HORACE, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that provides planting, harvesting, haying and hay hauling assistance free of charge to farm and ranch families who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster, received a generous boost to operations through Giving Hearts Day.

Giving Hearts Day is an annual fundraising campaign that benefits charitable organizations in North Dakota and western Minnesota. The 24-hour online day of giving allows individuals to maximize their contributions thanks to matching funds provided by generous donors.

This year, Farm Rescue supporters raised $28,324.12 for the North Dakota-based nonprofit, which is the largest Giving Hearts Day contribution to date. The record setting amount comes at an important time for Farm Rescue as the organization recently completed its busiest year ever. In 2017, more than 125 farm and ranch families received assistance through volunteer planting, haying, harvesting and hay hauling efforts. Farm Rescue also assisted its 500th family in crisis since operations first began in 2006.

All donations received on Giving Hearts Day will be used to continue Farm Rescue’s altruistic mission in 2018, as more rural families realize assistance following unexpected crises.

“The compassion and generosity shown by donors on Giving Hearts Day is truly wonderful.” said Bill Gross, Founder & President, Farm Rescue. “It has a very positive impact on our ability to continue helping farm and ranch families throughout the region. Thank you to all who support our altruistic mission.”