Posted 12:14 am Sunday, January 01, 2012
Shine Your Light Surpasses Goal
By REBECCA HOEFFNER
Staff Writer
The Shine Your Light campaign this year has been bigger and better than ever, organizers say.
“We’re so excited,” Mayor Barbara Bass said. “We’ve had a stretch goal of $200,000 and have exceeded that because of the community. This is going to be such a blessing to the wonderful organizations who benefit. This is over the top and just proves what a generous community this is.”
Shine Your Light is an annual end-of-year giving campaign where East Texas residents can donate to selected nonprofits through the East Texas Communities Foundation. The campaign ended Saturday.
While it is too late for a contribution to be tax deductible in 2011, East Texans are still can contribute to the campaign.
The agencies this year focus on five key issues: feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, helping the unemployed, protecting children and protecting seniors. The nonprofits selected this year are the Children’s Advocacy Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Christian Women’s Job Corps, Christian Men’s Job Corps, as well as the East Texas Food Bank, The Salvation Army, People Attempting To Help and Meals On Wheels.
Staff Writer
The Shine Your Light campaign this year has been bigger and better than ever, organizers say.
“We’re so excited,” Mayor Barbara Bass said. “We’ve had a stretch goal of $200,000 and have exceeded that because of the community. This is going to be such a blessing to the wonderful organizations who benefit. This is over the top and just proves what a generous community this is.”
Shine Your Light is an annual end-of-year giving campaign where East Texas residents can donate to selected nonprofits through the East Texas Communities Foundation. The campaign ended Saturday.
While it is too late for a contribution to be tax deductible in 2011, East Texans are still can contribute to the campaign.
The agencies this year focus on five key issues: feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, helping the unemployed, protecting children and protecting seniors. The nonprofits selected this year are the Children’s Advocacy Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Christian Women’s Job Corps, Christian Men’s Job Corps, as well as the East Texas Food Bank, The Salvation Army, People Attempting To Help and Meals On Wheels.
There are donors who have contributed annually since the campaign began in 2008, but there have also been new donors to this year’s efforts, said Kyle Penney, president of the East Texas Communities Foundation, the organization that handles the funds for the campaign.
“It’s always amazing to see the generosity of people who maybe haven’t given in the past, but were inspired to give this year,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see our communities respond to support these great agencies.”
This year, individual donors contributed $136,363 to the $72,500 in matching funds, bringing the total to $208,863.
Last year, donors sent in more than $150,000 to the East Texas Communities Foundation to support the agencies.
Agency leaders were elated at the news that the goal had been reached.
“It’s always amazing to see the generosity of people who maybe haven’t given in the past, but were inspired to give this year,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see our communities respond to support these great agencies.”
This year, individual donors contributed $136,363 to the $72,500 in matching funds, bringing the total to $208,863.
Last year, donors sent in more than $150,000 to the East Texas Communities Foundation to support the agencies.
Agency leaders were elated at the news that the goal had been reached.
“That’s amazing,” said Christina Fulsom, executive director of PATH. “Every year it gets better. It seems that the more people know about it the more that’s given. On behalf of PATH, thank you. There are people who won’t become homeless because of these gifts.”
CASA was one of the agencies that was new to the campaign.
“It’s really exciting news,” said executive director Patty Garner. “The community continues to give; this is a great place to live and work. We’re so fortunate to be a part of this campaign.”
Sandy Adams, community development coordinator for the Christian Women’s Job Corps, another agency new to the campaign, viewed the news as a blessing from God.
CASA was one of the agencies that was new to the campaign.
“It’s really exciting news,” said executive director Patty Garner. “The community continues to give; this is a great place to live and work. We’re so fortunate to be a part of this campaign.”
Sandy Adams, community development coordinator for the Christian Women’s Job Corps, another agency new to the campaign, viewed the news as a blessing from God.
“What an amazing blessing, that’s all I can say,” she said. “Ever since I’ve been involved (with CWJC) God has provided. It’s going to enable us to reach more women with better curriculum. I’m speechless.”
Donors and recipients agree: it’s a fantastic way to start the new year.
“This community consistently answers the call when it is time to give,” said Nelson Clyde, publisher of the Tyler Morning Telegraph. “Watching this for the last four years has been the biggest blessing of my holidays. It is a real privilege to live in this wonderful community.”
“The East Texas Communities Foundation, as well as the U.S. Postal Service will be closed on Monday. We will announce this year’s total contributions in the Wednesday edition of the Tyler Morning Telegraph,” Clyde said.
This year’s $72,500 matching funds is the largest amount that has ever kicked off the campaign.
Matching partners are an anonymous donor, the Owen Foundation, Fourth Partner, Genecov Group, Mayor Barbara and Billy Bass, Tyler Morning Telegraph, Niblack Charitable Fund, Melvina and Herbert Buie, Citizen’s 1st Bank, Rosemary and Harold Beaird, Drs. SJ Vukelja and Lawrence Anderson and the Dermatology Associates of Tyler.
Donors and recipients agree: it’s a fantastic way to start the new year.
“This community consistently answers the call when it is time to give,” said Nelson Clyde, publisher of the Tyler Morning Telegraph. “Watching this for the last four years has been the biggest blessing of my holidays. It is a real privilege to live in this wonderful community.”
“The East Texas Communities Foundation, as well as the U.S. Postal Service will be closed on Monday. We will announce this year’s total contributions in the Wednesday edition of the Tyler Morning Telegraph,” Clyde said.
This year’s $72,500 matching funds is the largest amount that has ever kicked off the campaign.
Matching partners are an anonymous donor, the Owen Foundation, Fourth Partner, Genecov Group, Mayor Barbara and Billy Bass, Tyler Morning Telegraph, Niblack Charitable Fund, Melvina and Herbert Buie, Citizen’s 1st Bank, Rosemary and Harold Beaird, Drs. SJ Vukelja and Lawrence Anderson and the Dermatology Associates of Tyler.
