So. You got the best Black Friday deals and supported your favorite local businesses on Small Business Saturday. And, let’s face it, you have been getting the cyber deals since April because you shop online all day! How about Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world, is on Tuesday, November 29^th. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past ten years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. It is my hope that you will consider supporting a non-profit in Central Illinois to support. There are so many amazing organizations like Peoria Friendship House, Central Illinois Autism Association, Make-A-Wish, St. Jude that your donations will help support.

If you are looking for ideas, I would love for you to support Best Buddies mission of inclusion for people in Central Illinois with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with IDD.

Best Buddies mission of inclusion includes four pillars: One-To-One Friendships, Integrated and Competitive Employment, Leadership Development, and Inclusive Living.

Check out a list of ways you can show your support for diversity, equity, and inclusion in Central Illinois.

1. Make a donation on the Best Buddies Illinois donation site!
2. Click here and create a Facebook Fundraiser for Best Buddies! Tag @BestBuddiesIL in your post too! Feel free to share a story in your life and why you think inclusion is important for our friends and family with IDD.
3. Sign up for the 2023 Best Buddies in Central Illinois Friendship Walk! Create your team and ask friends to sign up or donate. This is a great way to get a head start on the new year!!!

And if you didn’t know, Best Buddies in Illinois is having a fun, random-acts-of-kindness, spirit week! Follow @BestBuddiesIL on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more info on our virtual get-togethers!

Be safe! Happy Holidays! And thank you for keeping inclusion alive in your community in Central Illinois!