Record High Combined Appeal Goal Set at $208,900
Record High Combined
Appeal Goal Set at $208,900
The fundraising goal for the 2023-24 Grant County Combined Appeal (GCCA) is $208,900. The goal is a marked increase from the 2022-23 goal of $190,400. “This is a record amount for GCCA to raise,” said Craig Wellnitz, campaign chairman.
The GCCA, started by Vi Berkner, is in its 62nd year of providing local assistance to people in Grant County. This year, it supports 21 health and human service agencies, education initiatives and youth development programs.
Health and human service agencies receiving GCCA funding are Grant County ARC, Grant County Diabetes and Heart Fund, ICAP 60s Plus Dining Program, NEGL American Red Cross, Milbank Community Transit, Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP), Unity Health and Fitness Charitable Membership, Building Our Families, the Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 19, the Abbey of the Hills Inn and Retreat Center.
Education programs receiving support are Imagination Library, Big Stone City Out of School Time (OST), Grant County Child Protection.
Youth development programs benefited by GCCA are Milbank Boy Scout Troop 45, Milbank Area Lions Swim Team (MALST), Milbank Ball Diamond Association, Unity Health and Fitness Recreation Programs, Milbank Area Community Tennis Association (MACTA), Milbank High School Clay Target Team and Milbank Area Girl Scouts.
The GCCA’s first year was 1961. In 1964, $7,551 was raised and distributed to five agencies. Last year, community donations surpassed the $190,400 goal, totalling $198,802 and going to 17 agencies.
Wellnitz notes that funding requests went up from 2022-23 because of increased costs for medication, supplies and general operations. COVID funds also benefited some agencies in the past but did not this year, leading to an increase in numbers, along with two new agencies being accepted into the GCCA umbrella, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 19 and the Abbey of the Hills Inn and Retreat Center.
The pacesetter organizations will begin their campaigns on Monday, October 2. Pacesetters are Big Stone Therapies, Big Stone City School District, Dakota Granite, First Bank and Trust, First Interstate Bank, Milbank Medical Center and Milbank Area Hospital Avera, Milbank School District, POET, Otter Tail Power Company, United Hardware and Valley Queen Cheese.
Every pacesetter organization has designated a minimum GCCA donation of $1,000. Additionally, a representative from each organization attends GCCA meetings. Leaders from businesses interested in becoming pacesetters should contact Wellnitz at milbankcf@itcmilbank.com or 605-432-9000.
The annual small business blitz is set for Wednesday, October 4. Organizers and youth from programs receiving funds will canvass area businesses to secure pledges to further ignite the campaign.
Donations to GCCA may be designated to health and human service agencies, education, youth development or the area of greatest need.
Look elsewhere in this issue for an ad with a donation form. Contributions can be sent to GCCA at the Milbank Community Foundation, 103 Flynn Drive, PO Box 366, Milbank, SD 57252. A donation can also be made at any local bank.
– Emelia Enquist
