Most people are familiar with the two the busiest shopping days of the year, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. During a time dominated by sales, demands for people to buy more, giveaways and doorbusters, it’s easy to get caught up in giving your time and energy to things that distract your focus from some of the true reasons for the holiday season – family, tradition and generosity.

Created to be a holiday that focuses more on giving rather than receiving, the “International Day of Giving,” or “Giving Tuesday,” launched in 2012 with a goal to inspire millions of people across the world to show up and give back to the causes and issues that matter most to them.

“In an era of global crisis and disconnection, we need new rituals to connect us,”the Giving Tuesday website reads. The founders of this special day believe that with the power of technology and social media, generosity and giving can go viral. They believe that people genuinely want to give and talk about it, and the social world has the capacity to display those acts of collaboration, leadership and creativity.

In that spirit, this Giving Tuesday, Mattress Firm wanted to bring awareness to a worthy cause and one its employees are all passionate about. The Mattress Firm Foster Kids program was launched in 2015 to help make a positive impact on the lives of the thousands of foster children in need. In partnership with the Ticket to Dream Foundation, Mattress Firm hosts three in-kind donation drives annually, focused on the importance of sleep, especially for disadvantaged kids. Just in time for the holiday season, from October 9 – December 15, all Mattress Firm stores across the country will be collecting bedtime toys to give back to local foster kids in need during our Bears & Bedtime Toys Drive.

Additionally, participating Mattress Firm stores will have teddy bears available for purchase in store. Proceeds will be donated to the company’s foster care non-profit partners. Once purchased, the guest can choose to keep the bear to take home or place it in the collection bin in to be donated to a foster child in their community.

Something as simple as a teddy bear can make a huge difference in a foster child’s life and help bring them a sense of comfort. Nighttime can be a scary time in unfamiliar homes, and even more so during the holiday season, a time when most are looking forward to spending time with family. We’re encouraging everyone to GIVE BIG to local foster children in need by participating in our drive.

To find out more about Mattress Firm Foster Kids, visit our website at www.mattressfirmfosterkids.org or visit a Mattress Firm store near you.