PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Jason Brudereck, Director of Communication, [email protected], 610.685.2223
BERKS NONPROFITS COLLABORATING ON ?GIVING TUESDAY? CAMPAIGN
READING, PA (Nov. 20) ? A coalition of 29 Berks County nonprofit organizations is embarking on a campaign to take part in the national Giving Tuesday movement, which culminates Dec. 2.
The coalition established www.GivingTuesdayBerks.com as a guide to those 29 nonprofits, ways Berks residents can help them and events being held during the campaign.
During the local campaign from Nov. 21 through Dec. 2, nonprofits will share messages about each other and about www.GivingTuesdayBerks.com. The campaign allows the Berks organizations to spend time and effort encouraging people to give to other organizations instead of solely to their own causes.
Several local school districts, churches and other groups have also agreed to share information about www.GivingTuesdayBerks.com.
This is the first time there has been a Berks-wide effort to take part in Giving Tuesday. The movement taps into holiday shoppers? sense, following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, that they should give back to their communities.
?At this time of year, our local nonprofit organizations need your help,? said Kevin K. Murphy, Foundation president. ?They do more than feed and clothe the poor. Our nonprofits organize community events. They revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods. They teach children how to be active, respect themselves and be respectful toward others. They provide learning opportunities for people of all means. They celebrate art and support artists.
?They care for sick and injured animals. They serve meals to the elderly and, yes, they feed and clothe the poor.?
Murphy appointed Jason Brudereck, Foundation communication director, to organize the effort.
?The campaign is designed to help you decide how to make a difference in Berks County by providing you with options,? Brudereck said. ?Use our campaign to make a difference in a stranger's life. Make a difference in your neighbor's life. Make a difference in your community, in your life.?
Leaders of local nonprofits are excited to be part of the campaign.
?Giving Tuesday allows nonprofits of all shapes and sizes to come together to raise not only funds for our community, but also awareness,? said Keri Shultz, Reading Musical Foundation president. ?The Reading Musical Foundation is looking forward to sharing our message beyond our typical audience, as well as sharing information about the great work of other organizations.?
?The Giving Tuesday Berks campaign combines the resources and talents of area nonprofits in the spirit of collaboration and holiday giving,? said Kimberly Rivera, executive director of Girls on the Run of Berks County. ?By working together, we increase our collective impact in our community.?
?GivingTuesdayBerks.com provides an intelligent way for Berks Countians to support organizations and projects of interest, and for those agencies to engage with donors new and old,? said Ryan A. Breisch, executive director of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks.
The Community Foundation plans to expand the initiative next year to include as many Berks nonprofits that want to participate.
Those who opted to participate this year:
? Animal Rescue League of Berks County
? BCTV
? Berks Coalition to End Homelessness
? Berks County Community Foundation
? Berks Encore
? Berks Visiting Nurse Association
? Bernadine Franciscan Sisters
? Bethany Children's Home
? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County
? Boyertown Area Multi-Service
? Building a Better Boyertown
? Children's Home of Reading
? Family Promise of Berks County
? Girls on the Run of Berks County
? Greater Berks Food Bank
? Hispanic Center
? John Paul II Center for Special Learning
? Literacy Council of Reading-Berks
? Mary's Shelter
? Miller-Keystone Blood Center
? Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart
? Olivet Boys & Girls Club
? Opportunity House
? Prospectus Berco
? Reading Musical Foundation
? Reading Public Library
? Studio B
? United Way of Berks County
? YMCA of Reading & Berks County
Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County. More information is available at www.bccf.org.