JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – It was a busy day of giving all across North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Thursday, February 8th.
Dakota Medical Foundation’s 24 hour Giving Hearts Day fundraising event raised $13,122,400 through 63,586 donations. Early figures indicate 28,043 people donated.
That’s an increase of $2.5 million donated compared to 2017.
“These kinds of things don’t happen unless you’re living among just awesome people that care about others,” Dakota Medical Foundation President Pat Traynor said.
Over 400 charities benefited from the day of giving. Locally, 14 charities had great success.
Alpha Opportunities Incorporated raised $18,750 that will be used for their everyday operations.
The Jamestown Arts Center $12,520, exceeding their goal. This includes their matching gift.
“Giving Hearts Day was very successful for The Arts Center. It as a great way for us to work together with other nonprofits to raise awareness of all that our organizations do to improve our community as well as receive donations that help pay for our programs and services,” Executive Director Larry Kopp stated.
St. John’s Academy raised a little over $25,000 according to Development Coordinator Peggy Etzold. That’s with online gifts, matching fits and check totals.
Jim Klemann, Director of Annual Giving at the University of Jamestown, says they had a record breaking day for the event overall.
“It was also a great day for UJ student scholarships and programs,” Klemann stated. “Contributions at givingheartsday.org, as well as at uj.edu, combined with calls and visits from our donors raised over $36,000 in a 24-hour timeframe. We are grateful to all who participated, and encourage others who may like to give to UJ to do so at uj.edu/donations.”
Other area organizations had a record breaking day as well.
The Anne Carlsen Center exceeded their 2017 record high of $200,000. Associate Development Director Felicia Sargeant reports that they placed 2nd in giving this year.
“Our 2018 goal of $300,000 was met and exceeded by bringing in $406,000 and placing us in 2nd place this year,” Sargeant stated. “We have such a wonderful group of Giving Hearts supporting us!”
The Jamestown Regional Medical Center had an equally successful day according to Marketing Manager Katie Ryan-Anderson.
“We raised more than $75,000 yesterday,” Ryan-Anderson said.
This will be used for the germ-zapping robot and other patient services at the JRMC.