Giving Tuesday Should be Every Day

Today is Giving Tuesday. After the money spent on Thanksgiving dinners and Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday deals, today is the day that you are encouraged to share a little of that money with a non-profit organization. If this past weekend has left your wallet a little slimmer, you may wonder why – or even how – you would give a donation now. Sure, giving to a good cause can leave you with warm, fuzzy feelings, but is the old saying, “it is better to give than to receive,” really true?

Here at Red Sage we believe that there is a lot of truth in that saying. We have watched our donations turn into technology, programs, and equipment for Decatur City Schools and have seen firsthand the results that they have had on the students. We have seen the exuberance of new Habitat for Humanity homeowners receiving the keys to a home they helped build. We’ve seen kids being given a chance at a more positive future through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Morgan County. We’ve watched entrepreneurs grow amazing companies through the support of the local Chambers of Commerce and the Women’s Business Center of North Alabama. We’ve even seen a lot of wagging tails over the years, as dogs and cats have found their forever homes.

In all of this giving, what have we received in return? A thriving business community that provides us with clients to work with. A strong school system and youth programs that are creating a talented generation of future workers and leaders. A community that we and others want to live in and are proud to support. Good feelings – ok. Better community – the real reason we do it.

2014 Red Sage Gives Back Campaign

So, on this Giving Tuesday, we would like you to join us in giving back. You can do it by voting in the 2014 Red Sage Gives Back Campaign, at the end of which we will be giving one local non-profit a $1,000 donation. We also encourage you to consider giving your own donation or volunteering with one or more of these wonderful groups. Money, time, and talents are all wonderful ways to give back on this Giving Tuesday and every day. Each of these non-profits has a “donate” button by their video. You will be giving directly to the non-profit.    

Meet this year’s nonprofits:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Morgan County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Morgan County serves Morgan, Lawrence, Cullman, and Winston Counties. The nonprofit mentoring program matches children (ages 5-15) with an adult volunteer giving these children a “friend” that will spend time with them and be a positive role model for them. In addition to one-on-one mentoring, BBBS also has a successful school-based mentoring program, TOPs (Teens Offering Partnerships) that pairs high school juniors and seniors with elementary and middle school aged children. Visit www.bbbsmcal.org to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Decatur Youth Symphony

The Decatur Youth Symphony provides music education to area students with almost 400 students actively involved in a DYS ensemble or other program. Thirty-eight percent of those students are classified as at-risk. Last year, DYS students gave a short concert at all six Title One elementary schools in Decatur, reaching approximately 1,500 students through the performances. In 2012, Decatur Youth Symphony established the “Breakfast with the Classics” program with 12 violins at Woodmeade Elementary School, a Title One school with an 82% poverty rate. This year, the program has 30 students. Visit www.decaturyouthsymphony.org to learn more about Decatur Youth Symphony.

Friends of Rescue

Friends of Rescue (FOR) is a 501c3 non-profit, non-breed-specific dog and cat rescue in North Alabama. The organization is run by volunteers and is supported by donations and fundraising efforts alone. All animals are kept in foster homes and not cages while they wait for their perfect forever homes. The organization spends approximately $14,000 a month in just vet bills. Last year, Friends of Rescue was able to save 650 animals, including many tough cases. This year, the organization has already saved 750 lives. Visit http://forrescue.net to learn more about Friends of Rescue.

Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County

Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County is a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in Morgan County. Through the support of local business, churches, and individuals, the organization builds affordable new houses, as well as repairs existing homes through its Brush with Kindness program. Habitat homeowners put in “sweat equity” to earn their homes and have to also attend financial classes.  Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County has built 71 homes since the chapter was formed and five familes have been able to pay off their mortgages early.  As of October 2014, Habitat for Humanity had served 1 million families worldwide.  Visit www.morganhabitat.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County.

Land Trust of North Alabama

Incorporated in 1987 as Alabama’s first land trust, the Land Trust of North Alabama connects people with nature and protects and stewards significant and vulnerable natural, scenic, and historic areas to help ensure these natural resources are preserved for many generations to come. This member-supported organization focuses on protecting North Alabama natural lands, scenic areas, fresh water resources, and wildlife habitat. The Land Trust of North Alabama has preserved more than 6,500 acres of land in North Alabama and has built 45 miles of trails that are open to the public. Visit http://landtrustnal.org to learn more about the Land Trust of North Alabama.

Rotary Club of Decatur Foundation

Part of the international Rotary Foundation, the Rotary Club of Decatur Foundation supports both local and international programs that promote education, health, and general community well-being. Locally, the Rotary Club of Decatur Foundation provides financial and volunteer support for Decatur City Schools, Committee on Church Cooperation (CCC), Carnegie Visual Arts Center, city redevelopment projects, Hospice of the Valley, Boys and Girls Club of Morgan and Lawrence Counties, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross Morgan-Lawrence County Chapter, the Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts, among others. Internationally, the Foundation is helping to eradicate polio and support programs that promote peace. Visit http://www.directory-online.com/websites/decatur-rotary/ to learn more about the Rotary Club of Decatur Foundation.

Theatre Huntsville

Theatre Huntsville is a very active volunteer theatre program located in Huntsville, Alabama that provides theatrical opportunities for local residents, as well as live performances of critically-acclaimed plays and musicals for the community. The goals of the organization is to foster, encourage, strengthen, and perpetuate member and civic interest in the legitimate theater and the dramatic arts. Theatre Huntsville produces six productions per year with seven performances of each production. Approximately 1,300 people attend each production and countless volunteer actors, producers, artists, and others participate in the program each year. Visit www.yourseatiswaiting.org to learn more about Theatre Huntsville.