Give to the Max 2023!

November 7, 2023

Catholic Charities to participate in 15th Annual Give to the Max Day on November 16!

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is proud to participate in the 15th annual Give to the Max Day on Thursday, Nov. 16. Give to the Max is a statewide, grassroots giving event that raises tens of millions of dollars each year for more than 6,000 causes across Minnesota and beyond. Considered Minnesota’s holiday for generosity, donors have given more than $290 million to more than 10,000 organizations since the inaugural Give to the Max Day in 2009.

 

Catholic Charities is one of the largest social service nonprofit organizations in Central Minnesota, with programs that provide food, shelter, basic everyday essentials, mental and behavioral health services, supportive living services, financial counseling and more. In 2022, Catholic Charities served 44,205 people across 16 counties in Central Minnesota. Donations support more than 20 programs across these areas.

 

“We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our friends and neighbors here in the heart of Minnesota during Give to the Max,” said Chad Johnson, Director of Organizational Advancement, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud. “It’s no surprise that our state dedicates and supports 24 hours of giving to nonprofits and schools statewide because we see the generosity of our community every day.”


To participate in Give to the Max in support of Catholic Charities, visit ccstcloud.org/donate-funds or go to givemn.org/organization/Ccstcloud.


“Give to the Max is a celebration of Minnesotan generosity and the impact it has in every community across our state,” said Jake Blumberg, executive director of GiveMN. “Every year, we start at $0 and are humbled by the power hundreds of thousands of gifts can have when our community gives together during Minnesota’s giving holiday.”

 

Give to the Max’s Early Giving period began November 1 and continues through Give to the Max Day on Nov. 16, with random drawings throughout for more than $100,000 in prize grants for Minnesota organizations.

 

Additionally, each donation through GiveMN.org qualifies Catholic Charities for additional prize grants, thanks to the continued generosity of the Bush Foundation. Through this year’s campaign, GiveMN will award:

  • $500 Early Giving Golden Tickets daily on Nov. 1-15
  • $500 Golden Ticket prizes every 15 minutes on Nov. 16
  • $1,000 Hourly Golden Ticket prizes hourly on Nov. 16
  • $6,000 Power Hours, shared among the top three organizations based on amount raised between 10:00–10:59 a.m. and 10:00–10:59 p.m. on Nov. 16
  • The grand prize of Give to the Max Day, a $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket, drawn from all gifts made from Nov. 1-16

 

Together, we can make a different tomorrow for our friends and neighbors in Central Minnesota.


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On Tuesday, January 28th, a group of students from Trex North School visited Pond View Estates in Albany, organized by Sandy Baldwin, group leader, and in collaboration with Catholic Charities in St. Cloud. Julie Ueland, the student advisor, helped oversee the project to ensure everything went smoothly. Pond View Estates is a Senior Dining Congregate Kitchen, where seniors gather to enjoy meals and socialize, making it a perfect environment for these students to connect with the residents. When the students arrived, the residents were delighted by the youthful energy and enthusiasm they brought. The students quickly got to work helping the seniors create Valentine’s cards before lunch. The atmosphere was filled with creativity and laughter as everyone worked together to make colorful and thoughtful cards. Afterward, the group enjoyed lunch together, where the dining hall was full of lively conversation. The students interacted with the seniors, hearing their stories and building new connections. The visit bridged generations, fostering meaningful and joyful interactions. The highlight of the day was the bingo game that followed lunch, where excitement filled the room as the numbers were called. Friendly competition brought plenty of laughs, especially when someone was just one number away from winning, only for another participant to grab the prize first. The fun, camaraderie, and shared moments left everyone smiling. A few standout interactions included Joseph and Riley spending time with resident Victor Tschida, and Tianna sharing a special moment with resident Ken Bunger. These connections highlighted the deep impact of intergenerational friendships. For many of the residents, the visit from the students was an unexpected but cherished experience, reminding everyone of the importance of making time for one another. It was a beautiful day of fostering community, connection, and kindness. As the students prepared to leave, there was a sense of fulfillment in the air. Not only had the day brightened the seniors' lives, but it also left a lasting impression on the students, who gained a deeper understanding of the joy and fulfillment that comes from spending quality time with others. The day ended with smiles, hugs, and promises to return, a reminder of how powerful and meaningful human connection can be.

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