CRAWFORD COUNTY - ‘Giving Tuesday’ is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.
Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season.
One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community. What follows is a partial listing of local giving options:
Public Libraries
Gays Mills Public Library, Friends of the Library – send checks to Gays Mills Public Library, 16381 State Highway 131, Gays Mills, WI 54631. In the check memo, write ‘Friends of the Library.’
Soldiers Grove Public Library, Friends of the Library – send checks to Soldiers Grove Public Library, Soldiers Grove, WI 5465 In the check memo, write ‘Friends of the Library.’
Lions Camp
It's deer hunting season! If you are a deer hunter and want to put your deer hides to good use, the Soldiers Grove Lions Club is sponsoring a Deer Hide Collection at Royal Bank, Gays Mills, McCormick's Bar & Grill, Rolling Ground, Bill McCormick's residence in Rolling Ground, and TazZee's Wonder Bar, Soldiers Grove.
All proceeds from the deer hides will be used for the Wisconsin Lions Camp to help serve the needs of others. The Wisconsin Lions Camp began in 1956 and has been dedicated to providing a quality camping experience for people with disabilities.
Fire and Rescue
Ocooch Mountain Rescue, Gays Mills. Send checks to 111 North Royal Avenue, Gays Mills, WI, 54631. Put ‘Donation’ in the memo line.
Seneca Fire and First Responders: P.O. Box 211, Seneca, WI 54654. Put ‘Donation’ in the memo line.
Gays Mills Volunteer Fire Department, 16381 State Highway 131, Gays Mills, WI 54631. Put ‘Donation’ in the memo line.
Soldiers Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 100 Passive Sun Drive, Soldiers Grove, WI 54655. Put ‘Donation’ in the memo line.
School Districts
North Crawford School District: 47050 County Road X, Soldiers Grove, WI 54655
North Crawford Community Education Foundation: the North Crawford Community Education Foundation provides private resources to enhance educational project and programs of the North Crawford School District and provides scholarship awards to North Crawford graduating high school seniors who pursue post-secondary education.
Food Packs for Kids: a backpack with non-perishable food is dropped off at the school each Friday for kids and their families, who are going through a rough time, who will benefit from a little extra food over the weekend. Donations maybe sent to the school with ‘Food Packs for Kids’ in the memo line.
North Crawford Trapshooting Team: donations can be sent to Outback Shotgun and Sports, Dave Benzing, 52031 Zintz Road, Seneca, WI 54654. In the check memo, write ‘Youth Shooting Fund.’
Other possibilities would be the 4-H Club or the Booster Club.
Seneca School District: P.O. Box 34, Seneca, WI 54654
Food Packs for Kids: a program through the Gays Mills Food Pantry and local donors. A backpack with non-perishable food is dropped off each Friday for kids and their families, who are going through a rough time, who will benefit from a little extra food over the weekend. Any families interested may call me for an application 608-734-3411 x150. Donations maybe sent to the Gays Mills Food Pantry.
Seneca Education Foundation: the school district, teachers, and students receive tremendous support from the Seneca Education Foundation. From Chromebooks to supplies.
Other possibilities would be the 4-H Club or the Booster Club.
Conservation
Gays Mills Sportman’s Cub: 57224 S. Buck Creek Road, Ferryville, WI 54628. Put ‘Donation’ in the memo line.
Tainter Creek Watershed Council, c/o Vernon Land Water Conservation Department, 220 Airport Road, Viroqua WI 54665. The council has applied for a $40,000 DATCP Farmer-Led Watershed Protection Grant, and is required to provide matching funds in cash and in-kind donations.
Crawford Stewardship Project: CSPs mission is to protect the environment of Crawford County and neighboring regions from threats of polluting and extractive industries, to promote sustainable land use, environmental justice, and local control of natural resources. Your support for will be doubled, thanks to a generous anonymous donor. Every tax-deductible dollar you donate will be matched to double your impact.
Valley Stewardship Network: VSN works to protect the land and waters of the Kickapoo Valley and neighboring watersheds through water quality research, public engagement, education outreach, and networking that involves community in stewardship for the social and economic benefits of sustainable agriculture, land use, and recreation. Donations can be sent to 110 S. Main Street, Viroqua, WI 54665.
Wisconsin Council of Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited works to keep our country's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds safe from environmental threats for this and future generations of anglers to enjoy. Donations can be sent to 507 South Main Street Viroqua, WI 54665.
Economic Development
Crawford County Community Foundation: the Crawford County Community Fund was established in 2008 as a permanent endowment for the benefit of the county. The fund’s mission is to support economic development in the county. Once per year, a portion of the fund’s earnings are returned to area communities in the form of grants for projects consistent with the fund’s mission. Donations to the Crawford County Community Fund are tax deductible, and can be mailed to P.O. Box 13, Seneca, WI 54654.
Community Wellness
InHealth Community Wellness Clinic: the Mission of InHealth Community Wellness Clinic is to strengthen community health and well being by providing free basic health services for the uninsured through the help of volunteers, local health services and community support. We promote education supporting personal health and wellbeing and work to assist the ongoing needs of our patients. Donations can be sent to 109 East Bluff Street, Box 35, Boscobel, Wisconsin, 53805.
Passages Shelter: a private, non-profit organization with the mission of supporting those individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Passages has a 20-bed shelter for individuals needing emergency safety housing. Passages also operates a 16-unit housing complex for families coming through the shelter or for families with low income. Passages offers options counseling in the areas of medical and legal advocacy, sexual assault services and youth services. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 546, Richland Center, WI 53581. In addition to cash donations, Passages is also always in need of clean clothing for women and children, and women’s personal care and sanitary supplies.
Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter: a passionate advocate that will provide quality care for companion animals in need as we seek their forever homes and educate the community about responsible pet ownership. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 421 Prairie du Chien, WI 53821. Your donation is tax deductible.
