Giving Tuesday: These Pocono organizations are worth your donation

This holiday season, you can help local charities get a boost on Giving Tuesday.

Here's a list of local charities running Giving Tuesday campaigns you can donate to.

AllOne Charities

AllOne Charities has partnered with 46 organizations in northeastern and northcentral Pennsylvania to boost fundraising efforts on Giving Tuesday, by matching organizations' first $1,000 raised. An additional $1,000 will be given to the organization that raises the most, and additional $1,000 for campaigns with the most donors.

Match Day organizations include Pocono charities such as Monroe County Meals on Wheels, Sights for Hope and more. Learn more at allonefoundations.org/all-one-give-day.

This news organization has also partnered with AllOne on this year's Toys for Joy campaign, allowing the public to make donations online for the first time.

The gift of giving: Pocono Record’s Toys for Joy returns, donate online or via USPS

Pocono Environmental Education Center

PEEC provides environmental and outdoor education to 25,000 students in the NY, NJ and PA areas.

Make a donation by texting PEEC to 44321, or online at peec.org. Credit card and check donations can also be made via this form. Simply fill the form out and mail to 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328.

Clymer Library

You can donate to the Clymer Library online, or by dropping off a cash or check donation onsite at 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines.

You can also donate an unwrapped gift to the library's Giving Tree campaign by Wednesday.

The library will also host a tree lighting celebration 5:30 p.m., Friday. Snow/rain date is Saturday, Dec. 4.

Hawk Mountain

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has officially kicked off the holiday season by participating in the global Giving Tuesday movement. Funds raised go toward the #ContinuetheCount campaign, which feeds into the sanctuary's 2021 Annual Fund.

The #ContinuetheCount campaign is to remind supporters of Hawk Mountain’s original and longest running mission: to continue the ongoing raptor monitoring efforts that first curator Maurice Broun started when the Sanctuary opened 87 years ago. Donations help Hawk Mountain continue the organization's raptor conservation science and education efforts around the world.

This year, online gifts up to $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to a generous donor, so your contribution can go twice as far in supporting the Sanctuary. Donations can be made online at hawkmountain.org/give/annual-fund-page, in person at the Visitor Center, or by mail. For more information, visit hawkmountain.org/givingtuesday or contact Hawk Mountain Sanctuary at info@hawkmountain.org or at 610-756-6961.

Pocono Mountains United Way

This year, the Pocono Mountains United Way is aiming to raise $25,000 for Giving Tuesday, with AllOne Charities as Giving Tuesday Match Day sponsor. Donate online via the AllOne Charities' Giving Tuesday page at formstack.io/8DCDB and select Pocono Mountains United Way as the match day organization.

Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center

Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center provides outdoor education to students in northeast Pa.

The AllOne Foundation will match donations made to Lacawac Sanctuary up to the organization's goal of $1,000. Go to formstack.io/8DCDB and select Lacawac as your match day organization.

"Whether it's $5, $50, or $100 your support and participation in Lacawac's #GivingTuesday will be felt by the thousands of students and families who attend education programs with us." The sanctuary said in a press release.

Monroe County Habitat for Humanity

You can help build homes for Monroe County families this holiday by donating to the Monroe Habitat for Humanity's Giving Tuesday campaign. Every dollar spent on donations will be matched twice thanks to Facebook and an "anonymous local supporter." This year, donations will go towards meeting the organization's year-end goal of $15,000, as well as "completing 30 home preservation projects."

Donate online at habitatmc.org/give, or download, print and fill out Habitat's provided form and mail checks made out to Monroe County Habitat for Humanity to 354 Memorial Blvd., Tobyhanna, PA 18466 or fax to 570-216-4390.

GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center

Milford-based GAIT provides children and adults with cognitive, emotional, physical, or behavioral challenges opportunities to feel better physically and emotionally through equine-assisted services incorporating therapy, learning, and horsemanship.

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, GAIT has raised more than $1,500 of their $2,000 goal. Donate online at gaittrc.networkforgood.com/projects/143141-givingtuesday-2021.

Brodhead Watershed Association

The Brodhead Watershed Association is inviting the public to participate in their Giving Tuesday fundraiser campaign, which aims to raise $2,000.

"Only 3% of all philanthropic giving is allocated toward environmental causes, so this year for Giving Tuesday, we have set a goal to raise $2,000 to continue to fulfill our science based, clean water mission." The BWA wrote on Facebook.

The BWA writes monthly columns and articles on Pocono hikes, invasive plant species and other environmental topics for the Pocono Record.

Donate via Facebook: bit.ly/3o7tUoa.

Friends of the Upper Delaware

Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) is the leading advocacy voice for the Delaware River.

"We live here, we wake up every day by the river, and we understand the rhythms of the watershed and the needs of both residents and visitors to our region." The organization wrote in a press release.

"There are many competing interests for Delaware River water and the tail waters below the NYC water supply reservoirs require a full-time advocacy voice to make sure water quality, the health of river based economies, and the world class wild trout fishery are top notch!"

FUDR is participating in Giving Tuesday. Donors will be eligible to win special prizes based on the amount they donate:

$100.00+ donation: Entered into a drawing for a 1-day guided float trip on the Upper Delaware

$250.00+ donation: FUDR Hat

$300.00+ donation: Entered into a drawing to win an Ed Parkinson signed, numbered & framed print

The public can donate online at bit.ly/3G2qJ7G or by mailing checks to FUDR, 158 East Front Street, Hancock, NY 13783.

Pocono Mountains Music Festival

The Pocono Mountains Music Festival is participating in Giving Tuesday ahead of their Holiday Extravaganza show starring the Pocono Pops, slated for Sunday at the Sherman Theater.

"Ticket sales cover less than 1/3 of the cost of each performance." The PMMF's website says. "In order to continue developing programs and bring you the highest quality performances, we need the help of generous donors like you!"

Donors can head to poconofest.org/support to make an online donation.

Pocono Heritage Land Trust

The Pocono Heritage Land Trust protects the region's natural lands and resources, in efforts to preserve "an inhabitable world for future generations." The organization is participating in Giving Tuesday.

"Every donation to Pocono Heritage Land Trust helps to protect the forests and streams that make the Pocono Mountains so very special." The organization said in a press release.

The public can donate via PayPal, debit or credit card online at phlt.org/donate.html.

According to PHLT, monetary donations are not the only way to support the organization's efforts. Volunteering can also make a difference. Learn how you can become a "steward", or sign up for one of the PHLT's volunteer workdays by heading to phlt.org/volunteer.html.

Ashley Fontones is the Managing Editor at Pocono Record. Reach her at afontones@poconorecord.com.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Pocono charities participating in Giving Tuesday fundraising