10 Ways to Celebrate Giving Tuesday in Park Slope

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and now: Giving Tuesday. Created by the 92nd Street Y, the aim is “to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.”

So as you check off the items on your gift list, remember those in our community who need a little extra help. Here are some ways to give back in our area:

• After losing more than 300 trees to Hurricane Sandy, Prospect Park could use your support now more than ever. You can make a monetary donation online, donate a tree, or volunteer.

• Park Slope Christian Help (CHIPS) helps the poor, the needy, and the homeless, as well as those in emergency situations, and they could also use your help more than ever following the increased needs resulting from Sandy. Donate online, drop off donations at 200 4th Ave Monday through Friday from 8am to 2pm (most needed now: men’s winter coats, hats, and gloves), or volunteer your time.

• In addition to having the best storefront in the neighborhood, 826NYC provides free writing workshops, after-school homework help, in-class support, and field trips to over 2,000 New York City students and their schools each year. You can help that work with donations or by volunteering.

• Whether you visit the Park Slope branch or the Central branch, consider making a donation to the Brooklyn Public Library.

• CAMBA’s Park Slope Women’s Shelter provides temporary housing, nutritious meals, and comprehensive services and assistance for mentally-ill and often substance-abusing women to stabilize their condition and move toward permanent and/or supported housing. There are several giving options that you can choose from to help the shelter.

• The Center for Anti-Violence Education runs programs that help women, teen women, children, and LGBT individuals and their families build strength through education, physical empowerment, and leadership development. To help that work, they always appreciate donations and volunteers.

• The Gowanus Canal Conservancy is working hard to clean up and develop the Gowanus Canal, and you can help with a donation. They’re also often looking for volunteers for projects, so check their blog and Facebook page for updates.

• In addition to making a monetary donation to their Strong Kids Campaign, the YMCA (both 9th Street and Armory) is a great place to volunteer your time. Options include everything from coaching a team to serving on the board.

• Film Biz Recycling works with the NYC film businesses to divert set materials from the landfill and instead get them into the hands of people in need. By becoming a sponsor, you not only help this process, but you help the local charities and community organizations that some of the materials go to.

• Why not help our local public schools? Donor’s Choice is a fabulous way to go directly to the source and find out exactly what teachers need. A quick zip code search brings up a number of options for schools in 11215.