Donors challenge community to support needy, pledge money
By Jessica Groover .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Anonymous donors are challenging Cabarrus County to raise $25,000 for shelter, food and clothing for area residents.
If the community raises $25,000, the donors will give $50,000 to the Cabarrus Critical Need Response Fund.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the community to come together and help their neighbors,” said Vicki Jones, vice president of community philanthropy with Foundation for the Carolinas.
The Critical Need Response Fund was created in December 2008 after Altria Group donated $100,000. It is administered by Cabarrus County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Foundation for The Carolinas.
Last month, the Critical Need Response Fund awarded $66,660 in grants to four Cabarrus County nonprofit organizations, Baptist Sharing House, Cabarrus Meals on Wheels, Cooperative Christian Ministry and The Salvation Army.
Around that time, the Community Foundation received more than $167,000 in grant requests. All of the money raised from this new challenge will go to these nonprofit groups.
If the community does not raise $25,000, the donors will still match the total with a 2-1 ratio. If the goal is reached, the money raised will total $75,000.
Cooperative Christian Ministry, which received most of the money awarded last month, has been asked to help recruit fundraisers.
“We’re going to use our e-mail distribution to let the community know the challenge is out there,” said Ed Hosack, executive director of Cooperative Christian Ministry. “We have the strongest connection to the faith community.”
Cooperative Christian Ministry’s e-mail distribution reaches 300 entities, 100 of which are churches. The group said this method would be the quickest way to spread the word, and it plans to send an e-mail this week.
Hosack said this campaign is a way for people to see that every dollar they donate will be worth more.
“Encouraging the rest of the community to make a difference is a good thing,” Hosack said.
The deadline for raising the money is March 15. Anyone interested in donating may do so online at http://www.cabarruscounty-cf.org or by contacting the organization.
Photo Gallery
Get a Copy