The Evergreen State College has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will 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.

Carol Linnebur pictured with Debbie Garrington, Nate Bernitz, and Givhan Williams while spending an afternoon working at Thurston County Food Bank.

Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will 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. Taking place December 2, 2014 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national movement around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.
In collaboration with two other south Puget Sound institutions, St. Martins University and South Puget Sound Community College, Evergreen is organizing a campus food drive that benefits Evergreen students and local families on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th and staff from across campus have committed to join the effort. Stephen H. Buxbaum, Mayor of the City of Olympia, signed a #GivingTuesday Proclamation, and was joined by the City of Tumwater and City of Lacey, in aiding the three higher education partners in the effort.

According to Carol Linnebur, Alumni Programs Officer, who has has been coordinating efforts to bring the national day of philanthropy to Evergreen:

The Evergreen State College is proud to partner with Saint Martin’s University and South Puget Sound Community College for #GivingTuesday.  This national movement is a wonderful way to expand on the gratitude we all feel on Thanksgiving and during the holiday season.  Each campus has chosen to give back to their communities by organizing special giving opportunities including a food drive, blood drive, and professional clothing drive for job seekers.  The institutions are also encouraging individuals to give back on December 2nd by going to their website and give generously to the Annual Fund which provides needed scholarships for students.

For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website, Evergreen Facebook page, follow #GivingTuesday on Twitter, or check out the pictures on Instagram.

Evergreen, SPSCC, and Saint Martin’s staff take a break for a group picture while working at the Thurston County Food Bank.

#GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a global day of giving on December 2, 2014. This effort harnesses 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. #GivingTuesday will inspire 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 will harness the power of social media to create a global moment that is dedicated to giving around the world.