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Goal of $500,000 Set for Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley ‘Amazing Raise’

Kicking off the Amazing Raise Ohio Valley fund drive are, from left, Mike Barickman of Hazlett, Burt & Watson; Susie Nelson, executive director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley; and Heidi Kossuth of Security National Trust Co. Photo by Linda Comins

WHEELING — Organizers of the Amazing Raise Ohio Valley hope to raise a record-breaking amount of $500,000, which would exceed the 2017 collection by 17.5 percent.

The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley is holding the fifth annual all-day event today with 105 Ohio Valley nonprofit organizations seeking donations. The participating agencies represent a variety of interests.

“Our goal this year is to raise $500,000 and we are hopeful the Ohio Valley will help us reach it,” said Susie Nelson, executive director of the foundation. “We’ve never reached $500,000, but if we do, that will be exciting.”

Last year, the event raised approximately $426,000 through 2,045 individual gifts, Nelson said. Since the event’s start in 2014, the Amazing Raise has generated more than $1.5 million in donations to area organizations, she said.

The community-wide, 24-hour online giving event began at midnight and ends at 11:59 p.m.

During the 24-hour period, every donation made on the event website, www.giveov.org, will be enhanced with bonus dollars and cash prizes sponsored by the foundation’s funding partners. They include presenting sponsors Hazlett, Burt & Watson and Security National Trust Co.

Mike Barickman, executive vice president at Hazlett, Burt & Watson, said the firms are proud to be presenting sponsors.

“The Amazing Raise grows bigger and bigger every year,” said Barickman. “We’re excited to be involved at this level.”

Citing the rationale for continuing the event, Nelson said,”We had such a positive response from both donors and the nonprofits over the past four years, we decided to do it again. The Ohio Valley is rich with dynamic nonprofit organizations and dedicated supporters and we are proud to host this opportunity.

“Online giving continues to grow and events like the Amazing Raise Ohio Valley gives all nonprofits, regardless of their size, budget or staffing, the opportunity to take part in something so large,” she said.

To give during the Amazing Raise Ohio Valley, donors can visit www.giveov.org, search for their favorite organizations and complete a donation form. The minimum gift is $10. Credit cards are accepted. A live leaderboard at the website allows the public to keep track of the progress.

Doations also can made by check, but checks must be taken to the Community Foundation’s office at 1310 Market St. by 6 p.m. today, Nelson said. Checks are to be made payable to CFOV, dated May 1, with the participating organization listed in the memo line.

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