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'Give with your heart': Local organizations give back to community on 'Giving Tuesday'

By Mark Barber
By Mark Barber

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Now that we're done with all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, it's finally time for Giving Tuesday.

Many non-profits and charities rely on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to meet their fundraising goals.

On Tuesday morning, the Panthers' Top Cats and Sir Purr joined American Airlines volunteers at Charlotte Douglas Airport to stuff 200 backpacks for children of fallen soldiers.

The kids are also getting an all-expense paid trip to Disney World in December.

[ALSO READ: Charlotte companies give back to the community on #GivingTuesday]

"This is truly helping young children who have lost a loved one come back to a new normal," the president of the North Carolina United Service Organization said.

Sadly, three more American soldiers were killed in a bombing in Afghanistan on Tuesday.

If you can't stuff book bags or give money on Giving Tuesday, you can still give the gift of life. The Red Cross is setting up blood drives across Charlotte.

"It's really important that you make time during the day to give blood," said Carola Cardnas, the Executive Director of the YMCA in NoDa.

She's giving blood because the Red Cross desperately needs help.

The non-profit is short 21,000 gallons of blood because of Hurricane Florence and Michael.

[ALSO READ: What is #GivingTuesday and how can you participate?]

Cardenas said, "This is a great time of year to remind yourselves how blessed we are and how many gifts we have and what better way to give back than with your blood."

As volunteers across the city give back on Tuesday, Falkenbury says it's not too late for you to help too.

"Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to help your favorite charity. Do that thinking with your mind and give with your heart," he said.

The Salvation Army tells Channel 9 they need furniture more than anything. They're even willing to come pick it up.

United Way says they use Giving Tuesday to encourage people to volunteer.

Here are the locations where you can donate blood to the Red Cross on Tuesday: 

Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson St.
Charlotte, NC 28205
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Keith Family YMCA, 8100 Old Mallard Creek Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28262
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson St.,
Cornelius, NC 28031
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wells Fargo Atrium, 301 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28288
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28210
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

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