Community support was remarkable for Lakeside Chautauqua's third annual #GivingTuesday initiative on December 1, raising more than $132,000 for the Lakeside Fund. Globally, more than $116 million was given as we celebrated this day of giving back.

Together, we collected $14,000 more in gifts than last year, making #GivingTuesday 2015 a true community effort. More than 140 gifts were received from Lakesiders across 20 U.S. states and 54 Ohio cities in support of Lakeside's mission.  

Primarily, Lakesiders demonstrated their support for teen programming and a youth activity center, with several families stepping up with a collective challenge gift of $55,000, encouraging Lakesiders to give a first-time gift or increase their annual gift on #GivingTuesday. We would like to thank these families and all subsequent donors who shared their love of Lakeside and generous support of Lakeside's youth.  

Throughout the day, Lakesiders shared stories of gratitude, reflected on blessings received, and encouraged one another to give.  

Additionally, gifts were received to support the endowment, storm repairs, Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, recreational programming and facilities, the Memorial Garden at Chautauqua Park, religious life programming, education, the C. Kirk Rhein, Jr., Center for the Living Arts, Hotel Lakeside, youth group housing and Ohio's Most Beautiful Mile gardens. Gifts were also made in honor or in memory of loved ones.  

Joining the #GivingTuesday movement, more than 13 families and individuals gave back to Lakeside for the very first time. #GivingTuesday gifts also marked 20 or more years of consecutive giving for 30 Lakeside families, and 15 families have been giving for 10 to 19 consecutive years.  

To support the #GivingTuesday initiative, several teens graciously shared their Lakeside stories and memories on our blog, The Front Porch.

Over the past three weeks, 100 teens shared their stories, pictures and comments with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. They have talked about their hopes for the future or teen programming, shared what activities they currently participate in, and highlighted the importance of how #GivingTuesday gifts will impact the Lakeside Chautauqua experience for years to come.

Thanks to our social media outreach, which shared the #GivingTuesday hashtag, many individuals may have heard about Lakeside for the first time. On Facebook alone, we reached more than 15,000 individuals leading up to the event.