• Toilet tissue.
• Paper towels.
To give to the Literacy Council, you can visit their website, newberryliteracycouncil.webs.com — scroll down to donate. You can also mail checks (with Giving Tuesday in the memo line) to PO Box 566 Newberry, SC 29108. You can also call (803)-276-8086 and give over the phone.
Newberry County Young Life
“I personally feel like an advocate for Young Life, I was such a beneficiary of the Young Life ministry in my hometown. I know the impact that it can have and I see our volunteer leaders making the same impact with the high schools here in Newberry County,” said Area Director Cole Harper. “There is nothing better that can happen for a teenager than for a Young Life leader to show up in their life.”
Young Life has been in Newberry County for 27 years now. Harper said the coolest thing for him, not being from Newberry, when asked at a banquet for everyone to stand up who has been impacted by Young Life, seeing the number of people to do so.
“This has a big impact in our community, and it can continue to have an even greater impact with help,” he said. “When you give, it empowers us to send caring adults to the teenagers in our community. Sometimes that means supplies for club, shirts for camps, sometimes that means camp scholarships.”
Harper said 100 percent of the money they raise goes to the mission of introducing young people to Jesus Christ, and help them grow their faith. All high school aged students are welcome to any Young Life Club, Harper said it is not just for students at Newberry High School or Mid-Carolina High School.
To donate to Newberry County Young Life, you can go online to newberry.younglife.org and click “give.” If you’d like to donate cash or check (with Giving Tuesday in the memo line) you can call Harper at 803-394-7539.
Newberry Opera House
“#GivingTuesday is unique in that it gives us another way to think about the giving season,” says Anne Smith, director of Development for the Newberry Opera House. “At the Newberry Opera House, we aim to ensure everyone has access to the arts, no matter their background or income.”
Smith added that with a poverty rate of 53.3 percent in Newberry County Schools, the need for Newberry arts for all is real, but so are the possibilities. Newberry Opera House programs, such as Astronaut Camp and monthly performances for all Newberry County fourth graders, provide opportunities for children to engage with the community, expand their social and academic foundations, and acquire new skills to help them achieve their full potential.
Molly Fortune, executive director of the Newberry Opera House, is asking the community to rally around their efforts.
“We are particularly interested in making an impact in the lives of our youth who lack accessibility to the arts, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and other outlets outside of sports. #GivingTuesday provides you an opportunity to join us in that effort,” she said.
You can give to the Opera House via their website, newberryoperahouse.com and clicking “donate.” Gifts can also be dropped off, by cash or check (with Giving Tuesday in the memo line), at the Newberry Opera House (1201 McKibben Street, Newberry, SC 29108). The staff of the Newberry Opera House can also process a credit card on that day.
The Opera House also request that you join them for a Facebook Live event at 9:00 a.m. on December 3 to see young, talented musicians perform on the Newberry Opera House stage.
Other Nonprofits
This is of course a small taste of the many nonprofits located in Newberry County. Contributions can also be made to local churches for Giving Tuesday (see our Faith page for a list in Newberry County). Vets on a Mission may also be a good nonprofit you’d consider contributing (vetswithamission.org).
The Newberry County Chamber of Commerce has a list of a few other nonprofits located in Newberry County, with contact information. You can see that list by visiting this link, newberrycountychamber.com/nonprofit.