Everyone knows about “Black Friday.” It’s the official holiday shopping kick-off when there are great deals to be had.
“Small Business Saturday” is when community members are reminded to support their hometown, home-owned business in their very own neighborhoods. They are encouraged to shop local rather than spending their money with big box stores who traditionally don’t give back to area schools, churches, and community events. Statistics show that for every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, approximately $68 will stay in the community. If you spend that same $100 at a national chain, less than half, only about $43 stays in your community. This year, with COVID, it appears that even more people were trying to shop local not only on Small Business Saturday, but more regularly every day.
Then of course, there is Cyber Monday. That’s when they say you can find some of the hottest deals online. According to an article in the Washington Post, Americans spent a record-breaking $10.8 billion online on this day this year.
But now there is another day that is gaining popularity as well. Like the others, however, it’s not about finding the best places to save money, but instead, the best places to GIVE money. “Giving Tuesday” is about making charitable contributions to your favorite organizations. Many give money to churches, shelters, research-based organizations, and more. One such local organization that was new to the list asking for people to consider giving money to was the Eagle Grove chapter of Dollars for Scholars (DFS), a community organization dedicated to providing scholarships to our local youth. While they have always encouraged individuals, alumni classes, and businesses to contribute, this year they made it even easier for people near and far to make donations great or small through the Giving Tuesday Scholarship campaign…because every dollar helps.
On “Giving Tuesday,” people could log onto https://secure.givelively.org/donate/eagle-grove-area-dollars-for-scholars website and simply click a button to make their donation. It worked similar to that of the Go Fund Me website.
“We are trying a new thing. It’s exciting to participate in Giving Tuesday…because it’s something we can do right now for the kids in our community,” said DFS representative Sarah Teeselink in an interview before the event.
She is proud to say that people did not disappoint and there were many who gave from the heart. A total of $647 was donated that will go towards providing scholarships for the 2021 graduates of Eagle Grove High School.
But it’s not to late to still make a donation if you were unable to on Giving Tuesday. you may also mail in contributions to Eagle Grove Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 262, Eagle Grove, IA 50533.Please include a note that says money is specified for “Giving Tuesday” Campaign.
Any graduate of the Eagle Grove Community High School is eligible to receive funding. All students sincerely seeking to further their education beyond high school are encouraged to apply. Recipients are determined by the local chapter’s awards committee. Using a point system, the committee anonymously scores the applications and assigns awards. The scholarships are presented at Senior Recognition Night held in May.
