Giving Tuesday spotlights charity, volunteerism using social media

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- On the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Giving Tuesday, a new day designated for giving rather than getting.

Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites are encouraging people to make charitable donations and volunteer for a special cause.

Henry Timms and Kathy Calvin, founders of Giving Tuesday, say over 2,000 partners including corporations, nonprofits, schools and religious groups have signed up from all 50 states.

Timms is the deputy executive director of the Jewish community center 92nd Street Y and Calvin is CEO of the United Nations Foundation. Timms first came up with the idea during the holiday season last year, and he later took his idea to Calvin. She said the UN Foundation loved it.

"When 92Y's Henry Timms called he explained the opportunity this way, 'We have a day for giving thanks, two days for getting deals. Why shouldn't there be a day for giving back?'" Calvin said.

Calvin also thinks that it is now easier than ever to donate and volunteer in today's social media-saturated world.

Timms and Calvin are hoping to make Giving Tuesday an annual tradition. To find out more, visit the Giving Tuesday website.

ABC News contributed to this report.

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