The Tuesday following "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" is an internationally recognized day of giving.
This year, "Giving Tuesday" falls on Nov. 29 and local businesses and charities are planning to give back.
United Way Centraide Sudbury and Nipissing Districts along with the Sudbury Community Foundation and Jazz Sudbury have joined efforts to spread random acts of kindness throughout the downtown core of Greater Sudbury.
This initiative was the inspiration of a generous donor and the Compassionate Community Fund held by the Sudbury Community Foundation. United Way Sudbury, the Sudbury Community Foundation and Jazz Sudbury want to thank the community for their continual support.
On Nov. 29 betwen 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., their staff and volunteers will be out on the streets and in downtown businesses offering tokens of appreciation: free coffee, bookmarks, paid parking downtown, gift cards, and mittens to help keep warm.
Participating local businesses include Old Rock coffee shop (Minto and Durham location), Kuppajo Espresso Bar (109 Larch St.) and Ti Amo Classic Café (124 Cedar St.).
Tim Horton's gift cards will also be distributed.
"Giving Tuesday is a public event created for all individuals hoping to make a difference," said Michael Cullen, United Way's executive director. "The goal is to inspire giving and to have an opportunity to give back to the Sudbury community."
Giving just makes the city a better place, said Brian Koivu, the executive director of the Sudbury Community Foundation.
"A primary element of Giving Tuesday is to celebrate the generosity of spirit associated with personal giving," said Koivu. "The desire for people to share, whether it be time, talent or treasure is the foundation of our community and powerfully impactful in terms of making our community a better place for all of us to live, to learn, to work and to play."
