Giving Tuesday breaks record for Foundation support

In a year in which households across the nation are struggling due to the rising costs of necessities, ATSS Foundation Director Lori Diaz tempered her expectations for the 2023 global day of philanthropy known as Giving Tuesday.

But yesterday’s giving not only exceeded her expectations but also set a record for the second year in a row.

“I was astonished by the generosity shown to the ATSS Foundation,” Diaz said. “People had the opportunity to support many deserving organizations with their donations on Giving Tuesday and I am honored that they chose to support us. I appreciate every individual and group who gave to the Foundation and is helping us finish the year strong.”

The Foundation’s goal for this year was $5,000, with the aim of meeting that target to receive the full matching funds offered by the Georgia ATSSA Chapter (GA-ATSSA), which was supported by the Jim Shirley Memorial Golf Tournament.

Instead, 30 donations totaled $11,380, bringing the overall total to $16,380, including the GA-ATSSA funds. This year’s total exceeded last year’s record-breaker of $12,851.

“The kindness shown this year will help us continue to support students and families devastated by work zone incidents and help us educate youth about the importance of careful driving in work zones,” Diaz said.

Giving Tuesday is observed the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. and is a day to “unleash the power of radical generosity around the world.” It has become a day for nonprofits to benefit from the generosity of individuals and groups.

As a result of the generosity of companies and individuals, the ATSS Foundation this year has already done the following:

• Award 14 Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships and one Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarship. The competitive scholarship program offers up to $10,000 annually for dependents of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in work zone incidents. Students who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism are eligible to apply for an additional $1,000 given in honor of Chuck Bailey, a roadway safety member who died in 2002.
• Award two Marty Weed Engineering Scholarships to newer public agency engineers to attend ATSSA’s 2023 Convention & Traffic Expo in Phoenix in February.
• Reach more than 13,850 people through display of the National Work Zone Memorial at 13 locations. The memorial is a traveling tribute to the lives lost in work zones.
• Reach more than 15,640 people through display of the virtual National Work Zone Memorial at 31 events.
• Reach more than 4,450 youngsters through the youth activity book as a result of 92 unique downloads and the purchase of 970 copies of the printed book. This guide for safety in construction work zones features 26 pages of coloring and learning activities.
• See 904 teenagers complete the National and Oklahoma Work Zone Safe Teen Driver course and provide nine $500 scholarships for the National Work Zone Safe Teen Driver program.
• Continue to offer Experience Camps Travel Scholarships to attend a summer camp to help children grieving a parent, sibling or caregiver who was lost to a roadway work zone incident.
• Add 17 names to the National Work Zone Memorial.

End-of-year giving offers another way to support the Foundation and offers potential tax benefits. The ATSS Foundation is a qualified 501(c)3 tax exempt organization with contributions tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Monthly giving also provides a budget-friendly way of supporting the Foundation throughout the year. Anyone signing up for monthly giving by Dec. 31 will receive an orange lapel pin that brings recognition of the donor’s support for the Foundation and its ongoing efforts to put an end to work zone tragedies.

Individuals can designate the program they wish to support through their giving and can donate online.

The Foundation’s Planned Giving program also provides an option for individuals as part of their estate planning. Consider including the Foundation in your estate planning.” (with link to gift intent form)

“We appreciate every dollar people choose to direct to the Foundation,” Diaz said. “Each of us can drive change by supporting the ongoing work of the Foundation to raise awareness of the dangers of work zones and our shared responsibility to drive safely.”