A chance to give to your favorite cause

    A new concept for Chase County fundraising will be part of Saturday’s events at City Square.
    The Imperial Community Foundation Fund will kick off its first Chase County Challenge Saturday, a chance for the community to learn about and donate to a favorite cause, and double their donations at the same time.
    All Chase County Challenge donations will be matched by the ICCF up to $25,000.
    Twenty-one non-profits and organizations operating in the county will have booths at City Square which will open at 4 p.m., said Brianna Pribbeno, ICFF board secretary.
    Donations will be tracked throughout the day with hourly totals submitted by each group. Announcements of fundraising progress will be given periodically throughout the evening, she said.
    The Challenge isn’t only an opportunity for non-profits to raise funds. It’s also a chance to get the word out about their organization and recruit volunteers, she said.
    ICCF board members have quickly learned that acquiring more volunteers and members is a real need among the county’s non-profits.
    She encourages people to donate within the  24-hour period starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, but donations received until 5 p.m. Monday will be matched.
    Those not in town for the weekend can still have a donation matched if it gets to the non-profit group by 5 p.m. Monday, she said.
    Pribbeno is pleased with the response to the first Chase County Challenge.
    “It’s exciting to see. We didn’t know what to expect for this first year, and to have 21 involved feels good,” she said.
    This year’s response bodes well for continuing it on an annual basis, she said.
    Here are the 21 non-profits participating Saturday:
    Chase Co. Hospital Foundation
    Chase Co. Food Pantry
    TeamMates
    Imperial Manor/Parkview Heights
    Imperial Jaycees
    Mercy Meals of Southwest Nebraska
    Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
    Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
    Chase Co. 4-H
    Imperial Country Club
    Rainbow Promise Preschool
    City Square Renovation
    Imperial EMS
    Catholic Social Services/St. Isidore’s Gift & Thrift
    VFW #4688 Auxiliary
    CCS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
    Chase Co. Area Arts Council
    Champion Community Center
    Imperial Community Foundation Fund
    Chase County Museum
    Little Sunshine Preschool & Daycare/Zion Lutheran Church