BOISE — UPDATE: Nearly 12,000 Idahoans donated more than $1.9 million to 589 nonprofits Thursday as part of Idaho Gives. The donations of $1,905,736.69 surpasses the 2018 total of $1,558,838.76 and is expected to rise as additional funds raised through dozens of community events is added into the platform.
The Idaho Humane Society earned the most donations, collecting more than $159,600, with The Peregrine Fund -- World Center for Birds of Prey coming in second at $79,525. The Idaho Humane Society also attracted the most unique donors, with 606 donations. Final leaderboards will be announced as soon as possible once the Idaho Gives team can verify the totals.
ORIGINAL STORY: It's hard to beat the view from the rooftop, but the people inside are certainly giving it a run for its money.
"Community members investing in community members, and small businesses investing in small businesses, and people coming around the table to help out their neighbors," said John and Junes Mission founder Dan Canfield, "it's powerful stuff."
From midnight to midnight, Idaho Gives helps 600 nonprofits raise funds, setting a steep goal of 1.7 million raised. Each passionate to spread awareness.
We create products such as cork-boards, birdhouses, rivets and them give them to people to raise money for their own cure," said Corks For A Cure's Christopher Zahn.
"We are a nonprofit organization that helps provide specialty and emergency services to patients and clients, most pets in need," said Audrey Pet Foundation's Erin O'Brien.
Of the hundreds of nonprofits participating in Idaho Gives, they're all a little different, but there's one common factor among several of the ones on this rooftop.
"I was a cancer caregiver for my grandparents, John and June, who the organization is named after," said Dan Canfield.
"We offered a retreat for widows of cancer," said Sunrise Retreat's Marni Henderson.
"We've taken cancer patients and survivors of all ages and diagnoses on river trips throughout Idaho," said River Discovery's Betsy Carver.
Resources for those battling cancer is a core theme for this block downtown, and every dollar helps keep them afloat.
"Really counts on our volunteers and our alumni to help carry us through the slower times, the times when money is a little thinner, and Idaho Gives is a great way for us to replenish and ensure we can offer those trips for years to come," said Carver.
