Idaho Gives has more success in 2015 than previous years

Idaho Gives events kicked off its 24-hour statewide period of donating Thursday.

“The whole purpose is to get the public to show support for their favorite nonprofit by going online by making just modest donations,” said Carrie Scheid with Idaho Gives.

The event is a chance for Idahoans to show support for their favorite nonprofit charities by making financial donations. Nonprofits, like the Idaho Art Lab said many organizations get most of their contributions from the event.

“In these rural towns, we often feel alone in our struggle, but the Idaho Art Lab is trying to network artists together and give them a place to come and create,” said co-founder Kara Hidalgo.

Idaho Gives said eastern Idaho is home to more than 90 charities and nonprofits, with half of them in them in Idaho Falls.

“Without donations downtown wouldn’t be inviting to tourists,” said Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corp. Executive Director, Krisi Staten. “A lot of our local businesses have teamed up with local nonprofits to spread their mission, to spread their word and to help increase the funds that are given to those nonprofits.”

Idaho Gives started in 2013 and raised more than $570,000. The event raised more than $780,000 in 2014.

Event organizers said they hope to surpass that number this year and said almost everyone can find a charitable cause they like.

As of 6:30 p.m., Idaho Gives had raised more than $877,000.

To donate, visit the Idaho Gives Website before 11:59 p.m.

Below is this year’s event lineup for southeast Idaho:

Idaho Falls:
• Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, Idaho Falls Park Cleanup, 4-6 p.m.
• PATH Idaho, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Villa Coffeehouse (344 Park Ave, Idaho Falls). We will have banners, giving stations, and more information about PATH Idaho.
• “Walk, Run or Jump for SRMS,” 11:00-11:30 a.m., Snake River Montessori School. We are hosting a school wide event on our playground. The children participate in the day by getting sponsors to donate in their honor to SRMS for their 30 minutes of physical activity for Idaho Gives.
• Snake River Montessori School, 4:00-10:00 p.m., The Celt: Pub & Grill. The Celt is supporting Idaho Gives by giving a coupon to anyone who donates for a “Buy One…Get One Free”, draft beer, well drinks, house wines & soda. SRMS will have a table at The Celt with a couple of computers & iPads for people to donate.
• Idaho Falls Start Strong Breakfast, 8-9 a.m., Idaho Falls Humanitarian Center, Meyer Parking Lot, 1415 Northgate Mile. Please join local nonprofits, Idaho Gives sponsors, and members of the community for breakfast, a money machine, donation stations, our first Golden Ticket drawing and much more! Light refreshments will be provided by Idaho Central Credit Union.
• Downtown Idaho Falls Gallery Walk, 5-8 pm, The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, 300 S. Capital Ave. Enjoy works by artists from around the region and around the globe at various community galleries and museums. Admission is completely free and no registration is required. Some locations offer refreshments, live music, and artist demos. Follow the Facebook page for updates. Seven locations: 1) Willowtree Gallery, 210 Cliff Street; 2) Eastern Idaho Photographic Society at The Collective, 396 Park Ave; 3) Willard Arts Center, 450 A Street; 4) WAC Artist Studios, 496 A Street; 5) Republic, 355 River Parkway; 6) SnakeBite, 401 Park Ave; 7) Spare Room Press, 260 B Street.
• Teton Regional Land Trust – Celebrate With Us! At MarCellar’s Wine and Brew 431 Park Avenue, Idaho Falls. Join the staff of Teton Regional Land Trust to celebrate this special day of giving. Fun prizes and incentives available for all who attend and donate. Stop by for snacks, a drink and great conversation about conservation and wildlife in Eastern Idaho.
• The Shepherd’s Inn event, 4:30-9:00 p.m., BlackRock (formerly Vino Rosso) Downtown. Join us, and tell your friends to join us, on May 7th from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. at BlackRock Downtown. We will have computers set up for you to give and fun raffle prizes for those do! Anyone who donates over $35 gets a free glass of wine or beer as well!
• The Eastern Idaho Environmental Education Association Water Festival, Tautphaus Park, 9:20 a.m. -1:40 p.m. The Eastern Idaho Environmental Education Association, sponsors and board members will be working at Water Festival at Tautphaus Park in Idaho Falls on May 7th to celebrate Water Awareness Week. The event is for 1500 5th and 6th graders in School Districts 91 and 93 as well as some private schools and includes lots of fun and educational activities to increase water awareness. The Tautphaus Park Zoological Society will provide free popcorn to guests at the the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park to celebrate Idaho Gives.
• ARTitorium on Broadway, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ARTitorium will offer free admission to everyone all day (10am-6pm) on May 7 to celebrate Idaho Gives.
• Hospice of Eastern Idaho, 7a.m.-3 p.m., La Vanilla Bean on the corner of Park and B Street. Join us at La Vanilla Bean, French Patisserie here in Idaho Falls. They have agreed to be a giving station for Idaho Gives.

Pocatello:
• Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, Pocatello Community Garden Plant Start Donation, 5 p.m., Girl Scout Office in Pocatello, 4155 Yellowstone Hwy, Suite 1293.
• Pocatello Start Strong Breakfast, 7a.m., Idaho Central Credit Union 4400 Central Way, Chubbuck, ID. Please join local nonprofits, Idaho Gives sponsors, and members of the community for breakfast, a money machine, donation stations, our first Golden Ticket drawing and much more! Light refreshments will be provided by Idaho Central Credit Union.