TAMPA, Fla. — Giving Tuesday is celebrated in over 150 countries and officially kicks off the charitable season.
- Giving Tuesday to kick off charitable season
- 2018 a tough year for many people
- To donate or volunteer, click here
Various charities participate, but one in particular said 2018 was an especially tough year.
The American Red Cross is typically one of the first on the scene after any sort of disaster — and this year, thousands of people turned to the Red Cross after Hurricane Michael hit the panhandle.
The Red Cross served almost one million meals and distributed hundreds of thousands of relief items. That's on top of the day-to-day services the charity provides.
Rachel Nelson with the American Red Cross of Central Florida said the organization is still sheltering people who lost their homes to Hurricane Michael. Nelson is hoping people will keep them in mind today for Giving Tuesday.
"Going into 2019 we'll certainly be looking to make sure that we are prepared to handle another year like that, should it arise. So the need is always there, the need is constant," Nelson said.
If you would like to participate in Giving Tuesday, you can click here to search for the charity of your choice to make a donation or to volunteer.