Member Release: OCWCOG Announces Giving Day Campaign

Breaking, Business, Community Development, Economic Development, Seniors & Disability, Transportation, Volunteering

OCWCOG Launches Giving Day Campaign

Giving Day donation designed to amplify Meals on Wheels’ vitality and Regional impact through honoring an individual, business, or special occasion.

OCWCOG announces the launch of its Giving Day campaign, meant to enhance the existing fundraising efforts of the Meals on Wheels (MOW) program. Giving Day donors select a day that is important to them, their business, and that they want to celebrate. In doing so, their donation provides 100 meals to seniors and people with disabilities across the Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties Region. As a Giving Day donor, these individuals become one of 365 unique donors who value giving and honoring on a special occasion, and for that OCWCOG will honor them.

“The interest in the MOW program and how donors can make an impact with their gifts, is gratifying,” says Fred Abousleman, Executive Director, OCWCOG. “Our donors positively impact the lives of our MOW clients. The Giving Day Campaign is one way for OCWCOG to say thank you for their commitment to our most vulnerable citizens.”

The Giving Day Campaign

Each $1,000 Giving Day donor will receive a toolkit to help them talk about what their chosen day means to them.

  • Donate as an individual: celebrate a special event, honor a loved one, in lieu of birthday presents, or challenge your friends to support a cause you care about.
  • Donate as a business: celebrate a business achievement, show customer appreciation, or create a special event. Challenge your business associates to match your gift!
  • Donate one day or multiple days. Renew annually or commit to a multi-year donation.

Why Giving Day is Important
Funding for Meals on Wheels is comprised of seventy percent local, State, and Federal funding, and thirty percent grants and donations. In-kind donations include approximately 748,800 volunteer hours. Local community support is critical to the program’s long-term sustainability.

Larger donations, such as Giving Day at $1,000, support meal delivery and help keep costs associated with fundraising down.

“Hunger is a social issue for all of us; it is a public health concern with long-term consequences,” says Saleem Noorani, a local businessman and Giving Day donor. “Too many of our seniors face the threat of hunger, especially those who do not have access to the healthiest possible food options. MOW provides nutritious meals, and, just as important, a friendly human connection everyday lunch is delivered. I appreciate knowing that my contribution is being used in this way.”

To become a Giving Day donor, visit bit.ly/GivingDayDonation. For more information about MOW and the Giving Day program, visit www.OCWCOG.org/Meals, or contact Anita Lengacher at 541-967-8630.