It's not just Black Friday anymore.
Black Friday was joined by Small Business Saturday, then Cyber Monday ... and, since 2012, Giving Tuesday.
"We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back," according to the website for the event, Givingtuesday.org. Each Tuesday after Thanksgiving -- and that's today -- "charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give, and to tell about it."
In Arkansas, various nonprofit agencies and organizations have been gearing up for Giving Tuesday for the past several weeks, sending out requests and reminders to donate today. Here are just a few seeking onetime and/or monthly support.
The Stars Come Out Inc.
Participating in Giving Tuesday for the first time is The Stars Come Out Inc., an organization that helps provide dance opportunities and education programs for children with disabilities and scholarships for promising dancers.
"We have set our goal at $15,000," says Carlette Henderson, who with husband Don founded the organization. "We believe that kids with special needs and disabilities and ... dancers in underserved communities, deserve to have equal access to dance."
Money raised will also be used to promote Let's Dance to Health Day, the major fundraiser of The Stars Come Out.
Henderson notes that Arkansas was recently ranked as having the highest adult obesity rate in the nation. "We are ... encouraging Arkansans to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintain good health," she says.
For more information about The Stars Come Out and Let's Dance to Health, visit letsdance2health.org.
Literacy Action of Central Arkansas
Literacy Action of Central Arkansas, whose tutors teach reading skills to students in seven counties, is taking its second turn with Giving Tuesday, according to executive director Sara Drew. "I hope to receive $1,000 or more," she says.
Money raised will be used for curriculum, supplies, testing and training tutors. Modern Dent Repair is matching up to $400 of donations made on Giving Tuesday, Drew says. To donate today, visit literacylittlerock.org.
Museum of Discovery
The Museum of Discovery is offering two ways to give today: via direct, online donations, and via Community Giving Day at Whole Foods Market. For the former, you need only go to museumofdiscovery.org. For the latter, do your shopping today at Whole Foods Little Rock. Five percent of all sales will benefit the museum.
Donations are used for educational outreach programs to Arkansas schools; museum memberships for low-income families; nutrition and medical care for one of the museum's exotic animals; current or forthcoming exhibits; and educational programs and events.
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Arkansas No Kid Hungry campaign work with schools to help alleviate hunger among students. Today, you can support the work of the alliance and your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by another, unnamed donor. Go to arhungeralliance.org and click the "donate now" link. Various amounts are suggested, along with what those amounts can do. For instance, $65 can sponsor one adult for a six-week Cooking Matters course offered by the alliance, while $250 can provide 87 meals to a child in an after-school program. Visit arhungeralliance.org.
Thea Foundation
All donations given today to Thea Foundation, an agency designed to help children "find confidence, self-worth and perspective" through arts-related activities, will go to Arkansas Children's Hospital's Artist in Residence program. Proceeds will pay for art supplies and instruments for therapists and patients. For more information and a link to the donation engine, visit theafoundation.org.
Acansa Arts Festival
Acansa, which hosts a five-day fall festival of visual and performing arts, is seeking Giving Tuesday donations for its festival-time educational efforts, including free actors' workshops, dance master classes, children's programs and lectures. Visit acansaartsfestival.org.
Go Near Ministry
"Usually, at this time of year, we would be planning our winter trip and team members would be raising support," according to information at Go Near Ministry, which provides aid to orphans, widows, prisoners, and the poor in Kenya. Instead, the ministry is seeking help for buying textbooks -- kindergarten through 12th grade -- and bunk beds for children who have been rescued and relocated to Star of Hope Academy in Kenya. Donors are asked to help Go Near reach its goal of 200 textbooks (at $18 each, $3,600) and 60 complete bunk bed sets (at $130 each, $7,800). Visit go-near.org/donate.
Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches
Today, Citizens Bank of Batesville will match every dollar -- up to $5,000 -- donated to Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches, which serves boys and girls who have been abandoned, abused or neglected. Donors can leave their gifts at any Citizens Bank location (see http://thecitizensbank.net/locator). They're also urged to encourage others, via social media, to donate.
In honor of Giving Tuesday, each online gift more than $50, and each new monthly Hope Builder partner, will receive one of the Ranches' 2015 license tags. Visit https://www.youthranches.com/contact/.
Central Arkansas Library System
The Central Arkansas Library System Foundation needs support for its educational and cultural programs, as well as books, materials and services. Online donations can be made anonymously or by name at www.cals.lib.ar.us/giving-tuesday.aspx.
Style on 12/01/2015