(RED BANK – NOV. 26) “Giving Tuesday,” founded in 2012 by New York City’s 92nd St. YMCA and the United Nations Foundation, was originally a “response to commercialism and consumerism” during the holiday season.

It has since turned into an international day of giving.

This Tuesday, December 3, the nonprofit Count Basie Center for the Arts will join forces with 94.3 The Point and Citi for a live, onsite broadcast to debut the public phase of the Basie Center’s capital campaign.

Titled “Count Yourself In,” the campaign marks the final stages of the Basie’s expansion, which will transform the historic theater into a block-wide, state-of-the-art center for the performing arts. Throughout the broadcast, the Basie’s social media will debut never-before-seen photos and video of the project, giving the public its first glimpse of the new Count Basie Center for the Arts.

Even better: the first $25,000 raised from the daylong radiothon will be matched by Citi.

“We are so pleased to be highlighting our expansion this Giving Tuesday,” said Maria D. Sorensen, Vice President, Development, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “This is the perfect moment for the community to get involved and support the project, as it is the inspiration behind wanting to grow our campus and offerings.”

“It is especially exciting to continue our Giving Tuesday partnership with Townsquare Media and 94.3 The Point, and with a matching gift from Citi, our donors can double their impact.”

“Everyone at the Basie is very excited about what is happening right now,” says Tom Widener, Chairman, Count Basie Center Board of Trustees. “We are moving toward completion of our expanded, world-class center for the arts, and the Basie team is actively working on additional education programs and beginning to schedule diverse shows that the new Basie will allow.  We really look forward to the continued support from the community and hope that all who appreciate the Basie and the many things we do will ‘count themselves in’ to the campaign.”

The “Giving Tuesday” broadcast from the Basie will kick-off at 5:30am with 94.3 The Point’s “Lou and Liz In The Morning.” Listeners will be invited to drop by and give donations in person, or to make donations via theBASIE.org. Patrons outside the listening area can tune in via 943thepoint.com.

“The Jersey Shore community takes pride in working together and rallying around important causes, “ said Steve Ardolina, Jersey Shore Regional Operations Manager, Townsquare Media – parent company of 94.3 The Point. “It’s a distinct honor and pleasure to work with team at the Count Basie Center to support the great work they do at the Academy Of the Arts, which keeps the arts alive for the children of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.”

The live “Giving Tuesday” broadcast will also feature performances from students of the Count Basie Center Academy of the Arts, including students from its jazz, classical music and performing arts programs.