A $10,000 contribution from a persistent donor helped the 2016 Shine Your Light Community Campaign reach its matching goal. However, one more day remains to give to this year’s fundraising effort, which supports 10 local nonprofit agencies.

Some $10,750 was contributed Thursday, with the majority of that coming from one individual.

Kyle Penney, president of the East Texas Communities Foundation, the organization that administers Shine Your Light, said a donor called the foundation earlier this week after receiving a receipt in the mail for his $10 contribution.

The problem was the man had intended to donate $10,000. He contacted the communities foundation to make them aware of the mistake and after several phone calls they determined a comma was throwing the number off.

When they typed $10,000 without the comma it went through correctly.

That donation, combined with $750 more from several donors Thursday, put the public contributions at $68,536, just above the matching fund goal of $68,000.

“I think it’s great,” Penney said. “It always surprises us how the money comes in, but it doesn’t surprise us how the work of these 10 charities resonates with people. It hits everyone a bit differently.”

This year’s campaign will support organizations that address needs in the areas of health care, food, housing and children.

Tyler Morning Telegraph Publisher Nelson Clyde said the company would wait to see what funds come in for the remainder of the campaign and report back with a grand total next week.

“We’re delighted for all the generosity that’s been demonstrated and look forward to seeing where we end up,” Clyde said.

TWITTER: @TMTEmily

 

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

DONATIONS SO FAR

$68,000 Partner Matching Funds

$68,536 Community Donations

$10,750 Community Donations Friday

$136,536 Total

 

SUPPORTED AGENCIES

Profile stories about this year’s Shine Your Light recipients ran in the Tyler Morning Telegraph through Dec. 24 and are online.

Thursday, Dec. 15: People Attempting To Help (PATH)

Friday, Dec. 16: Meals on Wheels Ministry

Saturday, Dec. 17: Samaritan Counseling Center of Tyler

Sunday, Dec. 18: The Mentoring Alliance’s Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas

Monday, Dec. 19: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Tuesday, Dec. 20: East Texas Food Bank

Wednesday, Dec. 21: The Salvation Army

Thursday, Dec. 22: Bethesda Health Clinic

Friday, Dec. 23: Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County

Saturday, Dec. 24: Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County