2018 #BethelGives is on!

WHAT IS #BETHELGIVES?

The aim of #BethelGives is to offer the Bethel and YK Delta community increased opportunities to support local organizations as we all prepare for winter and the holiday season – a time of great generosity and great need. #BethelGives is an extension of a national and international campaign – #GivingTuesday – which encourages people all over the world to follow the shopping mayhem of Black Friday and Cyber Monday with generosity that changes lives in their own local communities. On #GivingTuesday, people around the U.S.A. and world will share their time, talents and treasure with their neighbors in need, often through local organizations. Eleven local Bethel organizations are represented in the 2017 #BethelGives coalition – Bethel Search and Rescue, TWC, KYUK, Future Delta Nurses, Bethel Family Clinic, Bethel Council on the Arts, Yuut Elitnaurviat, YK Delta Lifesavers, Bethel Friends of Canines, Winter House Shelter and the Kuskokwim Consortium Library (Bethel Library).

This year, we will be offering thank you gifts for #BethelGives contributions at the $50 level, at the $100 level and at the $150 level. Thank you gifts will be assigned as follows:

All contributions: #BethelGives Sticker
$50 contribution: #BethelGives Reusable Grocery Tote
$100 contribution: #BethelGives Reusable Grocery Tote or #BethelGives Polar Fleece-Lined Buff
$150 contribution: #BethelGives Grocery Tote or #BethelGives Buff or #BethelGives Hoodie

Thank you gifts will be offered for donations made at the following locations: AC, Swanson’s, Saturday Markets and online at bcsfoundation.org or bethelgives.org.
*To claim your thank you gifts for contributions made at AC or Swanson’s, you will need to save your receipts, which will act as the record of your contribution.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE #BETHELGIVES CAMPAIGN?

Online: Contributions to the #BethelGives Campaign will be accepted through bethelgives.org or bcsfoundation.org.

Grocery stores: We are excited to announce that the 2018 #BethelGives Campaign will be rolling out, starting November 1, 2018, with the opportunity for community members to contribute $2, $10 or $20 to the campaign with every grocery purchase at AC or Swanson’s Grocery! This opportunity will be available throughout the entire month of November.

Wish Book: Local nonprofit agencies and organizations, as well as BCSF, will also be distributing our 2018 #BethelGives Wish Book. We encourage everyone to help improve our community by considering donating – either tangible items or cash gifts – to one or more of the organizations listed in the Wish Book. The Wish Book is available online here and at the websites of participating organizations. Physical copies of the book can be found at all participating organizations and at cash registers and customer service desks throughout Bethel.

Small Businesses: Local small businesses around Bethel will also be participating in the 2018 #BethelGives Campaign- Keep your eye out for #BethelGives signs in store windows and information posted at bethelgives.org and on social media about ways that you can support local small businesses that are supporting the #BethelGives campaign. A complete list of local businesses supporting the campaign can be found here!

Saturday Markets: #BethelGives volunteers will be available at the November 17 and November 24 Saturday Markets to collect contributions and distribute thank you gifts. Contributions made during Saturday Markets may be designated to the campaign as a whole or to individual organizations that are participating in the campaign. People who make contributions at Saturday Market will also have the opportunity to make them in honor of someone or in someone’s name and will be given a certificate for their contribution with a holiday-themed box or bag suitable for gifting.

Watson’s Corner Event: We will be marking #GivingTuesday by standing outside at Watson’s Corner on Tuesday, November 27 during lunch and after work to collect cash donations for the #BethelGives Campaign.

Phone, Mail and In-Person Contributions: Contributions to the #BethelGives Campaign will be accepted over the phone at 907-545-8483, in-person at the BCSF office, located at 1795 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, or by mail at PO Box 2189 Bethel, AK 99559.

Thank you for your support of the #BethelGives Campaign! If you have questions, please direct them to lisa@bcsfoundation.org or 907-545-1855.

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The 2017 #BethelGives campaign is in full swing!

WHAT IS #BETHELGIVES?

The aim of #BethelGives is to offer the Bethel and YK Delta community increased opportunities to support local organizations as we all prepare for winter and the holiday season – a time of great generosity and great need. #BethelGives is an extension of a national and international campaign – #GivingTuesday – which encourages people all over the world to follow the shopping mayhem of Black Friday and Cyber Monday with generosity that changes lives in their own local communities. On #GivingTuesday, people around the U.S.A. and world will share their time, talents and treasure with their neighbors in need, often through local organizations. Ten local Bethel organizations are represented in the 2017 #BethelGives coalition – Bethel Search and Rescue, TWC, KYUK, Bethel Family Clinic, Bethel Council on the Arts, Yuut Elitnaurviat, YK Delta Lifesavers, Bethel Friends of Canines, Winter House Shelter and the Kuskokwim Consortium Library Foundation (Bethel Library).

This year, we will be offering thank you gifts for #BethelGives contributions at the $40 level and at the $100 level. Thank you gifts will be assigned as follows:

Any contribution: #BethelGives Sticker
$40 contribution: #BethelGives Sticker and #BethelGives Mug
$100 contribution: #BethelGives Sticker, #BethelGives Mug and #BethelGives T-shirt

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE #BETHELGIVES CAMPAIGN?

Online: Contributions to the #BethelGives Campaign will be accepted through bcsfoundation.org or bethelgives.org.

Grocery stores: We are excited to announce that the 2017 #BethelGives Campaign will be rolling out, starting November 1, 2017, with the opportunity for community members to contribute $2, $10 or $20 to the campaign with every grocery purchase at AC or Swanson’s Grocery! This opportunity will be available throughout the entire month of November.

Wish Book: Local nonprofit agencies and organizations, as well as BCSF, will also be distributing our 2017 #BethelGives Wish Book. We encourage everyone to help improve our community by considering donating – either tangible items or cash gifts – to one or more of the organizations listed in the Wish Book. The Wish Book is available online here and at the websites of participating organizations. Physical copies of the book can be found at all participating organizations and at cash registers and customer service desks throughout Bethel.

Small Businesses: Local small businesses around Bethel will also be participating in the 2017 #BethelGives Campaign- Keep your eye out for #BethelGives signs in store windows and information posted at bethelgives.org and on social media about ways that you can support local small businesses that are supporting the #BethelGives campaign. A complete list of local businesses supporting the campaign can be found here!

Saturday Markets: #BethelGives volunteers will be available at the November 18, November 25 and December 9 Saturday Markets to collect contributions and distribute thank you gifts. Contributions made during Saturday Markets may be designated to the campaign as a whole or to individual organizations that are participating in the campaign. People who make contributions at Saturday Market will also have the opportunity to make them in honor of someone or in someone’s name and will be given a certificate for their contribution with a holiday-themed box or bag suitable for gifting.

Watson’s Corner Event: We will be marking #GivingTuesday by standing outside at Watson’s Corner on Tuesday, November 28 during lunch and after work to collect cash donations for the #BethelGives Campaign.

Thank you for your support of the #BethelGives Campaign! If you have questions, please direct them to lisa@bcsfoundation.org or 907-545-1855.

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2016 #bethelgives Campaign Summary

Download the Wishbook!

12/02/2016

The #bethelgives coalition and Bethel Community Services Foundation are thrilled to announce the successful completion of Bethel’s first #bethelgives campaign. Lasting approximately two weeks, with several associated events, the campaign raised more than $24,000.

The aim of the #bethelgives campaign, a local spinoff of #GivingTuesday, was to offer the Bethel and YK Delta community increased opportunities to support local organizations as we all prepare for winter and the holiday season. Events included opportunities to donate to local organizations at Saturday Market and local stores, a Fill the Stocking drive at Watson’s Corner, the Give+Get drawing and a Giving Wish Book outlining needs of local organizations that is available in printed form and online.

Nine local Bethel organizations were represented in the 2016 #bethelgives coalition – Bethel Search and Rescue, Yuut Elitnaurviat, TWC, KYUK, Bethel Family Clinic, Bethel Council on the Arts, the YK Delta Lifesavers, Bethel Friends of Canines and the Winter House Shelter. According to Reyne Athanas of the Bethel Council on the Arts, “These funds will really give a boost to each of the organizations and it is good to know that the community as a whole supports these nonprofits.”

In addition to the generosity of Bethel citizens, numerous Bethel and Alaska-based corporate partners were instrumental in the success of the #bethelgives campaign. Cash and in-kind donations, opportunities for the public to make pledges and cash-match programs were provided to the campaign by Bethel Community Services Foundation, Bethel Native Corporation, Bethel Pho Thai, ConocoPhillips AK, Delta Discovery, Donlin Gold, First National Bank Alaska, Long House Hotel, Mexkimo Tacos, Sammy’s Market, Swanson’s Grocery, Vitus Energy, YPCC Art Guild, YPCC Coffee Cart and the YPCC Saturday Market.

This was a first-time collaborative fundraising effort, which provided an opportunity for staff, volunteers and board members from various organizations to work closely together. “The #bethelgives campaign was a lot of fun!” said Eileen Arnold of the Tundra Women’s Coalition. “Working together towards a common goal felt good and it delivered good results! Thanks to the entire community for making this happen.” This sentiment was shared by Gerry Graves, a board member of the Bethel Family Clinic. “It brought me so much joy to be a part of #BethelGives, living in a community that truly cares and gives. Thank you for giving.”

If you are interested in learning more about the #bethelgives campaign or would like to look at the 2016-2017 Giving Wish Book, please visit www.bcsfoundation.org or contact Lisa Whalen at lisa@bcsfoundation.org or 907-545-1855.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM: BETHEL COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION

DATE: 11/17/16

RE: #bethelgives CAMPAIGN

Download the Wishbook!

Bethel Community Services Foundation announces the launch of the #bethelgives campaign, sponsored by the Bethel Community Services Foundation and nine local nonprofit organizations.

The aim of #bethelgives is to offer the Bethel and YK Delta community increased opportunities to support local organizations as we all prepare for winter and the holiday season – a time of great generosity and great need.

The nine #bethelgives groups are:Bethel Search and Rescue, Yuut Elitnaurviat, TWC, KYUK, Bethel Family Clinic, Bethel Council on the Arts, the YK Delta Lifesavers, Bethel Friends of Canines and the Winter House Shelter.

#bethelgives is an extension of a national and international campaign – #GivingTuesday – which encourages people all over the world to follow the shopping mayhem of Black Friday and Cyber Monday with generosity that changes lives in their own local communities. On #GivingTuesday, people around the U.S.A. and world will share their time, talents and treasure with their neighbors in need, often through local organizations.

#bethelgives has several components:

The #bethelgives Giving Wish Book: The Wish Book is one component of the #Bethel Gives campaign. BCSF is thrilled to partner with amazing organizations that are part of the fabric of our local community. We encourage people to help improve our community by considering donating – either tangible items or cash gifts – to one or more of the organizations listed in the Wish Book. The Wish Book is online at bcsfoundation.org and at the websites of participating organizations. Physical copies of the book can be found at all participating organizations and at cash registers and customer service desks throughout Bethel.
#bethelgives will be at the Saturday Market on November 26. At the market, staff, board and volunteers of BCSF and the nine participating organizations will take turns staffing a #bethelgives table, with options for donors to contribute to any of the nine individual participating organizations, to purchase the gift of a contribution to an organization for a holiday gift, to learn more about any of the nine organizations or to sign up for volunteer opportunities.
#bethelgives will be at Watson’s Corner at lunch and after work on Giving Tuesday (November 29). We will collect contributions for the #bethelgives campaign.
#bethelgives has partnered with several businesses who wish for help further the reach of the campaign and support the good works of the organizations. Customers of Swanson’s will be able to make a $1, $5, or $10 contribution at the cash register from November 18 through Giving Tuesday, November 29. Customers of Sammy’s Market will be able to make a contribution on #GivingTuesday, which Sammy’s Market will match dollar-for-dollar.
Mexkimo Tacos will participate on #GivingTuesday.
The vendor fees collected from table rentals at the November 26 Saturday Market will be donated to #bethelgives.
The gift shop at the cultural center and the coffee cart at the cultural center will offer customers the opportunity to donate to #bethelgives.
FNBA will match the first $100 of pledges made to the #bethelgives campaign.
Wells Fargo will provide a contribution to the #bethelgives campaign.
We expect other businesses to partner with #bethelgives as #GivingTuesday approaches.

Pledges to the campaign can be made via phone at 545-8483 or online at bcsfoundation.org. Monetary contributions to the campaign at Swanson’s or via the website, phone or at Watson’s Corner will be split evenly amongst the participating organizations. Contributions made at Saturday Market can allocated to specific individual organizations OR the campaign as a whole. Donations of Wish Book items will be collected at the Saturday Market on November 26 or by contacting the participating agency directly.

CONTACTS: Primary: Lisa Whalen, Program Officer, BCSF. lisa@bcsfoundation.org and 545-1855. Secondary: Michelle DeWitt, ED, BCSF. michelle@bcsfoundation.org and 543-1812.

#bethelgives planning committee members: Jon Cochrane, Eileen Arnold, Gerry Graves, Sam Samuelson, Reyne Athanas, Jeremy Osborne, Zach Fansler, Bev Hoffman and Jesslyn Elliott. Contact info for the planning committee can be given upon request.

quyurramta

Media Contact: Michelle DeWitt, BCSF 545-6052 michelle@bcsfoundation.org

Media contact for LKSD: Joy Shantz 543-4810 joy_shantz@lksd.org

In response to the November 3, 2015 fire at the Kilbuck school facility in Bethel, Bethel Community Services Foundation has established an emergency fund to benefit the Kuskokwim Learning Academy and Ayaprun Elitnaurvik schools. Named the Quyurramta Fund, or “All of Us Together”, this fund will be dedicated to fire relief needs – both for emergent needs and for efforts to re-establish the schools- and was formed in collaboration with the Lower Kuskokwim School District. The fund will be used to manage the contributions from individual donors and local fundraising efforts,as well as corporate and philanthropic contributions.

Both the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik and Kuskokwim Learning Academy schools were heavily damaged in the fire. Both schools now have temporary locations, and the district is in the process of assessing immediate needs as well as developing strategy for school locations for the spring semester and establishing plans for permanent facilities.

“This fire has destroyed so much more than buildings,” said Dan Walker, LKSD superintendent. “Both schools have incredibly important missions. Both build strong senses of self among their students. It is critical that we rebuild these schools so they can continue their work in language and cultural preservation, and dropout prevention.”

“There has been an incredible outpouring of support for the schools that were devastated by the fire,” said Michelle DeWitt, Executive Director of BCSF. “Many people and groups have expressed concern and want to provide help. This fund will create an opportunity for all those contributions and proceeds from fundraising efforts to be centralized in one established fund.”

DeWitt said that BCSF can provide assistance in the tracking and implementation of the funds, which will all be spent as intended by donors- to support the emergent and longer-term needs of the schools. “Our community foundation is structured to accept and implement charitable contributions for designated purposes such as this. The fire was a tragedy for our community,
and this is one way BCSF can help with efforts to move forward,” DeWitt said.

Janelle Vanasse, director of secondary education at LKSD, said the name of the fund is intentional and captures the spirit of the community in the wake of the fire. “Quyurramta is a term LKSD has been using with some of our efforts across the district. All of us together- that perfectly describes the collective response to this emergency and the long-term efforts we have before us to rebuild.”

Contributions to the fund, which are tax-deductible, can be made via the Bethel Community Services Foundation website- www.bcsfoundation.org- using the Quyurramta Fund link. Contributions may also be mailed to BCSF, Attention Quyarramta Fund, at PO Box 2189; Bethel, AK 99559. BCSF can process in-person cash transactions and credit card transactions (credit card transactions may also be made via phone). Contributions made directly to LKSD or through other efforts will be transferred to the Quyurramta Fund. People with questions are encouraged to call Michelle DeWitt at BCSF at (907) 543-1812 or send an email to michelle@bcsfoundation.org.