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SHARE Omaha seeks donations, volunteers on Giving Tuesday

Posted at 7:04 PM, May 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-06 16:47:06-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Giving Tuesday is typically a day that follows the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. But national organizers thought we all could use a boost now.

SHARE Omaha is working to make donating and volunteering in the metro easy with a database of non-profits.

“I think it’s remarkable during this time when we are all affected that people are still raising their hands across the metro area,” said Marjorie Maas, Executive Director SHARE Omaha.

425 non-profit organizations support Omaha, there are 515 volunteer opportunities, and 1500 items you can buy online off local non-profit's wish lists.

“We know some people are unable to give cash donations at this time,” Maas said. “But they still want to be involved and still want to be generous. What we want to do is encourage people that if they can virtually volunteer, if they can collect items at home and securely drop them off at different locations across the metro, that definitely counts as far as that swell of generosity we are hoping to see.”

Many non-profits have pivoted their services online during this pandemic and that's where they need your help now too.

“If you’re skilled at website development,” Maas said. “Editing copy or editing letters, or you're skilled at donor management, there are non-profits that are seeking volunteers that want to do that type of skill.”

If you were planning on attending a gala or special event that was canceled, she says that's a great place to give.

“All of us have a backbone in this community that is supported by non-profit organizations,” Maas said. “We want to see those organizations as whole as possible when things return to a new normal.”

Omaha Community Foundation is working on it's annual 24-hour charitable giving challenge called Omaha Gives. SHARE Omaha and Omaha Community Foundation urge people to make a special effort between now and May 20 to volunteer and donate.