Whoever first came up with the idea of Giving Tuesday was brilliant.

We’ve spent the last month filling up on Halloween candy and then turkey dinners. We set aside one day to be thankful, then start the holiday shopping season. Friday is Black Friday. Who all remembers staying up until midnight when stores opened to offer special prices on the Friday after Thanksgiving? (Now the “Black Friday Deals” last at least a week, and no one gets trampled.) Not content to have shoppers defect to Big Box Stores, someone created Small Business Saturday. Along came the Internet, and more marketing geniuses thought up Cyber Monday.

After all of that, Giving Tuesday was a natural follow-up. Not that nonprofit organizations weren’t already making year-end appeals. GivingTuesday.org has become a global holiday/organization and, according to their website, you don’t have to spend money to participate:

“GivingTuesday re-imagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity.

“Our global network collaborates year-round to inspire generosity around the world, with a common mission to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.

“Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.”

Our Golden Belt Community Foundation has grown the local Giving Tuesday to a monthlong campaign serving five counties. There are 127 organizations on their giving list this year and the Great Bend Tribune could probably share 127 stories about where the money goes and why people might want to support one or more of those groups. There are also organizations outside of the Giving Tuesday effort. And, as the organizers said, just showing up can sometimes be an act of generosity.

So, between now and the days following Thanksgiving, when you’re polishing off the leftover turkey, take time to be thankful again – and maybe share the bounty.

We at the Tribune will take Thanksgiving off, and so will the U.S. Postal Service, so there won’t be a newspaper this Thursday. On Saturday, the paper will come out again and Great Bend will celebrate the Home for the Holidays Festival, as well as Small Business Saturday. Hope to see you there.