Charities in Texarkana benefited from the generosity of area donors on April 20 during East Texas Giving Day, the region’s recognized day of giving to support local nonprofits. Hosted by East Texas Communities Foundation, the online fundraising effort began at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, and ended at midnight. Based on preliminary results, donors contributed $167,000 for Bowie County nonprofits and $1.3 million overall to support the causes they care about in 32 East Texas counties. During East Texas Giving Day, nonprofit organizations encouraged their donors and the public to make charitable donations online at www.easttexasgivingday.org. Donors could choose among 185 participating charities, and make donations starting at just $10. Throughout the day, some donations were eligible to be matched by donations already pledged by individuals to select nonprofits.

East Texas Giving Day benefited nonprofits of all sizes. Preliminary results show Bowie County charities with Texarkana College Foundation receiving the most contributions for a total of $45,273, followed by Caddo Area Council raising $41,109, and St. James Day School with $21,334.

Sandra Tipton and Belinda Lum, Northern Zone Director, served as the co-chairs.