Outpourings of generosity come not only in seasons of abundance, but often in moments of uncertainty and anxiety. East Texans came to prove that in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
East Texas Giving Day is an 18-hour day of giving that provides critical funding for our area nonprofits. The purpose of an area-wide Giving Day is to bring the region together, as one community, raising money and awareness for East Texas nonprofits. Even in the middle of COVID-19, East Texans stepped up for East Texas Giving Day hosted on Tuesday, April 28, raising a total of $2.2 million dollars in the 18-hours.
“East Texas Giving Day provides an opportunity to strengthen community through generosity – a one-stop shop for supporting the good work of organizations serving our neighbors in need. In addition to raising funds, individuals were encouraged to volunteer and share their time and talents with area charities,” said Holly McFarlin, director of public relations for the East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF).
The ETCF has organized the initiative for the last five years. Local charities benefit from the generosity of more than 5,700 donations which brought the total to $2.2 million, a 60% increase from last year. “We live in an extremely generous part of the country and Giving Day fell at a critical time of unprecedented need,” said McFarlin. “People wanted to show they cared about their neighbors in need. So they gave back – and boy did they!”
It really is remarkable that in the middle of instability, a community rallied together to support nonprofits that most likely have been struggling. One of the recipients of ETGD was local nonprofit, The Mentoring Alliance.
The Mentoring Alliance exists to mobilize godly people into the lives of kids and families, to meet tangible needs and provide eternal hope. They currently serve three school districts in East Texas through their programs: Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas (BGCET), Rose City Summer Camps and Gospel Village.
The Mentoring Alliance was one of many nonprofits affected by COVID-19. They had to close their after-school programs, resulting in losing their fee income. “The amazing gifts from East Texas Giving Day are allowing us to continue hiring our part-time summer staff as well as ensuring that children whose families are facing financial difficulties during this time can still experience the amazing fun of summer camp, while being grounded in God’s Word, loved on by amazing counselor/mentors, and addressing the academic slide at the highest levels ever,” said Julie Connor, staff catalyst for the Mentoring Alliance.
The BGCET program was serving over 1,350 students when they were shut down due to COVID-19. They quickly deployed all their staff to meet urgent needs in the community. As of last week, they have helped TISD serve over 71,096 meals, distributed over 3,252 academic packets, packed over 8,495 boxes with the East Texas Food Bank, distributed 3,698 disaster relief kits, made over 9,500 calls to our BGCET students, and found countless ways to love, listen to and look after the kids and families they serve, while also serving many more in East Texas.
What an amazing time and opportunity to see God pouring out His generosity through His people. It is such a beautiful picture of godly generosity and selflessness. If you know of a neat story of generosity during the pandemic, please share it in the comments below.