SpirIt of the Season: Give Like a Local in Knoxville
We believe in an enduring kind of Christmas magic: a spirit that transcends Santa and sleigh bells to embody the heart of the holiday season. In short, we believe in the power of advocating for one another and supporting each other – in whatever ways we are able.
While we know the time is always right to give back, Giving Tuesday is a wonderful way to end a frenzied few days of sales. It’s both an invitation to give and a gentle nudge to shift our focus to the meaning of the season: connection and community.
And the ways and means to give in our community abound. There’s profoundly impactful work occuring in Knoxville every day in service of causes that touch nearly every walk of life. And whether you’re a patron of the arts or animal advocate, a champion of children, or a challenger to homelessness, your contributions are profound.
This holiday season, we hope you’ll join us in advocating for one another and supporting each other, whether it’s through a gift of time, money, or expertise. To help inspire a season of giving, we’ve rounded up a few of many ways to donate and volunteer locally, from Giving Tuesday through Christmas. Here’s where to start…
GIVING TUESDAY
BIG GIVE KNOX
November 29th, 2022 | 12:00 am – 11:59 pm | The Big Give Knox is an initiative of GiveGab a nonprofit giving platform that helps nonprofits to raise money, engage donors and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. For 24 hours, Knoxville is encouraged to give big to the organizations near and dear to their heart. Organizations that are verified 501(c)(3) charitable non-profits headquartered or serving the community are able to participate. Please note that GiveGab retains a 3% campaign management fee from all donations. Credit Card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30 for all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). You are given the option to cover the fees and if you choose this option, 100% of your online charitable gift will go to the receiving organization. Donations cannot be pre-scheduled. Search for an organization to support…
THE BIG GIVE for YOUNG-WILLIAMS ANIMAL CENTER
Young-Williams Animal Center | November 29th, 2022 | 12:00 am – 11:59 pm | More than 11,000 vulnerable pets in need of shelter, love and vet care will arrive at Young-Williams doors this year – a record high since 2016. And it is through the generosity of the greater Knoxville area that they are able to support our vision of A Home for Every Pet. The Big Give is the season’s biggest opportunity to support YWAS’s essential work. Donate…
THE BIG GIVE for UNITED WAY GREATER KNOXVILLE
November 29th, 2022 | 12:00 am – 11:59 pm | Each year, United Way of Greater Knoxville helps 173,876 people through 144 programs in 66 different agencies dedicated to improving health, education, and financial stability. To do this, United Way provides grants through a competitive application process allocating money based on quantitative results. Agencies that receive funding are required to submit to periodic reviews. These reviews make sure that donated money is used in the most impactful and innovative programs. Donate…
THE BIG GIVE for SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
November 29th, 2022 | 12:00 am – 11:59 pm | Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to compassionately feed the over 200,000 East Tennesseans experiencing hunger. Last year, Second Harvest distributed more than 22 million pounds of food across an 18-county service area through multiple feeding programs and 630+ community partners. Donate…
THE BIG GIVE for STAR
November 29th, 2022 | 12:00 am – 11:59 pm | Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) provides equine therapy to children and adults with physical, mental, or neurological disabilities, as well as veterans and at-risk individuals throughout Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Fentress, Knox, Loudon, Jefferson, Monroe, McMinn, Roane, Sevier, and surrounding counties. In 2019, STAR served 245 individuals with a total of 16,780 hours of Equine Assisted Services. This year, please consider making a gift via The Big Give in support of their Heroes and Horses program, which aids veterans facing issues like TBI, PTSD, amputation, sensory loss, or other conditions as a result of their service. Donate…
THE METRO DRUG COALITION
November 29th, 2022 | Metro Drug Coalition (MDC) is a nonprofit organization striving to create a healthy and safe community, free of substance misuse. For over 35 years MDC has worked to increase access to evidence-based prevention education, harm reduction programs, and recovery support services for anyone desiring to maintain or seek a life free from substance misuse. This Giving Tuesday, help them reach their goal of raising $10,000. Your investment in MDC helps to create a healthy and safe community, free of substance misuse. Donate…
SEASONAL OPPPORTUNITIES
THE BETH HAYNES 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AUCTION
McNabb Center | December 1st -12th | The first 12 days of December, the Center will auction off more than 350 unique items and experiences online. Funds raised through the auction will benefit over 2,500 children and families served by the McNabb Center! Bidders experience the joy of giving while purchasing unique gifts, and sponsors and donors from local and national businesses make the charitable countdown to Christmas possible. Learn more…
DEAR SANTA
McNabb Center | October – December | For more than 20 years, the Center has provided holiday gifts for children up to 18 years of age through the Dear Santa program. Children in need served by the Center and their siblings receive donated gifts. Last year, the Center provided gifts and holiday parties to nearly 2,200 East Tennessee children and families. The deadline has passed to sponsor a wish list for this year, but there are still ways to contribute to Dear Santa! You can purchase items through their Amazon Wish List or make a monetary donation here. Learn more…
UNDER THE TREE HOLIDAY DRIVE
Volunteer Ministry Center | By December 16, 2022 | Volunteer Ministry Center works to end and prevent homelessness in Knoxville. During the holiday season, their Under the Tree Holiday Drive focuses on serving those that are either working to achieve housing through VMC’s low barrier housing focused emergency overnight shelter, The Foyer or have achieved their goal of housing at VMC’s Permanent Supporting Housing development, Minvilla Manor. VMC invites you to join them in collecting new items for both men and women to either achieve or sustain housing. View items…
2023 PET CALENDAR
Young-Williams Animal Center | The Young-Williams Animal Center calendar contest helps provide care for the nearly 10,000 homeless, stray, and unwanted pets we take in every year. All proceeds support the mission of Young-Williams Animal Center to lead the community to end pet homelessness, promote animal welfare, and enhance the human-animal bond. Purchase…
EMPTY STOCKING FUND
The News Sentinel Charities | Since 1912, The Knoxville News Sentinel has worked to make the holidays brighter for those who need it most. The 100% local, volunteer-run organization distributes thousands of baskets of food – enough for a holiday meal and a week of nutrition – to struggling families. Donate…
TOYS FOR TOTS
Deadline of December 5th | Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in Knoxville. Last year, Toys for Tots donated 13,924 toys to 4,004 children. Donate…
YEAR-ROUND GIVING
Volunteer at Young-Williams Animal Center, which offers a variety of opportunities from Paws for Reading to Doggie Day Trips, and more. Learn more…
Adopt a pet from Young-Williams Animal Center! They have hundreds of furry-friends looking for their forever homes. Or, consider fostering! Learn more…
Volunteer at Second Harvest Tuesday-Saturday each week. Volunteers make all the difference in the success of the food bank. Volunteers do mission-critical tasks like sorting donated items, packing food boxes, aiding in administration and helping at special events. Learn more…
Volunteer at Volunteer Ministry Center, which offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals looking to serve. Learn more…
Support The Tennessee Theatre. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Tennessee Theatre continues to raise money each year to support operating costs and to subsidize some programs. Whether you are an individual wishing to make a personal contribution or a corporation that wishes to forge a partnership, there are a variety of ways that you can make an impact on the Tennessee Theatre’s future. Please contact Executive Director Becky Hancock at 865.684.1200 to learn more…
Support the arts with Dogwood Arts, a a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a 67-year history of arts advocacy, environmental stewardship, and economic impact in East Tennessee. Each year, Dogwood Arts produces 20 events and programs that help make Knoxville a great place to live, work and play. This season, join them for December First Friday and Christmas Parade on December 2nd, 2022.
Volunteering at Lakeshore Park is a wonderful way to enhance the park experience for all visitors regardless of the season. For more information, please find opportunities on Volunteer East Tennessee or contact the Lakeshore Park Conservancy office at 865-215-1722.
Gift or become a Friend of Lakeshore Park, a circle of individuals who are committed to the creation and maintenance of this extraordinary urban park along the Tennessee River. Friends contribute unrestricted gifts of $100 or more, providing a crucial runway of support as we build the park and the programs that will secure Lakeshore Park as a vibrant and active green space. Learn more…
Support East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Since 1937, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has had an open-door policy to help sick children, providing expert-level medical care – without passing along costs to patients. Learn more to support…
Support Friends of the Smokies in their goal of assisting the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park by raising funds, generating public awareness, and providing volunteers for projects. Friends of the Smokies offers several ways to support their mission: volunteering with or donating to Trails Forever, becoming a member of Friends of the Smokey Mountains, participating in their annual events, or simply following along on social media.
Support East Tennessee Foundation, a public charity and community foundation created by and for the people of East Tennessee, where many donors join together to make the region they love a better place, today and for future generations. ETF, like other community foundations, operates as a collection of hundreds of distinct charitable funds and supporting foundations established by individuals, families, businesses, and other nonprofits. Through their work a wide variety of philanthropic objectives are achieved. Learn more…
However you give this season, don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!
