United Way of Buffalo & Erie County pledges to help families avoid homelessness through #GivingTuesday and #NYGivesDay

24-hour online fundraising challenge part of national movement to promote charitable giving during holiday season

The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is focusing on alleviating homelessness for at least 10 families this holiday season through its participation in #NYGivesDay, a 24-hour online fundraising event.

#NYGivesDay is part of #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Now in its fifth year, #GivingTuesday is held the Tuesday following Thanksgiving after the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days. It has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy.

Helping 10 families avoid homelessness and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to avoid financial hardship in the future will cost approximately $1,600 per family. The Siemer Institute has pledged to match all donations made to United Way. With the matching donation, the United Way's goal is $8,000, or $800 per family. Donations can made at https://www.nygivesday.org or by texting POVERTY to 41444 between midnight tonight and midnight on Tuesday.

Michael Weiner, president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, said, "As we kick off the holiday season this Thanksgiving, we know that many Western New Yorkers will be generous, both in shopping for friends and family as well as in their charitable giving. While homelessness is devastating at any time of the year, it can take a particular toll on families around the holidays, so we are focusing our efforts on helping families avoid that fate now and in the future with this fundraising effort. We also encourage donations to many other local nonprofits who are also making a difference in our community."

#NYGivesDay builds on the focus of #GivingTuesday by engaging many of the major nonprofit networks and leaders in New York to encourage more nonprofits and donors to participate. Similar days of giving show that, when participation increases, donors have more choices and overall giving to nonprofits increases. While the United Way is focusing on raising funds to help homeless families, many other nonprofit organizations locally and across the state will also participate to address a myriad of issues.

The United Way has partnered with The Siemer Institute for Family Stability, a national organization that works to enhance educational opportunities for school-aged children by preventing family homelessness and reducing school instability, and Belmont Housing Resources of WNY, a local nonprofit that advocates for quality, affordable housing and provides housing-related programs and services for the event.

The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County brings people, organizations, and resources together to improve community well-being. Through program funding, community collaborations and strategic initiatives in the areas of education, financial stability, and health and wellness, United Way helps children reach their full potential, adults achieve financial stability, and all people achieve and maintain good health and wellness. For more information, visit www.uwbec.org.