Giving Tuesday is a day for those all over the world, including Ohio University Bobcats, to share their generosity and support for those in the community.
Multiple organizations and non-profits encourage the public to donate and support various causes. This year, Bobcats have the opportunity to support the environment and local students through Giving Tuesday fundraisers.
At Jackie O’s Taproom, located at 25 Campbell St., residents and students are invited to Pints with a Purpose, hosted by Stuart’s Opera House in support of its after school music and audio program. The music program was implemented for students in the area in need of an artistic outlet to share their love of music and performance.
Juno Beard, assistant director of arts education for Stuart’s, said the opera house is supporting about 65 students this year and 11 bands.
Beard said with an increase in demand for students wishing to join the music program, there is a limited amount of space, meaning several students work as the bands practice around them.
Beard also said the rooms are large and create an echo, which might affect the songwriting process.
“So when you have really loud amps or drums (and) students trying to play their song or get the full experience of their song, it can be really difficult to hear,” Beard said.
To combat this issue, Tuesday’s event is raising money for acoustic treatment for Stuart’s practice and recording rooms. Acoustic treatment, the process of improving sound quality in a space, ensures sound waves are reflected correctly, according to Audiophiles. Adam Remnant, director of arts education for Stuart’s, said acoustic treatment makes it easier for students to hear what is being played.
“It makes it so that music and sound isn't bouncing off the surfaces of the walls and ceiling and floor as much, which just makes it a more conducive listening environment,” Remnant said. “Which will benefit the students, will benefit the staff. It'll just make everything sound better.”
From every featured pint of beer from Jackie O’s, $1 is donated to Stuart’s and guests have additional opportunities throughout the night to donate directly to their fund.
Evan Seurkamp, AMP alum and instructor and member of the Laughing Chimes band, is performing, followed by Carter Tinkham, current AMP student, a solo performer and songwriter with a country adjacent sound. Beard and Remnant are also performing in their band Shirt Brothers.
“We are going to play a couple of original songs and maybe one cover,” Beard said. “It’ll be short … but just an extra thing to make it a fun evening and encourage people to get out and donate for Giving Tuesday.”
Locals can also give back Tuesday by supporting the Athens Conservancy, a non-profit land trust protecting wild land and biodiversity in the environment. The Conservancy strives to protect its 3,200 acres of land, and have partnered with the city and county to protect 300 acres of public land.
The non-profit had $5,032,824 in assets at the end of 2021, with $273,974 from contributions and grants. It is matching all donations dollar for dollar to its Bluebell fund. Dollars raised helps pay for university student’s summer internships, guided hikes, outreach programs, land acquisition and stewardship and invasive-plant removal.
Kate Kelley, president of the Conservancy, said donations will help acquire land from owners who want to protect the natural environment on their property. Kelley said the Conservancy focuses on protecting watersheds and forested areas because they are important for public health and carbon sequestration, the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations and the ocean.
“(Carbon sequestration) is very important for buffering the effects of climate change,” Kelley said.
Kelley highlighted the importance and impact the Conservancy’s interns have, and said they make a positive impact in their local areas. Kelley said engaging young minds makes a difference and it is essential to have the funds to support them.
“People out of town can visit and feel what it feels like to be in a mature forest,” Kelley said. “You can see the use of your dollars in terms of carbon sequestration, and you can go out and enjoy it. It's not something far away that you'll never see, you'll never enjoy. This is right here, and everyone has access to our preserves.”
