A social media movement created as a global day of celebration dedicated to helping others through donations, time and goods took place Dec. 1. Turn To Us Inc. of Carbon County used the social media campaign, #GivingTuesday, to raise awareness and funds for people in need of assistance in the area.

According to Alicia Kline, co-founder and executive director, Facebook videos had over 2,283 total views and page likes hit over 650. The $1,000 goal was surpassed when donations reached $1,540 in 12 hours."I learned about #GivingTuesday through a social media webinar for nonprofits. The idea that Turn To Us and Carbon County could be part of a worldwide movement to help others was exciting. In one day, $116.7 million was raised in over 71 countries. There were 1.3 million social media mentions for #GivingTuesday, and we were a part of that. Turn To Us simply offered the community a way to donate and help others, and we were humbled by the outpouring support," Kline said.Turn To Us kept the spirit of giving back going with a promise that for every $5 donated, one Christmas card would be sent to a patient in a community hospital. Over 308 cards were delivered to St. Luke's Hospital - Miners Campus in Coaldale and Blue Mountain Health Systems in Lehighton and Palmerton for the holiday. Lisa Johnson, vice president of Blue Mountain Health Systems, said how thoughtful the cards were "because there are some patients who get forgotten.""The idea to give Christmas cards to patients in local hospitals came from the meaning of the day - to help others. Our mission is to assist individuals with major or chronic illnesses, so hospital patients were the perfect recipients. Not only can we put smiles on the faces of those receiving the cards, but those giving the cards - the nurses, doctors, and staff," said Kline."Part of Turn To Us' community outreach is to provide hospitals with stacks of encouragement, thinking of you, and get-well cards for staff to hand out to patients as they see fit. A card to a lonely patient who has been on the floor for a few days or to a patient who just came out of surgery and needs an extra boost to brighten his day, small things can have a huge impact."Turn To Us works to assist people and their families who are impacted by major and chronic illnesses. The nonprofit has assisted 50 clients by providing resources, grant money from national organizations, donations from local businesses and organizations, and gas gift cards since its summer opening.Anyone who would like to donate store-bought or handmade cards can drop them off or mail them to the Turn To Us office located in the CareerLink building on Broadway in Jim Thorpe.