Black Friday is behind us, Small Business Saturday is today, Cyber Monday arrives in two days, and Tuesday will be Giving Tuesday — 24 hours for residents to share their generosity this holiday season to local nonprofits in need.

Now in its fifth year, Giving Tuesday five years ago raised a little over $30,000 in Northeast Michigan. Last year, donations skyrocketed to $156,000. Contributions like that can make a huge difference in our region.

“Last year, we were floored when over $156,000 was raised in just 24 hours,” said Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan Executive Director Patrick Heraghty.

“We are really excited that out of the 60 nonprofits participating this year, 19 of those are organizations that have never participated in Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan,” said Christine Hitch, CFNEM Marketing Communications Director.

To assist the local nonprofits, CFNEM officials provide their website as a portal through which residents and guests can donate to various organizations. CFNEM does so at no charge to assist the local nonprofits thrive and collect all the donation money for themselves.

“This is a great opportunity for nonprofits to mobilize their supporters and rally them around their organization,” said Heraghty.

This year’s participating nonprofits come from Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Presque Isle counties.

We hope residents will take advantage of this special day and give generously to the wonderful nonprofits participating with CFNEM.

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

(THE ALPENA NEWS)