Founded in 2012, Giving Tuesday will be on November 29, 2022. It is an opportunity for individuals, organizations and corporations to give back to their communities. In conjunction with Giving Tuesday, Flyers alum Don Saleski is raising money for BLOCS (Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools).
Saleski is passionate about providing educational opportunities for inner city youths and has been both a fundraiser and leader for BLOCS For more than 40 years, BLOCS has provided educational opportunities for students throughout the Delaware Valley, ages pre-K through 12th grade.
“I’ve been involved with BLOCS for about 15 years,and was chairman for four years. My association with BLOCS has been very rewarding. We strive to provide kids from underserved communities with access to a high quality, values-based education in Philadelphia area Catholic schools,” Saleski explained.
“When you look at our underserved communities in the inner city, generations of kids are caught in a cycle of poverty that they can’t get out of without philanthropic help. It’s up to those of us who have been more fortunate in life to help. There are different ways we can help. Raise awareness. Assist financially to the best of our ability. The bottom line is that it produces measurably better outcomes for these children.”
Saleski points out with pride that the high school graduation rate for the children BLOCS has assisted in matriculating in Catholic schools is nearly 100 percent. The majority go on the higher education.
“We give these kids the tools to break the cycle they’re caught in,” Saleski said. “They become respected leaders in their community. They go on to college or vocational training, then they take it back to their community and pay it forward to the next generation. That’s how you change not only individual lives. You make an impact on entire communities.”
Saleski stresses that his intention is not to pressure people to contribute beyond their means but rather to inform others that they can make a direct impact on the lives of young people. His aims are utilitarian, not sectarian.
“What this is all about is helping young people get to a better place in life and provide opportunities they might otherwise never have,” Saleski said. “It’s about taking potential and developing it; making lives more than are today. It’s incremental. Giving fosters greatness. We give a little and we get back a lot.”
To learn more and make donation to Don’s campaign, click here. On social media, explore the hashtags #iGiveCatholic, #boardofdirectors, #fundraisingchallenge, #nonprofits, #givingtuesday, #BLOCS, #philadelphia, #philanthropy, #philadelphia, #catholiceducation.