The Watertown Community Foundation’s 2^nd annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser brought in gifts totaling $5,476.55. Those dollars came in as many varying amounts as the people who gave them. All ages participated, some gifts were from families, others from individuals – all were given to an organization the donor cared about.

The dollars received by the 12 nonprofits participating are unrestricted and Jan DeBerg, Foundation Executive Director, says that fact in itself is a bigger “gift” than most people realize. “Unrestricted dollars, especially in this tough economy, are invaluable to nonprofits,” she explained. “The nonprofits can meet their greatest needs at the current time and for some that may be administrative costs to help sustain that organization.”

Matching dollars from the Foundation, including the extra $500 to the organization with the largest total, came to $3,050.05. That made the event’s grand total for the nonprofits $8,527.05.

 

The breakdown of individual grand totals (including the match) is as follows: Big Brothers Big Sisters, $690; Codington County 4H, $192; Girl Scouts, $268; Glacial Lakes Humane Society, $800; Lake Area Zoological Society, $1,003.50; Mellette House, $2,247.50; Volunteers of America – Dakotas, $476; Watertown Boys & Girls Club, $359; Watertown Regional Library Fund, $848.10; Watertown Resource Center, $306; Watertown Senior Citizens Center, $640.95; and Watertown Volunteer Center, $696.

 

Some of those dollars are helping nonprofits with immediate needs. Some dollars are helping projects at organizations become a reality. Among them are: An outdoor cement pad for the dogs at the Humane Society and a sound system at theSeniorCenter. Gifts to the Lake Area Zoological Society will go toward Roots & Shoots programming.

 

As for the Mellette House, which was the largest benefactor, its director Prudy Calvin puts it best. “When a house is over 125 years old and has several thousand visitors each year, it is not difficult to find a place to spend money,” she said. “The problem is finding enough money to cover the needs. We started doing some major landscaping last year and hope to continue with that project. We also need to do things that visitors don’t as readily see such as pay our utility bills. This will be a great help.”

 

Calvin and the other nonprofit directors thank the Foundation and the community for their support. “Everyone who participates in this event is a winner,” Calvin said. “We are delighted that the Mellette House did so well. We’re grateful that the Watertown Community Foundation again sponsored the Christmas Tree Fundraiser at the library and appreciate that so many people came and donated.”