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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

The Struggle to Put Giving Back in Thanksgiving

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Tuesday, November 26, 2013   

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Black Friday starts on Thursday this year, with major retailers moving up the starts of their holiday sales to Thanksgiving Day. In response, last year the Hashtag Giving Tuesday movement sprang up, and made the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday a day of giving. The social-media movement runs the gamut from global charities to individuals.

According to University of Kentucky grad student Whitney Hammons, because of finals she began Giving Tuesday early, using a fitness app to walk charity miles.

"I started about a week ago," Hammons said. "I have given to three different charities and I've walked about 12 miles so far."

She's raising money for Stand Up to Cancer, Special Olympics and Autism Speaks.

While retailers rely on the period between Black Friday and Christmas for a major portion of their annual sales, Giving Tuesday argues for a pause to consider sharing over shopping.

Henry Timms, interim director at New York's 92nd Street Y, who is credited with coming up with the idea, explained it.

"Every year, we hear a lot of people complaining about ... they think things are too consumer-focused," he said. "What we hope is that Giving Tuesday gives them a chance to really put that complaint to good use and think, 'How can I give something back?'"

Giving Tuesday, which exploded on social media last year, seems to be losing its "hashtag" prefix.

A week from today (December 3) is this year's day for giving back. Whitney Hammons remarked that generosity is what this time of year should be all about.

"I think everyone deserves to enjoy the holidays and to be able to give back to the communities, and give back to people is what the holidays are all about, so that's why I decided to do this," she stated.

Henry Timms said that this year, Giving Tuesday is putting a spin on the fad of taking "selfies," photos of themselves that people share on social media. He calls it the "unselfie."

"So, the 'unselfie' takes that idea and says, 'Actually, share a picture of something more important.' Share a picture of you doing something useful for others; share a picture of a cause that matters deeply to you. Do something unselfish around Giving Tuesday," Timm urged.





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