ST. LOUIS — Tuesday, people all over the nation reached into their pockets to donate to some of their favorite organizations.
In the bi-state, several groups benefitted from that generosity.
Not all companies have a huge overhead or payroll, some rely on donations to fulfill critical needs in the community. 5 On Your Side highlighted a couple of the organizations to learn about their purpose.
At Pianos for People, a group of young learners are on a mission to make memorable melodies.
"I love the sound of piano,” 12-year-old Armaghan Nawabi said. "It makes me feel relaxed. The same way you feel when you paint."
Nawabi draws inspiration from professionals who play with ease.
"The way the piano players play, it makes me more interested,” she said expressing her interest in being an expert player one day.
That's why the staff do this week after week. Not only teaching music but also building confidence.
"The support system that we have here says, ‘Yes you can’,” Kayia Baker said.
It's why donations are the lifeline.
"It allows us to keep this mission going, to change lives through music,” she added.
Over at Meadows Elementary, even more lessons are happening.
"Chess is where we're actually able to give the young people strategy, help them learn to focus and also how to plan,” said Michael Woods with Dreambuilders for Equity.
His group is partnering with fellow non-profit The Soulfisher Ministries to reach kids while they're young. Students learn chess and in the process, learn so much more through mentorship.
With donations, this program has now spread to six schools.
Another component of Dreambuilders for Equity teaches young people how to rehab homes. Residents in need benefit from the services.
"This is just another avenue for us to be able to show our work to young people,” Woods said.
Nationwide, $3 million helped organizations on Giving Tuesday.
A similar community effort happens in about five months. Give STL Day, which has the same mission, will happen on May 9th.