#GivingTuesday Inspiring People to Give Money or Time

This is the second year of #GivingTuesday, a day to give back to your community during the holiday season.

Henry Timms, interim director of the 92nd Street Y who founded the day with the United Nations Foundation, said the movement has grown from about 2,500 participants last year to more than 8,000 this year. This year it's also gone global, he said, encompassing countries like Mexico, Singapore and Zimbabwe, and Canada.

Timms said technology has helped spread the traditional idea of giving back.

"It's especially powerful, I think, with the next generation of people who want to share messages via local media and via their Facebook and Twitter accounts," he said. "People everywhere are really proudly talking about the causes that they're supporting...the volunteering they're doing, the work going on in their local community."

Timms said he hopes #GivingTuesday will one day be as popular as Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Here's how some individuals and organizations are celebrating giving back on #GivingTuesday. Tweet yours using the hashtags #givingtuesday and #unselfie:

How do you give back to our communities? Join us for #GivingTuesday by supporting the ULIF http://t.co/LaBRFOmxfJ pic.twitter.com/cWEhGcMaan

— Urban Land Institute (@UrbanLandInst) December 3, 2013

If you’re at a loss for Christmas gift ideas, you could give to someone who really needs it. #GivingTuesday: http://t.co/7wUGxLFGEX

— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 3, 2013

We've joined the #UNselfie movement in honor of #GivingTuesday! Join in on the fun at http://t.co/P23aT9HrnE pic.twitter.com/HU5NzRRV3B

— TakePart (@TakePart) December 1, 2013

Selfie for a good cause! Help Typhoon #Haiyan survivors and take an #Unselfie w/ donation info http://t.co/Pf5wEL0Ls8 pic.twitter.com/OqZTDpugS8

— RebelMouse (@RebelMouse) November 19, 2013