Twelve Days of Giving, a local fundraising effort in existence for just a few years, brought record generosity to six local nonprofit agencies last month.
In just two weeks, the campaign netted more than $130,000 shared by CASA, Chamberlain’s Children’s Center, Community Food Bank, Emmaus House, The Homeless Coalition and Salvation Army. All the funds will stay in San Benito County, helping provide essential community services.
Twelve Days of Giving is an idea born of generosity and community spirit. Several years ago, Bob Tiffany of Tiffany Motor Co. was contacted about using his Hollister dealership for a live remote broadcast promoting a holiday season fundraiser for a national nonprofit organization. When he learned of the cost to his dealership for agreeing to play host, Tiffany hatched another idea with the goal of ensuring that all funds stayed within the community.
Working with the Community Foundation for San Benito County and United Way of San Benito County, Tiffany approached people in his network for help, and Twelve Days of Giving became a reality. The idea is simple: businesses and organizations in San Benito County are approached for sponsorship grants at a suggested amount of $2,500. Community Foundation and United Way provide additional funding. Then, during a two-week period leading up to Thanksgiving weekend, six local nonprofit organizations are invited to solicit contributions that will be matched with the pool of funds garnered from the 12 Days campaign.
The effort began on a positive note with a gala hosted by United Way that produced $20,000 for the matching fund, a record amount. Community Foundation’s contribution was $15,000 and together, sponsorship grants added $22,500 to the matching fund.
“It’s both amazing and humbling to see how this community takes care of its own,” said Maria Lynn Thomas, Community Food Bank’s chief executive officer. “It’s not just the Food Bank, but all the participating organizations that reach out to people facing challenges who benefit from this outpouring”
Representatives from every organization in the campaign were quick to agree.
“The 12 Days donations provide so much for the Chamberlain’s children which helps them heal from past traumas, discover their strengths and develop skills to achieve life-long success,” said Denise Cauthen-Wright of Chamberlain’s. She went on to say that the funds received — $24,000 – will cover outings, purchase of clothing and helmets and pads to ensure that youngsters are safe while riding on new bicycles that Santa may be bringing. A trip to see the holiday lights at Gilroy Gardens is on the calendar. “This outing helps form enduring friendships, build social skills and most importantly, create happy holiday memories that will last long past their time at Chamberlain’s,” Cauthen-Wright said.
“The 12 Days of Giving campaign has given CASA a great opportunity to provide much needed essentials and gifts to all the foster children from our community, making the holidays a little brighter during a very difficult time in their lives,” said Esther Curtice, executive director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which seeks to train and support community volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children placed in foster care, upholding the children’s rights while pursuing a safe and permanent home.
Patrice Keurschner of Emmaus House was quick to agree: “During the two week 12 Days of Giving program it is heartwarming to see the depth of giving this wonderful community outreach touches and truly makes a difference to our clients and their children. Through your generosity we are able to help the most vulnerable in need have a little brightness during the holidays.
”It’s not just the funds we receive that make such a difference,” the Food Bank’s Thomas said. “12 Days of Giving brings together all of us in a cooperative endeavor, and in a larger sense, it brings together the entire community.”
In its short history, the 12 Days of Giving effort has grown quickly. Last year’s effort brought in a total of $85,000, for example. All participating nonprofits reported giving was up this year. Vicki Fortino of United Way of San Benito County explained that the six participating organizations were selected because each fills an essential need in the community.
Businesses and organizations providing sponsorship this year were Tiffany Motor Company, Earthbound Farm, Greenwood Chevrolet, Hollister Rotary, KMG Electronic Chemicals, Recology San Benito, Teknova, True Leaf Farms, and Waste Connections, Inc.
”When we were walking in the Lights On Parade with the other 12 Days participants it really hit me: San Benito County is a very special place,” Thomas said.