To the editor:

In 2012, two organizations got together and started Giving Tuesday. The spirit was to fall in line with Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday and CyberMonday.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of $116 million was raised for nonprofit organizations last year on Giving Tuesday.

Like all holiday hoopla, the opportunity to give should not be limited to just one day. You often spend many days over the holidays looking for that perfect gift to wrap and put under the tree. You hope it elicits that look that tells you without words, “This gift was perfect.”

Many of the organizations we or our friends are involved in do not have large development teams or marketing agencies to remind us to click that donate button on Tuesday. That should not stop you.

Many community nonprofits have a budget of less than $250,000 and depend on the work of volunteers. Imagine the expression when you hear someone say, “Your friend made a donation yesterday in your honor.”

Through of the support of your community and volunteers, local organizations get four to six times the value of every dollar donated. A $10 donation really makes a difference in your local community.

Your friends probably share stories of the organizations they support, of the NPR story that kept them in their car, or of the great things that are happening at their children’s schools.

Let them know you really listen and honor them with a gift to one or a couple community organizations.

Whether it is the Food Bank, animal shelter, church ministry, community clinic or numerous other types of organizations, your donation makes a difference and honors them for making a difference.

This holiday season, “give back,” “give a gift that keeps on giving” and “give more than a gift under the tree.” On Tuesday, remember to give to those who make a difference in our community.

To find organizations in your area to support, visit www.guidestar.org/search.

Patrick L. Belcher

Suffolk