Trees help to tout nonprofits’ mission
January 14, 2024
Nearly $24,000 has been awarded to fifteen area nonprofits as part of the annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser sponsored by the Watertown Area Community Foundation. The event, hosted at the Watertown Regional Library, raises awareness for local nonprofits and promotes unrestricted gifts to them during the holiday season.
Community members supported the effort during the month of December by casting $1 votes for their favorite trees/organizations. The Foundation matched donations up to $300 for each of the participating non-profits and also awarded a $500 unrestricted grant to the top vote-getter.
The Mellette House earned top honors with a grand total of $7,790, which included the $300 match and $500 grant. Watertown Area PACH (People Against Child Hunger) captured second place.
Other participants included: Beacon Center, Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, Boy Scout Troop 209, Brothers & Sisters Behind Bars, Codington County Historical Society, Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, East-Central CASA, Joy Ranch of South Dakota, Lake Area Zoological Society, My Happy Place, Northern Prairie Arts, Watertown Cares, and Watertown Regional Library.
“Each year, we see more and more support for the Foundation’s Christmas Tree Fundraiser,” said Cammie Mengwasser, WACF Executive Director. “Not only do participating organizations receive much welcomed unrestricted gifts during the holiday season, but our community continues to engage with and learn even more about our outstanding nonprofit organizations.”
We wish to thank our participating non-profit organizations, the library, and our generous supporters for a successful 2023 Christmas Tree fundraiser.
Tree Fundraiser Recognition >>> Representatives from the participating Christmas Tree Fundraiser nonprofit organizations gathered at the Library to receive their funds donated by community members and matching Foundation grants. Photo credit: Roger Whittle
Front row: Shawna Marshall, Beacon Center; Miranda Brietag, Joy Ranch; Kelly Jaderborg, Boys and Girls Club of Watertown; Maria Gruener, Watertown Regional Library; Jaime Stricker, Lake Area Zoological Society. Back row: Kristen Henderson, WACF Communications Director; Lexy Thorson, Joy Ranch; Laura Heathcote, My Happy Place; Gisele Stout, Boy Scout Troop 209; Maureen and Jeff Anderson, Mellette House; Ralph Wamsher, Northern Prairie Arts; Christy Lickei, Codington County Historical Society; Becky Schaible, PACH; Stacy Hendricks, Brothers and Sisters Behind Bars; Cammie Mengwasser, WACF Executive Director.