CHICAGO, IL (November 28, 2016) — Black Friday online sales hit a record of more than $3.3 billion, according to multiple analysts. Driving much of the traffic were deals on electronic items such as large-screen TVs and toys, as buyers sought the perfect gifts. Cyber Monday sales today will push the number of sales even higher.

Tomorrow, #GivingTuesday gives consumers a fresh opportunity to be contributors this holiday season. The ECC hopes to raise $50,000 in the 24-hour time span to benefit some of the more than 21.3 million refugees around the world by providing basic necessities such as food, water, clothing, and medicine.

“The most recent statistics show that on average every day 34,000 people throughout the world are forced to flee their homes,” said President Gary Walter. “They are in desperate need of emergency shelter and other lifesaving supplies, and we as the Evangelical Covenant Church are committed to respond to these needs together.”

Visit refugee response to learn more about the Covenant’s work to share God’s love amid the crisis. World Relief International already is using funds supplied by Covenant World Relief to help refugees who are fleeing from Mosul, where a coalition of forces are fighting to free the city which has been under ISIS control since 2014. International observers say they expect as many as one million people to have immediate need of medicine, food, shelter, and basic supplies. The Covenant also works with partners throughout other parts of the world.

The refugee response is one of the many opportunities available in Covenant Cares, a guide that enables people to engage and connect with God’s work in the world through the ministries of the Covenant Church.