Giving is the reason for the season, so it seems only appropriate that #GivingTuesday would follow shopping days Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday is a social media movement that began about five years ago as a worldwide initiative for philanthropy.
At http://www.givingtuesday.org, people can search for non-profits in their area, or anywhere, should they choose to give on a nation-wide or worldwide level. Currently, Sidney has four non-profit groups that are registered with the website, including The Boys & Girls Club of Richland County, The Foundation for Community Care, the MonDak Heritage Center, and the Sidney Gymnastics Club.
In honor of #GivingTuesday, a local donor will be matching up to $50,000 of all funds donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Richland County on Nov. 29th. Donors can designate their donation to: the Capital Campaign Fund, the Operational Fund, Back a Kid Fund, the STEM Program, the Arts Program, Healthy Snacks, or Fitness & Sports. There are also two new funding opportunities including the Backpack program that will be starting in 2017; backpacks will be sent home with 50 kids in need, filled with meals and snacks for the weekend. Another new funding opportunity is a literacy program called Write Brain, in which kids will write and publish their own books, being able to take home a hardcover copy of their completed work.
Donations can be made online at http://www.richlandbgc.org or pledges can be called into 406-433-6763. Donations can also be mailed to or dropped off at the club, located at 200 3rd Ave SE, Sidney, MT, 59270. Additionally, the Boys & Girls Club of Richland County invites the community to join them for their family feast on Nov. 17th; anyone interested can call for more information.
“We love to have people visit the club and see what we’re all about, and we can always use volunteers,” said CEO Elaine Stedman.
The Foundation for Community Care (FFCC) is also receiving dollar-for-dollar matching on Giving Tuesday from their corporate sponsors. All donations will be contributed to their Endowment Fund, and will continue to support their mission: The Foundation for Community Care ensures the continuance and quality of local healthcare services.
“This movement is impactful because it creates an opportunity for people to selflessly give to the organizations that benefit their community,” commented Executive Director Gina Heckey.
Donations can be made to the FFCC by clicking on the link on their website at http://www.foundationforcommunitycare.org, or by calling them at 406-488-2273. And, of course, people are always welcome to stop by the FFCC at 221 2nd St NW in Sidney to make their contribution.
“Last year was great; we had people coming in all day. It was like a revolving door!” she added.
The MonDak Heritage Center is taking donations by phone, 406-433-3500, via PayPal on their website, http://www.mondakheritagecenter.org. Supporters are also welcome to mail in their donations or stop in. They are located at 120 3rd Ave SE in Sidney. Funds can be designated to their Endowment Fund, Education Program, History Library, Music at the MonDak, Preservation, or their general fund. All donations support the MonDak Heritage Center’s mission: To engage, educate, and inspire our community by preserving and contributing to the area’s arts, culture, and heritage.
Sidney Gymnastics Club (SGC) is a youth sports non-profit 501 (3) (c) organization that has been providing gymnastics opportunities to Richland County children since 1989. SGC staff have taught gymnastics skills to 320 kids between September 2015 and August 2016, having a motto of “Fitness is Fun”. With 210 young people already enrolled-and many more expected-for the 2016-2017 school term, SGC looks forward to another great year of kids participating in its healthy and FUN classes!”
If anyone is looking to make a donation to the SGC for #GivingTuesday, they can mail it to Sidney Gymnastics Club, PO Box 418, Sidney, MT, 59270 or drop it off in person. Donors can also contact any gymnastics member and donors may remain anonymous if they so choose.
All funds will go to support their mission: To provide a healthy, fun, and safe atmosphere for children to learn the skills and techniques of both recreational and competitive gymnastics.
For more information, visit them on Facebook or call 406-433-3008.
Even if your non-profit of choice is not listed on the #GivingTuesday website, make a difference and make a donation for an organization that supports a cause near-and-dear to your heart and encourage that organization to register at http://www.givingtuesday.org. Any 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization can register and the user-friendly website provides a ‘tool kit’ for those organizations.
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