The 13th annual Give Where You Live, hosted by the Kearney Area Community Foundation, was cooking up a “Recipe for Success” during the 24-hour giving day on Thursday, Dec. 4, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The 13th annual Give Where You Live, hosted by the Kearney Area Community Foundation, was cooking up a “Recipe for Success” during the 24-hour giving day on Thursday, Dec. 4.
This year, the community-wide event Give Where You Live will benefit 207 charitable organizations and causes in the Kearney area that improve the quality of life for local residents, said Judi Sickler, President/CEO at the Kearney Area Community Foundation (KACF).
Sickler said this was the highest number of organizations that had been a part of the event, it was even more notable given the fact that some causes meet their goal and don’t need to participate again.
This year there were 15 brand new organizations and causes that were a part of the event, according to Ashley Weets, KACF Program Manager.
“Give Where You Live is a community effort powered by the Kearney Area Community Foundation that encourages area nonprofits to build their capacity, find new donors, and identify new funding streams. KACF’s goal is to raise more than $1 million in one day by encouraging local residents to support their favorite charities,” according to the KACF.
Planning for the year end event starts in the summer, said Sickler, the staff works to find new ways to keep the event fresh and exciting. She noted that there is an internal goal of raising $2 million. Last year came close with $1,944,214 being raised, a record number.
“We’re so pleased to see how Give Where You Live continues to make such a positive impact on Kearney and the surrounding area,” said Sickler, “This giving day brings people together to support the nonprofits that make our community stronger, more vibrant and full of opportunity.”
Sickler said the Kearney community has truly come together to embrace Give Where You Live.
“The Kearney Area Community Foundation is proud to help lead this effort each year,” Sickler said. “Our mission is to connect people who care with causes that matter, and Give Where You Live is one of the most powerful ways we have helped local generosity grow and create lasting change.”
The theme for the 13th annual event was “Recipe for Success.” Sickler said the staff came together to brainstorm ideas and this was the one that rose to the surface. She noted that the theme of baking, the sharing of food and coming together held a lot of resonance for the giving day.
“It’s our 13th year of Give Where You Live, and we truly feel the event has been a recipe for success in our community,” said Weets, “Our nonprofits and other volunteer-led projects are the ingredients that make Buffalo County great. They cook up so much that enriches our lives, and Give Where You Live is here to support those efforts.”
Sickler said the donations are not the only things that come from Give Where You Live but also a raised awareness of all the different organizations and causes in the Kearney area.
Sickler said being able to search out different causes online and read about their work helps to highlight to residents all the work that is going on in the community and surrounding area.
Speaking to the 13 years the event has been going on, Sickler said the event has changed how people give, saving up for the day, while may organizations budget with the donations that they will receive from Give Where You Live in mind.
Since its inception in 2013, Give Where You Live has raised more than $13.5 million for area nonprofits.
Sickler said the KACF is proud to be the “connector” by hosting the event and helping donors find their favorite causes that they donate to and discovering new ones.
It’s no accident that the event is held in early December, Sickler said the timing near the end of the year, amid the Christmas holiday season works so well for the Kearney community.
One of the volunteers at the event was Izzy Martinez, a Kearney senior. Martinez said she was taking a class that included requirement to volunteer her time, she said she had learned about Give Where You Live and felt like it would be a good way to help.
Martinez said she would be volunteering from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and later in the day from 5 p.m. to midnight, when the total was announced.
Speaking to the event itself, Martinez said it was well organized and was a good experience as she got to meet with donors who were coming in person to the office. She noted how generous people are and to see the organizations they were helping.
When asked what organizations she would like to see benefited, Martinez said the Kearney Area Animal Shelter and the area youth ministries.
About the Kearney Area Community Foundation
“We are the Kearney Area Community Foundation. We are your community’s foundation. Our business is to “connect people who care with causes that matter.” We work hard every day to maintain a philanthropic culture to assure that donors and the community are served in an atmosphere of trust and professionalism which will, in turn, allow your Kearney Area Community Foundation to make a meaningful and positive impact on the residents of our community, now and in the future,” per the KACF.
“Since our inception in 1995, the Kearney Area Community Foundation has granted more than $85 million to local organizations (through scholarships, grants, and program support) serving a wide variety of community needs. Our mission is to “enhance the quality of life in the Kearney area by promoting the spirit of charitable giving and effectively responding to the community’s needs.” The Kearney Area Community Foundation does not profit from Give Where You Live. This is our gift to the community,” per the KACF.
