Pocatello-Chubbuck non-profit orgs. get amped-up for “Idaho Gives”

On Thursday, the second, annual “Idaho Gives” campaign was well-underway across the state, raking-in donations for local non-profit organizations.

Dozens of community leaders piled into Idaho Central Credit Union’s notorious Green Machine, where they set-out to pay a visit to the local non-profits in the Pocatello-Chubbuck community.

ICCU’s Vice President of consumer lending Corey Dahle said the credit union is unique in the sense that it is a non-profit who also happens to be donating to the other local non-profits by matching the donations it rakes-in.

“It is a fun day for non-profits around the state of Idaho,” Dahle said. “It is a good opportunity for Idahoans to get together for good causes.”

SouthEastern Idaho Community Action Agency CEO Deb Hemmert said these non-profits are in tremendous need for these donations to come in after federal funding has been significantly diminishing over the years.

“This will give people across the United States a chance to give to the non-profits in Idaho and it is a wonderful program,” Hemmert said. “To have everyone here to help launch it is an honor for us.”

SEICAA is just one of the many non-profits who came out and needs that funding.

PAWS, CASA, and Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust were just a few, along with Family Services Alliance and Aid for Friends.

FSA interim Executive Director Sarah O’Banion echoed Hemmert’s sentiment.

“Funding is really tight, we have had lots of changes at FSA, and we are growing,” O’Banion said. “that means every dollar from community members is so important.”

Both O’Banion and Hemmert said the funding will help these non-profit organizations to be able to provide more services to those in need.

Hemmert said in 2013 SEICAA raised $1,200 through the campaign.

For a link to the “Idaho Gives” website, click here:http://idahogives.razoo.com/giving_events/id14/home