UIndy joins global #GivingTuesday movement

University of Indianapolis has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. A Perfect Match…Starts with You is a campaign that recognizes the strong connection University of Indianapolis students and alumni have to service and aims to give back to the kids at the Laurelwood housing community.

Occurring this year on November 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick-off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

The University of Indianapolis has partnered with the Laurelwood Community, a low-income Indianapolis community in the University’s neighborhood that is home to a unique after-school program operated in partnership with University of Indianapolis students and the YMCA. One of the most essential but often overlooked needs children may have is a good pair of socks. When a $25 gift is made to the University of Indianapolis on #GivingTuesday, the donor will receive custom UIndy socks and the University will donate a pair to the children at Laurelwood.

“Many of our students come to UIndy with little understanding of the surrounding communities and the harsh realities some of them face,” Marianna Foulkrod, Director of Service Learning & Community Engagement said. “The Laurelwood Community after-school program allows UIndy students to apply the knowledge they learn in school to serve others and themselves. UIndy students gain skills that help them be engaged, responsible citizens while socializing the little ones to the idea of college. With your support we can better our chances of helping UIndy students truly engage in learning through service, and helping the communities surrounding our campus.”

Those who are interested in joining the University of Indianapolis’ #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.uindy.edu/givingtuesday. For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org).

About #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give—the 2016 iteration will be held on November 29, 2016. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners—nonprofits, businesses and corporations as well as families and individuals—to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season.

#GivingTuesday inspires people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday harnesses the power of social media to create a global movement dedicated to giving around the world.

Website: www.uindy.edu/givingtuesday

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UIndyAlumni/

Twitter: twitter.com/UIndyAlumni