Community Spirit Shines as Brazos Valley Gives Raises Over $1.2 Million in Brenham

Community Comes Together at the Sixth Annual Brazos Valley Gives Event in Brenham

What a beautiful day it was in Brenham! With mainly sunny skies and a high of 86°F, the weather perfectly matched the *warmth of the community spirit* that filled the air during the sixth annual Brazos Valley Gives event on Tuesday. As the sun shined brightly, a sense of excitement surrounded the gathering of 198 local nonprofits, all uniting for a communitywide day of giving.

Record-Breaking Funds Raised!

In an impressive display of generosity, this year’s event raised more than $1.2 million. Residents of Washington County opened their hearts and wallets, contributing significantly to this incredible total. Patricia Gerling, the president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, shared her delight over the outstanding fundraising efforts. “We are *tickled to death* to celebrate philanthropy within the Brazos Valley Gives program,” she expressed. “This is our gift to the community in recognizing the donors and the work of all our great nonprofits.”

A Shoutout to Top Fundraisers

Amongst the sea of dedicated organizations, two stood out this year for their remarkable contributions: Hope Gathering raised approximately $95,000, and The Citadel pulled in over $86,000. Both of these nonprofits received special recognition for their invaluable support of local causes, proving once again how heartfelt *community service* can spark positive change.

Support for Local Education Foundations

In addition to the funds raised, excitement is also brewing for the Burton and Brenham education foundations, which will benefit from matching grant money provided by the Greater Texas Foundation. According to Gerling, “If they raised $2,500, we can turn that into a $5,000 grant.” This generous program doubles the impact of donations, helping to bolster local educational initiatives.

How Did the Day Shape Up?

This year, donors had the convenience of contributing online at brazosvalleygives.org or could drop off donations at four designated drive-through locations from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.. The local drop-off point was the *Washington County Chamber of Commerce* in Brenham, where the atmosphere was buzzing. Many businesses and organizations took part, showcasing their *spirit of giving* with “big check” presentations – a fun way to capture memories and join in on the excitement for social media!

Volunteers Making a Difference

Community spirit was further bolstered by the hard work of over 88 volunteers who championed various nonprofit campaigns. These selfless individuals organized online fundraisers and took on the important role of spreading the word about their chosen causes. Their dedication made a clear difference, emphasizing that *unity is strength*.

Looking Towards the Future

As the day wrapped up, Gerling announced another exciting event on the horizon. On Monday, November 11, participating nonprofits will gather for a *prize giveaway celebration*. “Our sixth annual giving day empowers donors throughout our region to give where they live,” stated Julie Porter, co-chair of the event. “Brazos Valley Gives strengthens our nonprofits and unites the community as one.”

Get Involved!

The overarching mission of Brazos Valley Gives remains clear: to support and uplift nonprofits across the seven-county Brazos Valley region. If you want to learn more about participating organizations or get involved in upcoming events, you can visit brazosvalleygives.org or email brazosvalleygives@gmail.com. Additionally, Gerling can be reached at 979-589-4305 for those interested.

It’s heartening to see communities come together for such a wonderful cause, and we can only imagine the positive ripple effects these efforts will create in our beloved Brenham!