#GivingTuesday, a day when you can make a difference

 

[November 27, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

Since 1952, 'Black Friday,' the day after Thanksgiving, has marked the unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Historically, Black Friday has been one of the busiest shopping days of the year, offering various sales with limited amounts of inventory.

Black Friday, however, is slowing losing its momentum due to extended store hours, sales lasting longer, and the addition to the calendar of Cyber Monday.

Created in 2005 by marketing companies, 'Cyber Monday,' encouraged people to shop online. It takes place on the Monday after Thanksgiving and has become the online equivalent to Black Friday.

However, some people who have watched the exponential billions and billions of dollars spent on these two days want to share their resources in a more positive way.

Founded at New York’s 92nd Street Y in 2012, '#GivingTuesday,' which comes after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, kicks off the charitable season.

#GivingTuesday is designed to meet the needs of a young generation who does everything online. It connects social media and the generosity of people to bring about change in their community. It provides an opportunity for people to commit time, resources, and talents bringing together the collective power of nonprofits, civic organizations and businesses.

Entering its seventh year, #Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that allows people a tangible way to say, “I’m going to share my resources in the best way I can.”

This national day of generosity offers an opportunity for local supporters to give in a concrete way to several organizations:

• Christian Horizons, Inc.;

• Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois,

• Lincoln College,

• Lincoln Elementary School District 27,

• United Way of Logan County,

• Lincoln Christian University

#GivingTuesday is a way to provide a year end gift to further the work of these great organizations.

According to Tracy Thomas, LCU Partnership Development Representative, #GivingTuesday is a way for alumni and supporters to promote the kingdom mission in a very tangible way. When students enroll at Lincoln Christian University it is impossible to know where God will lead each student, but it is the role of the school to be sure the student is “mission ready” to respond when the time comes to go. In order to have Bible-educated, seminary-trained ministers, professors, and missionaries, LCU needs generous support.

Thomas, along with his team: Norman McCormick, Billie Jarvis-Freeman and Nathan Roberts, are working hard to make #GivingTuesday 2018 the greatest in LCU’s history.

The gifts on #GivingTuesday go to where the partner feels it best. Any partner who gives to the school has the ability to share what they would like the gift to be used for: scholarships, endow a faculty position, or give toward a project. LCU leaders do their best to accommodate the givers requests.

A huge part of #GivingTuesday gifts go to “Mission Ready: A Lincoln Christian University Campaign.” Thomas explained that there are three initiatives to the campaign:

1. Operational: LCU has a 2020 vision to produce 1,500 workers to serve in the church and the world.

• Because students are the heart of the school, it is important to keep the costs for them to attend to a minimum.

• Fund enhancement is necessary to recruit, retain, and mentor high quality faculty and staff.

• LCU’s China Institute and English Language Academy are an integral part of LCU and funding is necessary to keep them functioning.

2. Capital: The need for repairing the building infrastructure is important for the students and the community.

• The Chapel at LCU is the centerpiece of campus, but has received very little renovation since it was built in 1972. Alumni Hall, the residence hall for men is even older than the Chapel.

• Additionally, the ever-changing technology infrastructure needs to be updated. It is not only important for the students on campus, but for the online students who rely on technology for learning.

• Finally, the vehicles need to be updated to ensure that traveling students are safe. Student recruiters, athletes, preachers, and musicians rely on vehicles for kingdom work.

3. Endowment: Lincoln Bible Institute started in 1944 with a dream. For many years there was no endowment for LBI and leadership has been working hard to build an endowment that would reduce reliance on tuition, fees, and gifts.

LCU is asking partners to share a challenge grant, to give a gift and challenge others to match (individually or collectively).

While most #GivingTuesday gifts are small, $20 or $50, this year LCU has already had four individuals giving a total of $40,000, which have been used as a challenge match. To give is easy: go to lincolnchristian.edu/giving, choose the amount you wish to donate, select “Giving Tuesday appeal” on the scroll down menu and leave a comment, especially if you need to let leadership know you have a heart for a particular area.

May #GivingTuesday 2018 be “a day of jubilant celebration for the generous outpouring of monetary support to LCU and the Kingdom of God that comes from LCU alumni and supporters” (Warren A. Knowles, LCU Alum (one class) of 1971).

Of course you can give to your favorite charity any day of the year. #Giving Tuesday is just a great feel good reminder to help where you want to help.

[Lisa Ramlow]