Forget Black Friday, Think #GivingTuesday!

This holiday season, 92Y, Giggle, and Mommy Nearest have joined forces to remind us of what is most important during this special time of year: giving back to those less fortunate. The team has collaborated to help New Yorkers celebrate #GivingTuesday, a national day of charity following the flurry of activity on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. On Tuesday December 3, families from the area can stop by 92Y or Giggle’s SoHo, Upper East Side, and Upper West Side locations to donate clothes and toys to the #GivingTuesday holiday drive. The donated items will be given to the Salvation Army, Baby Buggy, and Room to Grow.

#GivingTuesday can, and should be, a family affair! Participants are encouraged to bring their children along to donation locations to help them gain an understanding of the importance of charity. To celebrate contributors, Mommy Nearest will be setting up a photobooth outside of 92Y. Families can pose for an “unselfie” that can be used as a seasonal Holiday card!

One of the main ideas behind #GivingTuesday is that social media can be used to promote philanthropy. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook can bring individuals together so they can get involved with causes they care about. According to Joshua Milstein, CEO of Mommy Nearest, “We’ve seen amazing things from communities that come together and we hope to inspire others to share their own stories of giving.”

92Y is located at 1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street; Giggle has locations at 120 Wooster Street, 1033 Lexington Avenue, and 352 Amsterdam Avenue.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you&rsquo;ll never hear &ldquo;I&rsquo;m bored,&rdquo; when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world&rsquo;s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.

British Swim School - Manhattan

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;