November 2, 2022 Bethpage

Students Recognized In National Merit Scholarship Program

Five seniors from Bethpage High School were recently honored in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. Georgia Karaisarides was named a National Merit semifinalist, while

Manuel Jimenez, Nicholas Karaisarides, Sophia Passaro and Megan Selwin were recognized as Commended Students. Each student was selected based on their exceptional scores on the

2021 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last year.

As a semifinalist, Georgia is among 16,000 students representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors who are in the running for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships. Her next step is to become a National Merit finalist. More than 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level. Georgia and a school official will need to submit a detailed scholarship application highlighting her academic record, extracurricular activities, leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards. To become a finalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn high SAT or ACT scores. Georgia will find out in February if she

has advanced to the finalist round.

Her brother Nicholas, along with Manuel, Sophia and Megan, received Letters of Commendation for their outstanding academic promise. They are among 34,000 of the

approximately 50,000 students who were deemed high scorers on the PSAT/ NMSQT. Although they will not continue in the 2023 competition, some Commended Students become candidates for special scholarships

sponsored by corporations and businesses.

The Bethpage Union Free School District congratulates these seniors and wishes Georgia the best of luck as she continues in the competition.

NAMED A SEMIFINALIST - Bethpage High School senior Georgia Karaisarides (left) was named a semifinalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. Pictured with her guidance counselor Jay Benjamin (right).

NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS - From left, Bethpage High School guidance counselors Meg Scanlon and Jennifer Payne, National Merit Commended Students Megan Selwin, Nicholas Karaisarides, Manuel Jimenez and Sophia Passaro, National Merit Semifinalist Georgia Karaisarides and her guidance counselor Jay Benjamin.

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Turkey is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinners.

The National Turkey Federation estimates approximately 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving each year, followed by 22 million turkeys at Christmastime.

Turkey makes a pleasing picture on the dinner table. However, some people insist that turkey is their least favorite component of the Thanksgiving meal. One of the biggest complaints is turkey tends to be dry.

There are many reasons why turkey can come out dry. Turkey is lean meat, and Healthline reports that turkey has slightly less fat in its dark meat than chicken. Another reason why turkey may be dry is due to its poor breast-toleg ratio. By the time one gets the leg meat to cook to temperature so it’s safe for consumption, the breast meat often has dried out. Seeing how many people

How To Avoid Dry Turkey This Thanksgiving

dive for the breast meat initially, they could dish up some dry bird.

There are many ways home cooks can prevent dry turkey this Thanksgiving. Consider these turkey-tending tips.

• Brine your bird.

According to ScienceBlogs, what causes a human to perceive food as juicy may actually be his or her own saliva at work. Salty foods may stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth, helping the food to feel much more moist while on the palate. To adequately inject enough salt into the turkey meat, submerge it in a salt brine for a few days before cooking.

• Watch your cook time. It’s important to avoid overcooking the turkey, which will turn it as dry as the Sahara. Some turkeys come equipped with popup timers to help cooks gauge when to take them out of the oven. However,

a more accurate tool is a digital food thermometer that can be set to go off when the turkey reaches the correct internal temperature.

• Cook the turkey parts separately. As previously noted, the breast meat will likely reach the desired

temperature before the leg meat. To fix this, take the turkey out of the oven when it reaches five to 10 degrees before the safe temperature for the breast meat, around 165 F. (Remember, the meat will continue to cook while “resting.”) Let guests “ooh

and aah” over the pictureperfect turkey. Then cut off the legs and return them to the oven until they are done. Arrange the properly cooked breast and leg meat together on a serving platter.

• Offer condiments. A moist dollop of stuffing, a

drizzle of gravy, or a scoop of cranberry sauce can add moisture to turkey. This approach does not prevent drying out, but it can make a turkey that has dried out a bit more satisfying.

Northwell Opens Multidisciplinary Practice In Bethpage

Northwell Health has opened a $1.8 million, 9,428-square-foot multidisciplinary practice located at 4070 and 4072 Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage. The two-suite site provides a number of specialty services including obstetrics and gynecology, primary care, and laboratory services.

The Northwell Health Physician Partners site in Bethpage includes two suites. Suite 4070 houses a fullservice point of care testing facility where patients can have blood drawn and have other laboratory specimens collected.

“We are pleased to announce that along with providing multidisciplinary specialties at the Bethpage site, we also have a patient service center in our new facility in the community,” said Joseph Castagnaro, vice president of Northwell’s laboratory services integration and operations. “Our patient service center offers comprehensive services including COVID-19 testing as well as routine specimen collection bringing convenience to the level of care that Northwell Health provides. Our large multi-draw site with highly trained phlebotomists will ensure the specimen collection process is safe, quick and comfortable. We

pride ourselves in ensuring that our patients and families always have a satisfactory experience with short wait times.”

For more information on patient service center testing at the Bethpage location please visit: www.northwell. edu/labs

The second suite located at 4072 Hempstead Turnpike, is a hub for multidisciplinary care that includes: OB/GYN, urology, endocrinology, primary care, general surgery, dermatology, x-ray testing, electrocardiograph (ECG) testing, ultrasound testing, fetal biophysical profile testing and diabetes education. The suites have fourteen exam rooms in total, and one specialty room designated for chest x-rays.

“The new location in Bethpage is designed to meet many of the health care needs of the community,” said Joseph Baglio, senior vice president of Northwell’s Eastern region ambulatory services. “This site not only provides primary care, OB/ GYN, urology and endocrinology specialists, but it also has a patient service center testing facility. This location gives patients a wide range of high-level medical care that’s close to home”

NORTHWELL OPENS MULTIDISCIPLINARY PRACTICE - Northwell Health has opened a $1.8 million, 9,428-square-foot multi-disciplinary practice located at 4070 and 4072 Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage.

BETHPAGE SOUTH BAY’S

Bethpage Middle Schoolers Learn To Be Mindful Online Citizens

Bethpage students from John F. Kennedy Middle School received valuable guidance and advice related to technology and social media from author Katie Duffy Schumacher. Duffy Schumacher founded Don’t Press Send, a campaign to help children navigate the dos and don’ts of social media.

Through her presentation “Mindful Approach to Social Media,” JFK Middle School

students learned how social media can negatively impact one’s mental wellbeing and future if they are not careful with what they are sharing. She asked the middle schoolers to be mindful and to think before they send anything.

“Choose carefully what you put out there because it greatly affects others,” she told them.

Throughout the presentation, Duffy Schumacher encouraged

the students to use social media with good intent and taught them healthy habits when navigating technology. This included setting a time each day to put your phone away and taking away access to your phone at night when you are asleep. Students also learned ways to keep their personal information safe and received red rubber bracelets as a reminder to be smart online citizens.

DON’T PRESS SEND - Don’t Press Send founder Katie Duffy Schumacher visited John F. Kennedy Middle School to speak with students about the dangers of social media and how to be a smart online citizen. Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

A VISIT FROM AUTHOR KATIE DUFFY SCHUMACHER - Bethpage students at John F. Kennedy Middle School received a visit from author Katie Duffy Schumacher (middle) who shared her mindful approach to social media. Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bethpage Senior Receives Perfect Score On AP Exam

Senior Athanasia Panagos from Bethpage High School accomplished an impressive feat for any student. She received a perfect score on the college-level Advanced Placement Research Exam in the spring of 2022. Panagos earned the maximum AP score of a 5 and was one of only 306 students in the world to earn every point possible on the exam.

Her AP Research project was entitled “The Fluidity of Inherent Human Behavior and the Effects of Environmental Factors on Altruism and Greed.” The purpose of her study was to “determine whether human behavior is inherently or predisposed to greed or altruism, as well as if human nature is influenced by its environment.”

Upon learning of Panagos’ outstanding achievement, her AP

Research teachers Kristen Garvey and Nicole Dulaney were thrilled.

“It is such an honor for Athanasia to be recognized as one of the top 306 AP Research papers, especially because there were 26,958 papers submitted globally,” said Garvey. “Athanasia was very passionate about her topic from the beginning of the year, and I am so proud of her and that her hard work paid off.”

Dulaney added that it was extremely rewarding watching Athanasia develop a valuable skillset by designing and implementing an original research project.

“I am confident she will continue to utilize these skills in both college and her career, and I look forward to her future success,” she said.

The Bethpage Union Free School District congratulates Panagos on this high honor.

SENIOR RECEIVES PERFECT SCORE ON AP EXAM - Bethpage High School

senior Athanasia Panagos (second from left) earned a perfect score on the AP Research Exam. Pictured with AP Research teachers Kristen Garvey (left) and Nicole Dulaney (second from right) and Director of Science K-12 and Data Protection Officer Chris Pollatos (right). Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Happy Thanksgiving

BETHPAGE SOUTH BAY’S NEIGHBOR

Town Partners With Community Group To Collect Peanut Butter

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand announced that the Town will partner with the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club to host a peanut butter collection drive. Residents are invited to donate new, unopened and sealed peanut butter to help replenish local food pantries and support families in need. Dropoff containers are located at Town Halls North and South, as well as at the Town Ice Skating Center.

“We are proud to partner with this great organization to help ‘spread the love’ and stock local food pantry shelves with this very popular product,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Peanut butter has a long shelf life, provides many nutrients and doesn’t require refrigeration, making it among the most highly requested items from local food banks. We thank the Massapequa

Farmingdale Men’s Club for again putting our local communities first with another wonderful initiative to help others.”

The Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club mission is to provide and encourage involvement in education, charitable and social programs for the men of local communities, and to support the local and wider community with activities and contributions.

“The MassapequaFarmingdale Men’s Club has been assisting local foodbanks for more than five years, especially during the most trying times at the height of the COVID pandemic,” said Councilman Hand. “Like all of the organization’s endeavors, proceeds from this event go entirely to help those in need.”

The Peanut Butter Collection Drive will run through November 15th. Drop off bins are located

during regular business hours at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay), Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa) and the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center (1001 Stewart Ave, Bethpage).

“Our organization has worked to help the local and greater community for several years, and we are thrilled to once again partner with the Town of Oyster Bay to supply this much-needed item to local food pantries,” said Tom Sabellico, president and founder of the Men’s Club. “We’ve run many successful food drives and have found over the years that local food banks like peanut butter thanks to it being easy to use, it keeps a long time, provides a variety of nutrients, is high in protection and is enjoyed by all age groups.”

For more information about the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s

Club and their mission, visit www.massapequa farmingdalemensclub. com.

For more information about the Peanut Butter Collection Drive and other Town programs, visit the

Town’s website at www. oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 624-6380.

THE

of the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce,

MESSAGE

to the Bethpage Community. Your support for the

and

fun to see

and

we did for Memorial Day, we

be putting up

local veteran heroes in the coming week to celebrate Veterans Day and to show our appreciation. If you have a family member from the Bethpage Community who is a veteran and you would like to have a banner made for them, please contact the Chamber.

Next up are the Holidays and we will kick this off with our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony will start at 5pm on Sunday, December 4th. There will be music and dancing performed in the street, live animals, hay rides, the lighting of our town tree, and finally a visit from Santa getting a ride to town from our own Bethpage Fire Department. Bring the family and join in the festivities.

Your patronage, along with our major sponsors, Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Steel Equities, helps the Chamber pay for all the events it runs throughout the year. This includes Music on Broadway, Seasonal Fairs, Parades, and Holiday Festivities, not to mention scholarships for Bethpage High School graduates. Your Chamber also decorates the town with flags on all patriotic holidays and we display wreaths, a Menorah, and a Christmas Tree for the winter holidays. This year’s tree has been sponsored by Cool Solutions.

This is our local community and we love it! Let’s keep it this way by continuing to support our local businesses.

Sincerely, Don Schiavetta President Bethpage Chamber of Commerce

Crustless Pie A Treat For Those With Gluten Intolerance

The holiday season is a popular time to entertain. Food is often a focal point of the holiday season entertaining. Individuals who navigate food allergies or intolerances may shy away from certain celebrations out of fear that a nibble of this or a bite of that may trigger an allergic response. In such instances, concern about ingredients can cast a pall over normally festive occasions. Those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances must be mindful of the foods they consume. Meals or desserts containing gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, semolina, rye, barley, graham, spelt, farina, and more, can trigger intestinal distress and other symptoms. With delicious pies, cakes, and cookies on the holiday serving table, gluten is likely to make an appearance. However, with careful planning, people who cannot stomach foods that contain gluten can still indulge in their favorite holiday flavors. “Crustless Libby’s® Famous Pumpkin Pie” is a variation of traditional pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Without the crust, individuals who avoid gluten can still dive into that pumpkin-andspice combination that’s so popular around the holiday season. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of Libby’s® Pumpkin.

Libby’s®

Pumpkin Pie

Directions:

1. Preheat oven as directed below. Glass baking dishes without crustrequire a cooler oven, and in mostcases, a longer baking time.

2. Spray baking dish with nonstickcooking spray or lightly greasebottom of baking pan or baking dish.

3. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, gingerand cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggsin a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin andsugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir inevaporated milk.

4. Bake as directed below or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

5. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Cooking times

9-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F;bake for 55 to 60 minutes

10-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F;bake for 45 to 50 minutes

8-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bakefor 45 to 50 minutes

9-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bakefor 35 to 40 minutes

8-inch-square baking pan: 350 F;bake for 45 to 50 minutes

8-inch-square glass baking dish: 325 F; 50 to 60 minutes

9-inch-square baking dish: 350 F;bake for 35 to 40 minutes

11x7-inch glass baking dish: 325 F;bake for 45 to 50 minutes

13x9-inch baking pan: 350 F; bakefor 35 to 40 minutes

13x9-inch glass baking dish: 325 F;bake for 40 to 45 minutes

Legislator Drucker Tours Restoration Farm In Old Bethpage

Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) recently visited Restoration Farm in Old Bethpage. Founded in 2007 by husband-andwife team Daniel Holmes and Caroline Fanning, the seven-acre organic farm is leased from Nassau County at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, and fresh vegetables, berries, flowers, and herbs are available to the public through a CSA (community supported agriculture) program and weekly farm stand.

“Every time I visit Restoration Farm, I come away with a newfound appreciation for their commitment to sustainable agriculture and this unique farm’s importance as an educational resource in our community,” Legislator Drucker said. “I thank Caroline and Daniel and the staff and volunteers for all of their hard work throughout the year, and I encourage you to plan a visit to Restoration Farm with your family this autumn and experience this truly special place for yourselves.”

Visit https://www.restorationfarm. com/ for the farm stand’s November and December hours and dates and to learn more about purchasing winter shares.

LEGISLATOR DRUCKER TOURS RESTORATION FARM IN OLD BETHPAGE - Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) recently visited Restoration Farm in Old Bethpage. Founded in 2007 by husband-and-wife team Daniel Holmes and Caroline Fanning, the seven-acre organic farm is leased from Nassau County at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Photo courtesy of the Office of Legislator Arnold W. Drucker

John F. Kennedy Middle School’s Library Gets Modern Makeover

Students at John F. Kennedy Middle School in the Bethpage Union Free School District were excited to enter the school’s new library. The day marked the grand opening for the new and improved library which was renovated during the

summer months to fit the 21st century learner. Library media specialist Michelle Phillips and teachers assistant Georgia Paraskakis decorated the space and warmly welcomed students into the library during their lunch periods to explore.

Students were able to play games, make their own bookmarks, try out the new makerspace additions and sign a grand opening board to mark the special occasion.

The new library features different flexible seating options, new tables and

flooring, ample storage, bookcases filled with books of different genres and a full makerspace which was previously the school’s computer lab. The makerspace is an area dedicated to arts and crafts, STEM activities, board games and more.

The circulation desk was also relocated to face the library’s entrance.

“The newly renovated library at JFK is warm, inviting and beautiful,” said JFK Middle School principal Kevin Fullerton.

“I love seeing the smiling faces and excitement

of our students visiting the library. It is such a wonderful place to not only read and learn but to explore, create and have fun in a fantastic environment.”

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Wishing Everyone AHappy Thanksgiving

WELCOMING STUDENTS TO THE SCHOOL’S NEW LIBRARY - John F. Kennedy Middle School’s library media specialist Michelle Phillips (left) and teachers assistant Georgia Paraskakis (right) welcomed students to the school’s new library.

SIGNING THE BOARD AT THE GRAND OPENING - Students signed a board at the grand opening of JFK Middle School’s new library.

JFK MIDDLE SCHOOL’S NEW LIBRARY - JFK Middle School’s new library was officially opened on Sept. 23.

EXPLORING THE NEW SCHOOL LIBRARY - JFK Middle School principal Kevin Fullerton (back left) and students explored the new school library during its grand opening.

13 Gratifying Thanksgiving Facts

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends and reflect on one’s blessings. In 2022, Canadian Thanksgiving took place on October 10, while Americans celebrate on November 24. In anticipation of these holidays, here are some interesting facts about the Thanksgiving celebration.

1. American Thanksgiving is largely modeled on a 17th-century harvest feast shared by the English settlers and the Wampanoag tribe.

2. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. It is based on European harvest festivals.

3. The National Turkey Federation says around 45 million turkeys will be eaten on Thanksgiving, which equates to about 720 million pounds of turkey being consumed (with the average turkey size being 16 pounds).

4. The Butterball hotline

answers roughly 100,000 calls every year on its turkey question hotline.

5. In 1953, the Swanson Company overestimated the number of frozen turkeys it would sell for the holiday season by 26 tons. Rather than waste the meat, Swanson sliced it up, repackaged it, and created the first frozen TV dinners.

6. Thanksgiving in America may be older than many recognize. While Thanksgiving is largely tied to the 17th-century settlers, the National Parks Service says in 1565 Spanish settlers in St. Augustine (now Florida) celebrated by having a meal to which they invited the native Seloy tribe. The Spanish served pork stew, sea biscuits, red wine, and garbanzo beans. Some say the Seloy contributed turkey, venison, and maize.

7. Thanksgiving didn’t become a civic holiday

until Abraham Lincoln made it one after the Civil War tragedy. Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday on October 20, 1864.

8. The Pilgrims did not refer to themselves as “pilgrims.” They used the word “separatists” as they were separating themselves from a larger belief system.

9. In addition to Canada and the United States, Grenada, Liberia, the Philippines, Saint Lucia, and the Netherlands celebrate their own versions of Thanksgiving.

10. Each year, the American president “pardons” a turkey from slaughter on Thanksgiving. This tradition dates back to when Abraham Lincoln’s son was upset that his family’s turkey that was going to be killed for Thanksgiving dinner.

11. According to the U.S. Calorie Control

Council (CCC), an average American may consume 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day.

12. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

is an annual tradition. People line the parade route in New York City or tune in to watch the parade on television. It originated in 1924, and the famed balloons were

added in 1927.

13. Apple pie is the pie of choice for Thanksgiving, even though pumpkin pie is prevalent this time of year.

BETHPAGE

BAY’S

Wishing Everyone

BROADWAY

Brian

Proof

Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Come Black Friday, shoppers strive to get the lowest prices on gifts for their loved ones. Much of the focus of Black Friday is on finding the best deals, but it can be interesting to take a breath and learn how this phenomenon developed and how it has evolved over the years.

“Black Friday”

The term “black Friday” was originally associated with gold prices and manipulation on the part of speculators Jay Gould and James Fisk. This scandal occurred in September 1869. Commodity prices plummeted 50 percent as a result, and the term “black Friday” was coined to refer to that drop.

The phrase “black Friday” also became famous for all the wrong reasons in 1966. Philadelphia police

The History Of Black Friday

used it to refer to the Friday traffic jams and crowding in downtown stores from tourists and shoppers who flooded into the city in advance of the Army-Navy football game held the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. Bigger crowds and rowdiness contributed to long hours and stressful shifts for local police.

Black Friday Reinvented

The retail industry started using the term “Black Friday” in the late 1980s. Spin doctors turned previously negative connotations into positive ones by associating the phrase with stores turning a profit and moving accounting ledgers from “red to black” thanks to big year-end sales. Retailers and consumers rallied around lowcost “doorbusters” and other discounted prices.

According to the National Retail Federation, Black

Friday really hasn’t been the most lucrative day for retailers over the years. In fact, greater profits and larger crowds are often seen on the last Saturday preceding Christmas.

Shopping Weekend Evolves

While Black Friday may have been the catalyst, in recent years shoppers have made the entire weekend of Black Friday a lucrative one for retailers. Many stores now open on Thanksgiving and extend sales through the entire weekend. Small Business Saturday and Sunday promote patronizing mom-and-pop stores. Cyber Monday emerged when online shopping became a popular way to grab deals, and it marks the close of the opening weekend of the holiday shopping season.

AN OUTREACH FOR THE BETHPAGE COMMUNITY BY B.K. SWEENEY’S, THE BETHPAGE FIRE DEPT., AND ST. MARTIN OF TOURS

If you know of any family struggling and in need for Thanksgiving, please call B.K. Sweeney’s at (516) 935-9597 and let us know. A full Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings will be delivered to them on Wednesday, November 23rd or can be picked up at B.K. Sweeney’s Parkside Tavern located at 356 Broadway, Bethpage

POBJFKHS Students Earn Top Marks In 2023 National Merit Scholarship Competition Four Seniors Are Named Semifinalists, 19 Are Commended Students

Seniors at PlainviewOld Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) had another strong showing at the National Merit Scholarship

Competition for the 20222023 school year. Ryan Flood, Sophia Gu, Ethan Hsu and Daniel Zhang have been named competition semifinalists, while 19

other students were named Commended Students in the prestigious contest.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation seeks to identify

academically talented students throughout the United States. Of the roughly 1.5 million students who apply for the program each year,

the four POBJFKHS students were among only 16,000 selected to become semifinalists. They are now in the running to become recipients of the roughly

7,500 National Merit Scholarships awarded annually. The scholarships are worth a total of more than $31 million.

STUDENTS EARN TOP MARKS - Seniors at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) had another strong showing at the National Merit Scholarship Competition for the 2022-2023 school year. Principal James Murray, from left, Guidance Counselor Cristina Rivas-Laline, Daniel Zhang, Sophia Gu, Ryan Flood, Ethan Hsu, Guidance Counselor Sarah Egosi, and Director of Guidance Laurie Lynn.

Photo courtesy of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District

COMMENDED STUDENTS - In addition to the four semifinalists, 19 POBJFKHS students were named Commended Students in the contest. They are pictured with their guidance counselors. Photo courtesy of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District

How To Participate In GivingTuesday

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is widely referred to as the holiday season. Holidays such as Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all take place in this typically sixweek window. During this period, there’s another, possibly lesser known, event that can elicit many of the same warm feelings generated by more recognizable holidays. GivingTuesday is held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year. Though that typically means the day is celebrated after the calendar turns to December, this year GivingTuesday takes place on Tuesday, November 29.

What Is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday organizers describe the event as a “movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around

the world.” GivingTuesday is often characterized as hashtag activism, which involves social media users employing Twitter hashtags to show support for a cause. Twitter hashtags do not utilize spaces between words, so GivingTuesday references adhere to this practice.

How Can People Participate In Givingtuesday?

The organizers behind GivingTuesday note that the day is about all types of giving. Individuals who want to participate can donate money, food, and/or clothing; start an advocacy campaign; help a neighbor, or commit an act of generosity. Participants need not make their GivingTuesday efforts part of any official event associated with the day, but those who want to can visit VolunteerMatch.org

to look for volunteering opportunities in and around their communities. Employers and even local governments also may sponsor or host events on GivingTuesday. Twitter users also can use the hashtag #GivingTuesday to promote causes and/ or encourage donations throughout the day. Some organizations may match users’ donations up to a predetermined dollar amount, and users can enter #GivingTuesday into the Twitter search engine to discover such efforts. Parents can even help children find ways to participate by visiting GivingTuesdaySpark.org.

Individuals can learn more at GivingTuesday. org.

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“A Tradition of Caring Since 1923” Family

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Owner/Operator

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