By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

After celebrating a day of Thanksgiving, then shopping both Black Friday and Cyber Monday, River Region residents are being asked to set aside Dec. 3 as a day to give back to the community.

According to Megan Stevens, communications dir4ector for the Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF), “For the first time (CACF) is taking part in an online giving campaign called “Giving Tuesday” celebrated across the globe. More than 4,000 businesses and nonprofits have mobilized their communities to give back.

She said more than $10 million in online donations were processed on Giving Tuesday’s inaugural date-Nov. 27, 2012.

Held this year on Dec. 3, she said, “Montgomery area residents are being asked to visit CACF’s website, cacfinfo.org/, to support River Region nonprofits such as:

“UAB Department of Theatre received $4,000 to provide free shows in Lowndes, Macon and Montgomery counties.

Impact Alabama: A Student Service Initiative received $8,000 to fund “Focus First (providing free vision screenings to pre K children in Lowndes/Macon/Montgomery County) and SaveFirst. (providing free tax preparation services to low-income, working families).

“Alabama Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics received $5,000 to provide books to children in Lowndes/Macon/Montgomery through 8 pediatric practices, the Nurse/Family Partnership, and Success by 6.

Kid One Transport received $5,000 to operate 3 vehicles to serve “Lowndes/Macon/Montgomery Counties, providing transportation to expectant mothers or children under the age of 19 to life-saving procedures and routine medical checkups.