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Photo: Giving Tuesday Facebook
By Shane Clausing
Local Charities asking for help

Small local charities ask for public support during COVID-19 as Giving Tuesday arrives

May 5, 2020 | 6:00 AM

It is Giving Tuesday around the world.

For those familiar with the day, it usually happens annually the Tuesday after Black Friday.

The day is meant to raise awareness and ask citizens around the world to donate to local charities in their communities to help support them during the holiday season, as many charities see an increase in demand for their services.

This year, Giving Tuesday was pushed up from December to May to hopefully help charities around the world get a boost in funds earlier than normal, so they can continue to survive and operate during COVID-19.

Many small charities right here in Grande Prairie have been hit hard by the pandemic and many are asking for their communities help.

Corinne Patterson is the Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Grande Prairie and says that the demand for charities like Big Brothers Big Sisters has gone up, but money is not coming in.

“The need for our services have increased and we cannot do any fundraising. I anticipate losing about $1000 a day since mid-March when this whole thing started, just in fundraising.”

Patterson says that she and other charities in Grande Prairie are hoping that the Provincial and Federal Governments can expand their aid packages to include small charities like Bandaged Paws, Odyssey House, Rising Above, and Suicide Prevention. But so far there has not been any announcement regarding that.

Patterson adds money is tight for all of the small charities in the city and they all can benefit from any extra funds.

“Fundraising is what we need. We have four events between March and June that raise about 30-40 per cent of our budget for the year. All of those events had to be canceled, so we’re getting zero dollars in and a higher need for our service. “

“It’s just been a rough time all around for all of the smaller charities.”

There are many ways you can help donate to charities, most of them prefer that you donate on their website using cash donations.

Here is a list of small charities in Grande Prairie that could use donations:

by Shane Clausing