WMass residents encouraged to donate on "Valley Gives Day," December 12

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - December 12, 2012 is now “Valley Gives Day.”

Valley Gives is a 24-hour e-philanthropy event to encourage residents in the Pioneer Valley to log-on and contribute to their favorite local nonprofit organizations through their website.

When donors visit the Valley Gives website on December 12 between 12:00 A.M. and 11:59 P.M., they will be able to make gifts to their favorite nonprofits.

The event aims to raise $1 million in 24 hours’ time.

"We want to do something to inspire a culture of giving, to really show how together we can be more generous as a community, what's out there that's a smart model. So our staff did some research, looked around the country, and found that other states and cities had used the give day as a really effective way to galvanize new support," said Kristin Leutz of Valley Gives.

To find out more about Valley Gives, or to register your nonprofit organization, visit valleygives.razoo.com

22News is proud to partner with this event, which was created by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.