It was a little over a month ago that donations were made on-line for a 24 hour period to benefit non-profit organizations in Gage County. Tuesday night, the 57 non-profit organizations that participated in the second annual Big Give Gage event received their checks during a drive-thru celebration at the Beatrice School Administration parking lot.

Chairman of the Gage County Foundation Don Vetrovsky announced Tuesday night that the one day of giving totaled over 2-hundred-50 thousand dollars…

“Last year we had a total of 172,00. This year people, you blew me out of the saddle as we raised over a quarter of a million dollars….$253,000!”

The one day event featured donations from 61 cities and towns in Nebraska, and from 26 states.

“Gage County is one of the best…if not the best. And I am proud to be a part of it and we all should be proud to be a part of it cause we can do good things with this money and good things will happen.”

Director of the Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation Gina Heckey says even a month later she is still surprised at the amount of money that was raised during the 24 hour period….

“Surprised still…excitement still. Just knowing that each one of these non-profits has had to cancel events and alter what they do for fund raising and how much this has helped each one of us is phenomenal.”

Representatives of the 57 non-profit organizations drove under an arch made of colorful balloons as they collected their money and celebrated the second annual Big Give Gage event.

Beatrice Mayor Stan Wirth says non-profits play an important role in the community…

“They provide goods, services and resources to meet community needs. They are businesses, most often charitable that assist other businesses in the community to drive economic development, the arts, cultural awareness, education, health and spirituality…..virtually every sector of society. Gage County’s second annual Big Give was a big deal. 57 non-profits…. a quarter of a million dollars…..that’s a big deal.”

Heckey says the participation in the Big Give shows the support of the community and support for the one day event. She says plans are underway for next year’s third annual Big Give Gage.