Go Big Give day of giving draws closer

Residents of Hamilton, Hall, Howard and Merrick counties are once again being invited to support area nonprofit organizations during this year’s Go Big Give campaign.

The four-county fundraiser began June 22, with a newly extended period of pre-give, culminating with a day of giving July 7.

Throughout the area 137 nonprofits have signed up for the event with 18 of them from Hamilton County. They include: 12th Street Cinema, Aurora Adopt-A-Pet, Aurora Public Schools Foundation, Aurora Show Choir Boosters, Bremer Community Center, Edgerton Explorit Center, Hamilton Community Foundation, Hamilton County 4-H, Hamilton County Food Pantry, Hampton Housing Solutions, The Leadership Center, Memorial Foundation, Phillips Community Foundation, Plainsman Museum-Hamilton County Historical Society, Prairie Plains Resource Institute, Sozo Family Services, TeamMates of Aurora and Timberlake Ranch Camp.

Karen Rathke, president of the Heartland United Way reported at many groups have had to postpone vital fundraising events and programs that help bring in revenue. As communities open back up, she hopes people can help provide nonprofits with the resources to improve the quality of life in the four counties.

To provide incentive to donate during pre-give or on the actual day organizations can win prizes for most unique donors, most gifts and highest per capita gift. Groups can also win $250 during the half hour random drawing and have $100 matched per donor during the match minute.

Tammy Morris, executive director of the Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) explained that the funds raised during Go Big Give get put towards whatever are the greatest needs in the community. She anticipates that this year’s funds will go towards COVID-19 relief.

“I think we are very fortunate that we have 18 local nonprofit organizations participating this year,” she said. “Last year we had over $130,000 that came into Hamilton County and since Go Big Give has started we’ve had almost $450,000 come into Hamilton County, which provides a tremendous amount of support for all of those participating organizations.

“I think those nonprofits and the way they serve our community really make Hamilton County a better place to live, a better place to work and even a better place to raise a family,” she continued.

Looking back at the previous year’s fundraising, Morris found that the biggest impact has been on their ability to respond to needs in the community that can’t be anticipated.

“Last year our county was impacted by the flooding and this year we got impacted by the COVID-19 virus,” she said. “I think that the ability for us to use these funds each year for wherever the greatest needs are has been one of the biggest benefits for us.”

The foundation has also been working to help support their fellow nonprofits. Morris reported that she had gone to Grand Island to pick up posters and yard signs to put up around town.

“We also created a list of people in the county that had marquees,” she explained. “We reached out to them and asked them to help promote Go Big Give on those marquees. We’re trying to create as much visibility as we can, not just for our benefit but to provide awareness for all of the organizations that are participating.”

When looking at the groups that are fundraising, Morris noted that they are not competitive with one another. Instead, she has found that they are collaborative in their efforts.

“This year we are trying to help because we know so many organizations like the food pantry or the backpack program have been in high demand during the COVID-19 virus,” she said. “I figure if we can help do some of the coordination it allows those organizations to really focus their efforts on providing services that they need to get out into the community.”

Those interested in supporting any of the nonprofits can go to gobiggive.org to donate now during pre-give or on July 7 during the 24 hours of giving.

‘I think those nonprofits and the way they serve our community really make Hamilton County a better place to live, a better place to work and even a better place to raise a family.’

Tammy Morris