The Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Since its inception in 1989, PPEF has awarded more than $1.7 million in financial assistance for college scholarships to benefit the children of industry professionals.

Occurring this year on November 28, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, after the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to kick off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate on improving their local communities and giving back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

“Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to give back to the promotional products community,” says Lori Bauer, PPEF board chair. “I feel blessed to have built a career in this amazing industry, and my gifts of time and money to PPEF have been my way of thanking the industry for everything I have received. I hope others will join me on November 28 and make a gift to support college scholarships for industry families.”

Funded by PPAI and donations from the promotional products industry, the PPEF scholarship program enables youth and professionals to continue their education on a collegiate level. The Association and industry patrons have a longstanding commitment of service to the promotional products industry and this fund supports those who demonstrate the same commitment.

#GivingTuesday was conceptualized by 92Y—a cultural center in New York City that, since 1874, has been bringing people together around its core values of community service and giving back—as a new way to strengthen communities and encourage giving. In 2016, the fifth year of #GivingTuesday, millions of people in 98 countries came together to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $177 million was raised online to benefit a broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.