Giving Tuesday: Make the Holidays More Charitable in Santee

Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are gone, and likely are your food comas and midnight spending sprees.

So why not spend Tuesday giving back, with donations of money or support to local charities as part of a national initiative called Giving Tuesday?

Here are some local charities and nonprofits that need your support this season:

• Santee Santas
• Santee Food Bank
• Boys & Girls Club of East County
• East County Family YMCA
• Naomi's Closet Provides Free Women's Clothing to Those in Need
• Mental Health Systems Veteran Support Programs
• Adaptive Computer Empowerment Services
• Disability Dream Weavers
• Santee School District Foundation

Find more at the Ultimate Santee Volunteer Guide

Residents of Santee gave $17.4 million, a median $1,906, or 3.5 percent of their income, per household to charity in 2008, according to a study released Monday by The Chronicle of Philanthropy- a figure that falls below the national and state averages.

Founded by New York-based community center 92Y and the United Nations Foundation, Giving Tuesday is meant to supercharge nonprofit organizations during the holidays.

For a full list of partnering organizations and complete details about the Giving Tuesday initiative, visit givingtuesday.org.

We are on the threshold of the holiday shopping season—also called the season of giving—and Giving Tuesday wants the act of giving to go viral.

Tag your applicable tweets with #GivingTuesday and follow the initiative on Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest, YouTube and Tumblr.

Also read: What's Your Favorite Santee Nonprofit?