Rachel Loersch came to the Match Madness event Tuesday in Salina to make a contribution to Women Helping Women, but while there she was tempted to assist five other local organizations.
Rachel Loersch came to the Match Madness event Tuesday in Salina to make a contribution to Women Helping Women, but while there she was tempted to assist five other local organizations.
aI really care about a bunch of them,a said the Salina woman. Santa Fe, before work early Tuesday to write a check to the endowment fund of Women Helping Women, an organization that provides grants to women in temporary need of assistance.
She was motivated to participate in Match Madness because she knew her contribution would be increased by up to 50 percent by the Greater Salina Community Foundation, which was providing up to $55,000 in matching funds throughout the day.
For the fifth year, the foundation sponsored the one-day event, where donors were given the opportunity to make a tax deductible contribution to the endowment fund of one or more of nearly 70 participating local charities.
Loersch said it made a big difference to have her donation increased by the foundation.
aI feel like Iam giving extra,a she said.
Last year, 60 charitable organizations participated in Match Madness. Tuesday on the Greater Salina Community Foundation website at gscf.org.
Aiding those in poverty
Salinan Lisa Newman made a contribution to Circles of the Heartland, a local organization that helps the poverty-stricken become more financially stable. The program was founded by Salinan Dana Kossow 13 years ago as a 26.2-mile running program for children that takes place each school day during a six-week period and has expanded to include 14 schools in Salina, Concordia, Beloit and Wichita.
aThis is an amazing opportunity to show what weare doing and how this has grown into an awesome program weare really proud of,a said Kossow, a veteran marathon runner.
Salinan Louise Comfort, who launched the School Marathon Foundation, said she continually is impressed by the generosity of the community in donating to worthy causes.
aPeople here take care of their own,a she said. Itas definitely a passionate community.a
The match is important
Rolling Hills Zoo has participated in Match Madness since the first event in 2012, and each year the organization has done very well, said Assistant Director Kathy Tolbert.
aItas important for us,a she said.
