At the last City Council meeting on November 20, Councillors unanimously voted to proclaim today (November 28) Giving Tuesday after a request from Volunteer Airdrie.

Chair for Volunteer Airdrie Dave Maffitt was excited by the proclamation.

"We're very, very happy to get the support of City Council every year. I did watch the livestream recording of the City Council meeting where they proclaimed it, and there was a good amount of discussion about the importance of this event."

Maffitt explained Giving Tuesday, which comes on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is meant to kick off the giving season and turn the focus outward as people gear up for the holiday season.

"Giving Tuesday is a national giving day that was established in Canada in 2013 and I think a year before in the United States. It's a relatively new movement for online giving and volunteering."

Maffitt said five local charities are officially registered for Giving Tuesday, including the Airdrie Food Bank, Airdrie and District Victim's Assistance Society, Community Links, Hopewell Community Development Foundation and Volunteer Airdrie. Maffitt is hopeful that more of Airdrie's non-profits will register for the event.

Ultimately, Maffit believes Giving Tuesday is a great reminder that it is better to give than receive.

"What we're trying to do here is remind people it's time to look outwards and realize that there are other people and organizations that are in need, probably in greater need than ourselves."

 

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