At philanthropy group's urging, states declare 'Giving Day'

By David Gram, Associated Press Writer | November 22, 2006

MONTPELIER, Vt. --This year, Thanksgiving is a two-day affair: Thanks on Thursday, giving on Friday.

At the urging of a Massachusetts-based philanthropy group, Gov. Jim Douglas this week added Vermont to the list of states calling the day after the feast "Giving Day," and urging people to do what they can for charity.

"The holiday season provides an occasion to remind us of all that we have to be grateful for, and it should also serve to remind us to continue to be aware of the needs of others who may be struggling and in need of assistance," Douglas said in his proclamation of Giving Day in Vermont.

With Massachusetts and Rhode Island leading the way in 2002 and New Hampshire following in 2003, four of six New England states now make the observance being promoted by the Watertown, Mass.,-based Catalogue for Philanthropy. In all, 11 states have joined the effort.

For all the good intentions, New England still comes up short on the delivery. The Catalogue last week issued its annual "generosity index," ranking states' charitable giving as a portion of income, based on Internal Revenue Service Data.

In 2004, the most recent year for which data were available, New Hampshire ranked last for charitable giving. The other New England states were in the bottom 10, except for Maine, which ranked 33rd.

Outside New England, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Nebraska also observe Giving Day, said Catalogue spokesman Martin Cohn.

The call for a Giving Day appears to resonate with Vermonters. Dutchie Chastaine, 61, of Pittsford, called it a good idea.

"In my town, we have a Santa fund, and we do a lot for it. My husband gives money, and I usually buy a toy and some hats and gloves" for underprivileged children, said Chastaine, interviewed shopping Wednesday outside a Circuit City store in Williston.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," said Sharon Irish, 59, of Richmond. "I work at IBM and we do a `Toys for Tots' program there. I think giving is the best thing in the world. There should be more of it."

Current economic conditions should allow millions of Americans to step up their charitable giving this year and next, said George C. Ruotolo Jr., chairman of the Illinois-based Giving Institute, which does research for charities and philanthropies nationwide.

"The stock market is always a factor. That directly impacts giving from individuals," Ruotolo said. "Corporate profits appear to be on the rise and that also has an impact on giving from corporations. When the stock market goes up, what happens is foundations to better. They're almost required to give away more money. There's kind of a cycle effect here."

At the Vermont Foodbank in Barre, which distributes food to about 270 food shelves and other local distribution centers around the state, executive director Deborah Flateman said activity this year was up slightly from 2005.

While a Dow that has set records recently and corporate profits were helping some segments of society, Flateman said, others were being left behind.

She noted that in a study released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Vermonters with "low food security" -- or a risk of going hungry -- had increased from 9 percent to 9.5 percent of the population in the past year. Those with "very low food security," went from 2.3 to 3.9 percent.

"I really think that it's the story we keep hearing," Flateman said. "People aren't making enough money to provide for their families."

Meanwhile, an international group promoting an annual "Buy Nothing Day" to combat consumerism on the day after Thanksgiving says the Giving Day idea dovetails well with that effort.

"I think there is a natural synergy there," said Kalle Lasn, founder and editor-in-chief of Vancouver-based Adbusters magazine. "If you look at what both of us are doing, in a sense we're tweaking the consumer culture."

The day after Thanksgiving usually is known as a holiday shopping day. Douglas said he has no problem with that.

"I don't want to suggest they buy less, because the retail sector's an important part of our economy," the governor said. "But they might want to buy something for somebody else."

Douglas noted that the annual "Mitten Tree" would soon be erected on the ground floor of the state office building where he works. Passers-by can purchase hats and mittens, which are then given to less fortunate Vermonters.

"I hope that as people do their Christmas shopping they'll remember there are many who are less fortunate and reach out in some way to help them," the governor added.