On Tuesday, Nov. 28, Chautauqua Institution joins individuals, families and non-profit organizations from all 50 states and in countries around the world for Giving Tuesday. This growing, global movement celebrates the collective gifts shared in community with one another. At Chautauqua, these are gifts of artistic expression, lifelong learning, multigenerational experiences, and treasured moments that lift up the best of human values.

Throughout the day on Giving Tuesday, the Institution invites the community to join an online celebration. On its social media channels, namely Facebook at facebook.com/chq1874, there will be a series of special video announcements regarding upcoming programs, updates on educational and community engagement initiatives for Chautauqua County students, and messages from the Institution’s leadership.

One exciting initiative is Battle of the Books, a lively academic competition offered to Chautauqua County fifth-grade students that aims to improve reading comprehension and build vocabulary, all while teaching teamwork and good sportsmanship. In its second year, 37 teams from 14 schools — encompassing a group of approximately 180 students — are registered to participate in the 2018 Battle of the Books. Each team will read 12 pre-assigned books over five months before gathering together at the Institution for an interactive trivia “battle.” On Giving Tuesday, program Co-Organizer Sara Toth, lecture and literary arts associate at Chautauqua Institution, will announce on social media the titles selected for this year’s reading list.

The Institution attracts more than 100,000 people each summer to Chautauqua County and engages in cooperative efforts throughout the year to make a local impact — from environmental projects related to improving the health of Chautauqua Lake to employing approximately 1,500 young people, local artists, performers and educators during the summer. Recent initiatives in Chautauqua County schools have partnered the Institution with area teachers to provide arts education programs for local elementary school students, as well as scholarships for area children to attend a week at Chautauqua’s Boys’ and Girls’ Club day camp this past summer. For more on Battle of the Books, arts education initiatives and other programs, visit chq.org/about-us/community-engagement.

Additionally, on Nov. 24, Chautauqua Institution introduced the Winter Village at Chautauqua, a family-oriented series of events that celebrate the joy and fellowship of the holiday season. The Winter Village showcases the Institution’s picturesque grounds, boutique shops, restaurants and a bevy of activities hosted each weekend through New Year’s Eve on Bestor Plaza, including a holiday lighting, fire pits, horse-drawn carriage or wagon rides, cupcake decorating, Breakfast with Santa and more. For details, visit chq.org/winter.

This holiday season, the Institution invites the community to the grounds during the Winter Village, and to visit Facebook on Giving Tuesday for these types of announcements and other updates. As a special thank you for those participating in Giving Tuesday, anyone making a gift to the annual Chautauqua Fund (of any amount) on Nov. 28 will be entered to win a $100 Institution gift card and a Chautauqua Bookstore gift basket.

For more details about Chautauqua Institution’s Giving Tuesday initiative, visit the website chq.org/giving-Tuesday or Facebook at facebook.com/chq1874. Contact foundation@chq.org or 716-357-6404 with questions.

For more information about the global movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website at givingtuesday.org, visit Facebook at facebook.com/GivingTuesday or follow the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter.