Matisse Chocolatier Joins Global #GivingTuesday Movement

By Stephen Saulpaugh

[December 2015 - Orangeburg, New York] – People of Rockland County should prepare themselves for a sweet celebration. Matisse Chocolatier has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. 

 On Tuesday December 1st, people who attend “Matisse Chocolatier’s Winter Wonderland” at Orangetown Center will enjoy free homemade fresh chocolate, a meet and greet with Elsa from the hit movie ‘Frozen’, coloring contests, and fun raffles with grand prizes that include chocolate for a year and decadent holiday platters. Owner Lucille Skroce will give all proceeds raised from her event to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. #GivingTuesday aims to inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

Lucille Skroce, owner of Matisse Chocolatier, said, “This is my first year participating in #GivingTuesday, but my store and I have always tried to go above and beyond for causes that mean a lot to me, like Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. During this event, I hope that the chocolate we give and the memories we help others make will encourage everyone to lend a helping hand.”

CA 213 students at St. Thomas Aquinas College have been working with Matisse Chocolatier all semester, developing an extensive Public Relations plan and bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world. The #GivingTuesday event represents the culmination of their efforts. “This project has been challenging, but the reward will be to see this event come together,” said CA major Nicholas DeGiorgio. “Lucille Embodies giving. She's allowing us to practice PR and event planning, providing invaluable experiences, and in turn we want to help make her #GivingTuesday event a huge success.”

Students are sending news releases and pitch letters to various media outlets and bloggers to promote the event. “I pitched the blogger “Rockland 411” and they ran the story!” says CA major Timothy Herasimtschuk. “It’s rewarding to use the skills from class and apply them to a real client!” Students have also garnered PR from Nyack Hospital, The Rockland County Times, and Patch.com.Media outlets such as News 12, LoHud, Rockland 411 will all cover the event being run by Matisse and the student of STAC.

By joining the #GivingTuesday movement, Skroce hopes to raise funds and awareness for Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital in an effort to aid in research for cancer cures. Matisse Chocolatier is using their homemade fresh chocolate to give sweet treats to everyone attending their winter event, in hope to encourage others to take a more active role in helping others in society. In addition to hosting a variety of fun activities, the event will focus on helping others around the Holiday season.

Those who are interested in joining Matisse Chocolate's #GivingTuesday initiative can visit 32 Orangetown Center, Orangeburg, New York 10962. For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow @GivingTues and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter.


Stephen Saulpaugh is studying Communication Arts at St. Thomas Aquinas College.