Mitchell Area Community Foundation approaching goal

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The Mitchell Area Charitable Foundation is within $50,000 of reaching its goal to match a challenge grant.

“This is really an exceptional opportunity for Mitchell,” said Jay Tolsma, past board president. “We have a commitment from the South Dakota Community Foundation to give us $50,000 if we can raise $200,000. And we are very close to our goal.”

MACF gives approximately $34,000 each year to area organizations. Once this campaign goal is met, MACF hopes to be able to increase these grants to approximately $50,000. In the last 10 years, more than 40 organizations or groups, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Historical Society, have benefited from MACF funds.

To reach that goal, the foundation along with the Mitchell High School show choir is sponsoring “Rise to the Occasion … The Best to Last” reverse raffle. Tickets are being sold by show choir members or are available at the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce office. Final drawing for the $5,000 grand prize will be Oct. 9. Proceeds will go to the MACF campaign as well as to purchase new risers for the show choir.

“Historically the Community support has been amazing,” said Doug Eidahl, MACF president. “Individuals and businesses have shown great support and continue to do so.”

Eidahl cited donations from Ron and Sheilah Gates and Mike Vehle, which have made the $5,000 grand prize possible. Additional prizes too numerous to list have also been donated by local businesses and individuals.

The Mitchell Area Charitable Foundation was formed in 1985 to create a convenient and reliable means for individuals or companies to make lasting contributions to areas of need in Mitchell and the surrounding area. By 2000, the MACF invested $184,000 in endowed funds and was the recipient of all income from the Mildred Saterlie Fund, which totaled $436,000. MACF later assisted the establishment of the Mitchell Scholarship Fund for students graduating from Mitchell’s schools.

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