12/12/12 named "Valley Gives Day"

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's a day where many people might get engaged or married. December 12th, 2012.

12/12/12 also has a different meaning in the Pioneer Valley.

"Valley Gives Day", as it's called, will take place in eight days, on 12/12/12.

In Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties, 270 nonprofit organizations will take part in a 24-hour fundraising campaign. This day of giving will be internet focused, known as e-philanthropic, accepting monetary donations only.

And if all goes well in the first year of this event, it will have lasting impacts on area charities.

Kristin Leutz of the Community Foundation of Western Mass. told 22News, "We're focusing on one day and building up an exciting incentive pool of grant money that's available, but in the future we really want people to be thinking about this all year round and provide easy, trusted, safe online resources."

On top of the donations, there will be monetary awards where nonprofits and donors could get additional prize money that goes to the organization of their choice.

While this is the first year of this campaign, organizers hope to make this day of giving happen every year.

22News is a proud sponsor of the Valley Gives campaign.