12-12-12 brings Valley Gives Day to Pioneer Valley

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The date 12-12-12 is not just a memorable day for engagements or birthdays, but also for charitable giving.

In a Pioneer Valley first, a 24 hour day of giving to area non profits, known as Valley Gives Day, meant a day of giving throughout Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

"Valley Gives Day" brought together 260 non profit organizations in a digital day of donating.

"All these partners have come together and what's wonderful about this is we are promoting the value of philanthropy. That you can make a ten dollar gift and that has immense impact in the area," said Sarah Tanner of the United Way, Pioneer Valley Chapter.

The focus for the campaign was for online donations, but there was also a ground campaign for fundraising.

People can also stop by these generosity stations, donate from these ipads and even scan these cards on the back with a Q-R reader.
 
You can donate by logging on to valleygivesday.org or with just one scan with your phone, and that's how easy it was for Andrew hemming to take part in Valley Gives.

"I think it's a good idea to give back to the community even in a local process as this. It's a good thing to do," said Hemmings of Springfield.

The main idea behind Valley Gives Day is charitable giving to non profits right here in the Pioneer Valley.

It's all meant to stimulate continued giving even after Valley Gives Day.

"The goal is to give for today and raise as much as we can in the pioneer valley, but it's also to attach someone to a non-profit so they can give to them afterwards," said Sheila Tota from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

To check out how much has been donated and to find out more, click here to go to the Valley Gives website .