Charity is not a competition.  Unless of course it's Giving Hearts Day.

Giving Hearts Day happens once a year and it means that for that one day, your charitable donations will matched dollar for dollar by the partners of this amazing organization.  This from their website...

Founded in 2008, Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour event for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Each year, Giving Hearts Day provides a platform for charities to fund their missions through an ever-increasing community of donors, many of whom get to experience the joy of giving for the first time. The longest-running giving day in the country, Giving Hearts Day has helped participating charities raise more than $90 million since its founding.

Raising more than $90 million in their first 13 years of operation.  It's just remarkable. On the Giving Hearts Day website you'll find hundreds of charitable organizations doing great work all across North Dakota.  These are groups that add light to the dark, and hope and relief to those that are much in need. You, or certainly someone you know, have been directly affected by these groups. It's an amazing list- Abused Adult Resource Center, American Red Cross, Brave the Shave, Bridging the Dental Gap, Cystic Fibrosis Association of North Dakota...it goes on and on.  Such a huge list of charities that unfortunately have doubled their fundraising efforts in this last pandemic year only to see their returns drastically diminished.

They doubled their efforts, now during Giving Hearts Day, it's your donation that will be doubled.

I'll make my case for two of my favorites but leave you to embrace your favorites from the list.

Furry Friends Rockin' Rescue.  This month, Brenda and I just welcomed our new dog Daisy into our home. Daisy was being fostered through Furry Friends, and she is absolutely wonderful. Unless you ask Brody, he's the senior canine of our household and could use a little less puppy enthusiasm in his space. FFRR assisted over 1,300 animals in 2020.  A number so big, it makes me happy and sad at the same time.  If you can't make a financial donation perhaps you could foster a dog or cat?  More info about that here.  Peek at Furry Friends on Facebook here.

The Central Dakota Humane Society.  My family has adopted both cats and dogs from CDHS and my daughter got her first job there when she was just 14.  I had to go to the Capital to get an exemption for her age.  They asked me if the animals might bite. The government sure does ask the darndest questions! Like so many rescue/shelter operations, CDHS reaches even outside our communities to assist with animals nationwide.  Working together is the only way to even attempt to combat our exploding pet populations. Amazing work by caring and compassionate people.  Can't make a financial donation?  Perhaps you could go to the shelter and walk a dog or cuddle with a cat? More info about that here. Peek at the Central Dakota Humane Society Facebook here.

Giving Hearts Day, complete with matching donations, is one day only- Thursday February 11th so don't miss out!


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