Giving Tuesday Encourages Charitable Donations in Dexter

Following two days of shopping and sales, nonprofit groups across the state are hoping local residents will consider making Tuesday a day of giving.

The Giving Tuesday campaign was developed by the Jewish Community Center in New York and the United Nations Foundation and aims to "create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season."

The idea is being promoted online via Twitter and other social media websites using the hashtag, #GivingTuesday.

The Salvation Army is encouraging Washtenaw County community members to join the movement by making an online donation at www.sawashtenaw.org or registering to ring a Red Kettle bell at www.registertoring.org and then spreading the word about their favorite charity.

Melanie Reyes Photography, a Dexter-based company, is offering photo sessions, with 50 percent of sales donated to Bridget Holtz, a relief nurse in Haiti.

The promotion includes $99 for a 20-minute session, including a portrait gallery with eight to 10 images and two 5x7 prints. Customers can choose an open weekend date between mid-January and mid-February.

For more information, visit http://www.melaniereyesphotography.com/blog.

For a list of participating charities, visit http://givingtuesday.org/get-involved/.