East Texas Giving Day to be held April 30

Save the date. East Texas Giving Day (ETGD), an 18-hour online event that provides critical funding for area non-profits, is set for Tuesday, April 30.

East Texas Communities Foundation partners with area non-profits annually and provides citizens across a 32-county service area an easy platform to support the mission of local non-profits that serve the communities.

Among the many non-profits listed on the platform to which one can give are:

89.5 KVNE/91.3 KGLY radio (Tyler)

A Circle of Ten, Inc. (Jacksonville),

American Freedom Museum (Bullard),

East Texas CASA,

East Texas Food Bank,

Habitat for Humanity-Smith County,

HOPE-Helping Others Pursue Enrichment (Jacksonville),

The Hospice of East Texas,

Meals on Wheels,

PATH-People Attempting to Help (Tyler),

Salvation Army,

Susan G Komen Greater and Central East Texas,

Numerous animal shelters and rescue organizations, several private schools, education foundations, as well as other organizations.

For a complete list of participating non-profits, visit www.easttexasgivingday.org.

In 2018, 158 area non-profits participated, receiving a combined total over $750,000.

“East Texas Food Bank relies on the community to help those who need help,” said Donna Spann, East Texas Food Bank Chief Development Officer. “The East Texas Giving Day campaign has been good in getting word out about the need. One in five adults and one in four children are in need... Every dollar given through East Texas Giving Day really helps. What a lot of people don’t know is every dollar given helps provide up to eight meals.”

Spann also mentioned that assistance would be provided to Alto following the tornadoes that touched down Saturday, April 13, as Alto was in their service area.

This year is the second year for HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Enrichment), located in Jacksonville, to participate in East Texas Giving Day.

“East Texas Giving Day helps all our programs,” said Ellann Johnson, executive director. Some of the programs of HOPE include a backpack program for children who wouldn’t receive meals on the weekends, the food pantry, the medication program which provides emergency antibiotics and the transportation program.

Johnson stated funds from ETGD will allow HOPE to “do more for Cherokee county and for Alto, particularly at this time.”

This year’s East Texas Giving Day begins at 6 a.m. April 30, and ends at midnight.

Credit card, debit card and e-check donations will be accepted by using MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express online at www.EastTexasGivingDay.org.

Gifts made by check or cash will be accepted by contacting East Texas Communities Foundation at (903) 533-0208 or toll free (866) 533-3823. Donors can also contact charities directly for assistance with gifts made by cash or check.

To participate, donations must be made in a minimum amount of $10. All donations are tax-deductible and donors will receive an immediate tax receipt via email at the conclusion of the donation process. For those who wish to make anonymous donations, simply check the anonymous button and the non-profit will not receive contact information.

For those wanting to donate prior to April 30, simply log onto www.easttexasgivingday.org to schedule a giving day gift by completing the donation form and selecting the organization of choice. Transactions will not be processed until April 30.

If a mistake is made in regard to a donation, contact ETCF by email etcf@etcf.org listing the name, gift amount and details of the gift, or call (903) 533-0208, or toll free (866) 533-3823.

For more information about East Texas Communities Foundation, visit www.etcf.org or call (903) 533-0208 or toll free (866) 533-3823.