Melissa DeLaet (left) is executive director of the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation. Karen Rathke (right) is president of Heartland United Way. The two organizations coordinate Go Big Give, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – The 12th annual Go Big Give will be from April 21 to May 1.
Last year, $1,517,000 was raised. The website for Go Big Give is gobiggive.org.
This year, there are 167 participating organizations, said Melissa DeLaet, Executive Director of the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, and Karen Rathke, President of Heartland United Way. Money raised is for organizations in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick counties.
“We think it’s a great opportunity to do a no-risk fund-raiser,” Rathke said. Things such as promotional materials and advertising are already provided for the event. The Go Big Give platform is already set up online.
DeLaet said that Go Big Give gives lesser known organizations the opportunity to do fund-raising.
Rathke said that Go Big Give also allows volunteers to connect with organizations through the website.
The kickoff for the event will be at 4:30 p.m. April 24 at Double V restaurant, 520 W. Third St., in Grand Island.
Rathke said that a lot of dine-out events are planned. Restaurants donate a portion of sales to Go Big Give, and money raised is split among all organizations. Also, if a donor does not want to donate to a particular organization, there is an option to have the money divided among all of the organizations.
“All of these events are precursors to generate some excitement,” Rathke said.
Go Big Give wants to thank its sponsors. They help gifts grow, she said.
These are the major sponsors for Go Big Give. Admiral’s Circle Sponsors for Go Big Give are Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, Heartland United Way, and Hornady Manufacturing. Captain’s Deck Sponsors are the Eihusen Foundation, Lutz and Bud and Gloria Wolbach Foundation. First Mate Sponsors are Five Points Bank, Hamilton Community Foundation, Merrick Foundation, and Woodsonia Real Estate. Navigator Sponsors are Allo Fiber, AMGL, Roe Automotive, and Schuster Anderson Wealth Advisors.
Donors are highly encouraged to give online to the event. Cash donations are accepted and require completion of a donation sheet. Donations must be submitted at the Heartland United Way office, 1441 N. Webb Road, starting April 21 and prior to 8 p.m. May 1.
Anyone with questions about Go Big Give may contact the Heartland United Way office at 382-2675 or the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation office at 381-7767.
