On Giving Tuesday, local nonprofits need your support

On Giving Tuesday, local nonprofit organizations seek support from the community

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — On Giving Tuesday, nonprofit organizations in Macon county are looking for the community's support.

"Today is the day to recognize different charities and different organizations that do community service and things for this community," said Macon County CASA Executive Director Blaine Smith.

Giving Tuesday takes place every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.

"So we run on donations and volunteer work. And I've always been told if you can't advocate and volunteer — donate. That's the best way to support the kids and make sure that they have the advocacy they deserve from us," said Smith.

For some, a $20 donation may not seem like much, but for those in need, it makes a significant difference.

"It means everything, it really does," said Major Randall Summit of the Salvation Army of Decatur and Macon County. "I mean, because when we see that, we realize that we're not alone. None of us really are. But for us, those donations come in when people are showing their generosity, when people are giving it out of the little that they have, or out of the abundance that they have. It allows us to know that there are people out there who really do care about what's going on."

Different organizations will look for donations in different ways.

"Some of us get to stand a wear a silly hat and ring a bell," said Summit. "Others may just give us funds available, but … all of us can do something and it means the world, it really does."