NATCHITOCHES – In two days, homes across northwest Louisiana and the nation will be filled with throngs of family members thankful for being together.
 
In seven days, Northwestern State athletic supporters can send the same feelings of warmth and goodwill to the Demons Unlimited Foundation on #GivingTuesday.
 
The DUF and the Northwestern State University Foundation, the university's nonprofit fundraising arm, have partnered during #GivingTuesday, which is described as "a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration."
 
In its fifth year, #GivingTuesday is held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and after widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to charities and causes they support.
 
More than 700,000 people took part in #GivingTuesday this past year.
 
"Recent news regarding cuts to TOPS is just one of the many reasons why it is so important for us to expand our fund-raising initiatives and increase support for NSU," said Dr. Haley Blount Taitano, NSU's associate athletic director for external affairs. "In addition to increasing tuition costs, the cost of book scholarships went up more than $100,000 for the athletic department this year. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for the Demons Unlimited Foundation on this one day. If you've ever thought about giving back to Northwestern State University, now is the time."
 
In addition to engaging with supporters via various social media platforms, Taitano will host a three-hour live radio broadcast on 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches and 107.1 FM KWLV in Many. The show also will air online at www.kzblradio.com. Alumni and supporters of the university are encouraged to call in and share their stories and reasons for supporting Northwestern State.
 
Donors can call in to the show to pledge their support or may do so utilizing a pair of online-based initiatives.
 
For NSU athletics-specific support, donors can go to www.nsudemons.com/givingtuesday or Text "GIVE" to 318-602-4132 and select Demons Unlimited Foundation for your donation via text.
 
Supporters also may share their pledge on social media platforms by using the hashtags GivingTuesday and GivingTuesdayNSU.
 
The Demons Unlimited Foundation is the 501(c)3 nonprofit fundraising arm of the Northwestern State athletic department. The DUF helps support all 14 Division I sports at NSU via scholarships, team travel, equipment, salary support and more.