Black Friday is behind us, today is Cyber Monday and Tuesday is Giving Tuesday — 24 hours for residents to share their generosity this holiday season to nonprofits in need.

Last year locally over $30,000 was raised on this day, as coordinated by officials with the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan. Again this year CFNEM will coordinate the efforts for over 60 local organizations. CFNEM officials will use their accounting and computer assets to coordinate the fundraising blitz for all the local entities.

“As we move into the holiday season, we hope those living in northeast Michigan recognize that this is the time of year when the greatest demands are placed upon our local charitable organizations,” Barbara Frantz, CFNEM executive director, said.

And the organizations that hope to benefit from the generosity of local residents appreciate CFNEM’s willingness to assist “with the heavy lifting” of accounting and computer services that they, by themselves, could never achieve on their own.

“I think it’s wonderful  that the Community Foundation is taking the lead on this opportunity. Local nonprofits like the Children’s Advocacy Center don’t have the resources to run an online fundraising campaign at the end of the year, but really need the financial support,” said Kellie Sefernick, program coordinator for the Children’s Advocacy Center for Northeast Michigan. “I really hope the community will step up to make this a huge success.”

We do to — and we expect that will be the case.

Northeast Michigan residents always are generous, and this is the perfect opportunity to put a holiday twist to a meaningful contribution.