By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

After shopping for great Christmas gift deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, think about contributing some funds on #Giving Tuesday  in support of a most worthy cause – Catholic education here in the Diocese of Trenton.

Alicia Plaag, associate director of educational advancement in the diocesan Department of Development, said the Diocese for the first time will participate in the global social media movement #Giving Tuesday Nov. 29. From midnight until 11:59 p.m. , donors can contribute to the Foundation for Student Achievement. To make a secure, tax-deductible contribution, log on to dioceseoftrenton.org/givingtuesday.

Established in 2007, the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools established the Foundation for Student Achievement to ensure a quality education for all Catholic school students within the Diocese. The foundation’s focus is to provide tuition assistance to students from families experiencing financial constraints; offer innovative and creative opportunities of teaching and learning not covered by the normal school budget process; prepare and position the schools to attract additional resources, and to organize private sector involvement with the Catholic schools under the auspices of the Diocese in a positive and appropriate manner.

Commenting on the significance of the Diocese engaging in Giving Tuesday, the biggest online giving day of the year as a pilot project, Steve Nicholl, director of the Department of Development, sees it as generating “broader support for our Catholic schools and educating people about the success of our Catholic schools.”

He said using social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, is the best way to reach so many people in a short amount of time.

“It’s all about trying to reach out to a new audience for support,” Nicholl said. “We want to reach out to the friends of our friends for support.”

JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, emphasized how donations to the foundation  helps families facing economic difficulties provide a Catholic education for their children.

“Students learn and live the Gospel message as they are immersed in a 21st century learning environment, which addresses the development of the mind, body and spirit,” said Tier. “Investing in the Foundation for Student Achievement is an investment in the life of a child and in the future leaders of tomorrow.”