Black Friday backlash leads to increase in ‘giving’

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Shoppers dropped billions on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year, but the frenzy of consumerism has led to a growing movement meant to be a counterpoint to all that holiday spending.

Today, Canadians are being urged to celebrate giving in whatever way is meaningful for them.

Giving Tuesday started in Canada in 2012 and has now spread around the world, with organizers The GIV3 Foundation and CanadaHelps pointing to a 205 per cent increase in the value of donations over the last couple of years.

“Today is a day for giving … it’s really that simple,” says GIV3 executive director Woodrow Rosenbaum. “When we started out, we were excited, but we didn’t expect it to take off the way it has.”

This year, there are over 4,300 partners involved with Giving Tuesday from coast to coast, with 600 charities and other organizations in BC and 220 in Vancouver alone.

“Giving in Canada has grown even more remarkably [than spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday],” Rosenbaum tells NEWS 1130. “The growth has been incredible and we think today is going to be even bigger.”

Giving Tuesday is increasingly seen as a time to turn your attention to your community and support the charities of your choice.

“On our website, you can browse an interactive map and find opportunities to give in your neighbourhood. You’ll see that there are charities of every size and type, along with business and other organizations. There are as many ways to get involved as there are organizations and people,” he says.

“There is also an official Giving Tuesday Vancouver movement started by the Vancouver Foundation. The mayor is on board, proclaiming Giving Tuesday this year.”

The impact of Giving Tuesday goes well beyond charitable donations, meant to inspire generosity in all its forms. Throughout the holiday giving season, Canadians are encouraged to volunteer their skills, give blood, hold clothing drives, help at a local food bank, talk with their kids about philanthropy, or spread the word on social media.

“We’re so excited to see the momentum,” says Marina Glogovac, president and CEO of CanadaHelps. “With so many partners and civic groups working together, participation is at its highest level ever. Thank you to every Canadian who is getting involved this year and making a commitment to giving back.”

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today