Athens, GA. – With as little as one dollar, one local non-profit organization here in Athens was able to make a difference in the community.

Elyse isn’t just a YMCA employee today. She helped make a big difference in a small way by baking a sweet treat to sell for Giving Tuesday. The nation-wide day of giving is celebrated following Thanksgiving to focus on giving back for the upcoming holdiay season.

YMCA Membership Director, Jacqueline Shirley, says this is their second year participating.

“We have a lot of treats donated and made by our staff and members and we’re selling for a dollar. And then we also have some bread made by a local caterer in town,” said Shirley.

Last year the YMCA met a goal of $700 and this year they are trying to surpass that with a goal of $1200.

Marketing Coordinator Abby Bramblett says donating isn’t just good for the community but for a person’s health as well.

“It’s very good for you as a person to give back to your community, it’s makes you feel a part of something bigger than yourself. People who give back tend to have higher self esteem. People who give back tend to actually live healthier lives,” Bramblett said.

The YMCA wasn’t the only one involved. Books for Keeps, which is a local nonprofit that raises money for children without books, has a special challenge going on to help motivate people to donate.

“If everybody in our network donates $1, our supporter Celia Baker is matching each of those dollars until we hit our $5000 goal.” Leslie Hale said.

Women to the World International, a local nonprofit right here in Athens they’re even helping women overseas in countries such as Afghanistan, Turkey, and Kenya.

“Now our work is in Turkey, Syria border. We only go to warzones abroad. West Africa and East Africa We serve orphans, women needing micro business. We have a lot of farm projects for women who are suffering and hungry” Founder Doris Aldrich said.

Women to the World has a goal of $10,000 that they’d like to reach today.

By: Ariel Mallory