First Selectman Calls On Westport To Act Locally On #Giving Tuesday

WESTPORT, Conn. — First Selectman James Marpe called on Westport residents to support local charities as he proclaimed Nov. 29 as #Giving Tuesday in Westport along with representatives from local nonprofits surrounding him on the steps of the Westport Country Playhouse on Monday afternoon.

Westport First Selectman James Marpe reads a proclamation designating Nov. 29, 2016 as Giving Tuesday in Westport. Standing on the steps of the Westport Country Playhouse, he is surrounded by representatives of local nonprofits.
Photo Credit: *Carolyn Mueller*

James Marpe with Matthew Mandell, Chamber of Commerce; Shelly Goldman, YMCA: Eileen Flug, RTM; Nancy Diamond, JIB Productions; Tony McDowell, Nature Discovery & Environmental Learning Center; Barbara Durham, Library; and Michael Barker, Playhouse.
Photo Credit: *Carolyn Mueller*

Carolyn Mueller

11/28/2016 4:30 p.m.

He thanked the Playhouse for hosting the gathering on Cyber Monday, the big online shopping day which is before Giving Tuesday.

"This is the fifth year we've done this," Marpe said, noting that his inbox has been filled with messages from organizations seeking donations in advance of #Giving Tuesday.

"It's obviously having the impact it's intended to have," he said. "It's appropriate that on a townwide basis we work to make sure our citizens understand the importance of this fundraising opportunity."

He thanked the representatives of the Westport nonprofit organizations that attended the proclamation event.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media, kicking off the charitable season. The day is dedicated to philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service, and Westport residents are encouraged to give back to the community in any way that is personally meaningful.

For many organizations that rely on financial support from public donations, Giving Tuesday is a chance to call attention to their annual appeals.

That is the case for the Westport Country Playhouse, said Charlie Nork, individual giving manager for the Playhouse. Barbara Durham, representing Westport Library, agreed, adding that the library has recently sent out word about the annual appeal for 2016-17.

Shelly Goldman, healthy living programs director for the Westport Weston Family YMCA, brought information about ways #Giving Tuesday donations to the Y impact the community. Besides the things generally expected from a YMCA, such as swimming programs, the Westport Weston Family YMCA offers chronic disease prevention and care, after school child care and summer camp scholarships so that regardless of ability to pay, all members of the community can benefit from their offerings.

To donate to the Y, visit their site by clicking here.

To donate to the Westport Country Playhouse, click here.

To donate to the Westport Library, click here.

To donate to The Nature Discovery & Environmental Learning Center, click here. To volunteer, click here.

For more information on the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, click here.

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