American Red Cross urges gift of time for ‘Giving Tuesday’

SALT LAKE CITY — If you are considering a service project as a way to participate in ‘Giving Tuesday,’ representatives from the American Red Cross say they have several suggestions.

Created in part by the United Nations Foundation, ‘Giving Tuesday’ emphasizes a day for charitable actions after several days (Black Friday, etc.) focused on spending and buying.

“Giving Tuesday … is a global effort to encourage everyone to come together and contribute to those in need,” said Heidi Ruster, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region in a press release.

The opportunity to provide help for those in need seems to have hit a cord with Americans, especially in 2021 when officials from the organization said 35 million adults participated in Giving Tuesday and donated nearly ten percent more than was donated in 2020.

How you can help on Giving Tuesday

The American Red Cross says there are multiple ways that Utahns can contribute. You can

• volunteer,
• give blood or platelets, or
• donate.

One of the most recent examples of how the American Red Cross helps Utahns in need comes from a large and devastating fire in Sugar House. 

A fire in Richfield, Utah just last week also provides an example of how the Red Cross helps Utahns when they are most in need.

And donations from Utahns help the national Red Cross, too.  Local donations go toward food and shelter for people across the country who are impacted by floods and hurricanes.

“… we can’t do our work without the contributions of others,” Ruster said in a press release. “… we’re there because so many people are willing to find a way to donate to our efforts.”

Related reading:

• Utah Red Cross announces new partnership to encourage blood donations
• Red Cross says now is the time to prepare for emergencies

Follow @SimoneSeikaly