Jared Daniels
Staff Writer
Today will be marked as the beginning of the giving season, as it is Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday has been an international holiday in which giving has been the main goal since its creation in 2012. This holiday was created by the United Nations and the 92nd Street Y, a world class cultural and community center, to encourage everyone to give to the less fortunate.
“It is a great opportunity to keep the doors open for non-profit businesses,” said Trey Sherwood, executive director at Laramie Main Street Appliance.
Sherwood said this is a great opportunity to show a holistic gratitude.
“It’s all about making a difference or supporting businesses that mean something to you,” said Sherwood.
The amount of donations for Giving Tuesday has increased each year since the conception of the holiday. The Giving Tuesday organization estimated that four hundred million dollars was donated in 2019. The organization had also said those donations created around 1.3 million gifts that supported those who are less fortunate.
Many businesses rely on donations in order to further their cause and existence, including Laramie Main Street Appliance. Laramie Main Street Appliance relies on these tax deductible donations as a non-profit organization; the goal of the organization is to increase the downtown economy and social stature while also maintaining downtown Laramie.
Laramie Main Street Alliance and the University of Wyoming are some of the many local organizations accepting donations.
This is the fourth annual Giving Day at UW. Last year the university raised more than one million dollars in a single day. The University of Wyoming uses the donations to further a part of the university made by the choice of the contributor.
Sherwood said Laramie is one of the poorest communities per capita due to its lack of natural resources, which is why this holiday is so critical.
