SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- While everyone is counting down the days until Christmas, Stewart's Shops is counting up toward a goal of $1 million for this year's Holiday Match. After only two weeks, the annual holiday donations program is on a record-setting pace, the company said, already showing a significant increase compared to last year.
Holiday Match is a yearly program that runs in all 322 Stewart's Shops from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day. Contributions that are made by customers are matched by the company and then donated to local children's [image-nocss] charities.
So far, Holiday Match has raised nearly $237,000. With the Stewart's match, the amount is nearly $474,000, an increase of 34% compared to 2005. "We invite everyone to be a part of this amazing program, and help us reach a million dollars," said Stewart's Shops president, Gary Dake. "You can make a donation at any Stewart's Shop. Remember, your donation will be doubled and there are no administrative costs."
Stewart's credits the success of Holiday Match to its generous customers, hard working employees and dedicated media partnersTime Warner-Capital News 9, Albany Broadcasting, Adirondack Broadcasting, Catamount Radio, Regent Communications, Cumulus Broadcasting and 7News and Fox 28 in Watertown, N.Y.
Last year, the company collected $450,000 from customers, with more than $900,000 after the Stewart's match being donated to 933 local children's organizations. "We'd like to thank everyone for donating their spare change to help the children of our communities," added Dake.
The Stewart's Holiday Match program began in 1986, and as of last year, reports a grand total of $8.7 million donated to children's charities.
Click here to download and view the Stewart's Holiday Match informercial.
Separately, the York, Pa.-based Rutter's companies recently presented a check for $10,000 to the Dallastown Area Educational Foundation.
The donation will support educational opportunity grants to teachers. The nonprofit foundation raises funds to expand educational opportunities for students in the Dallastown Area School District.
In 2006, Rutter's will make charitable contributions of approximately $250,000, it said.
Family-owned and third generation-managed, the Rutter's companies comprise Rutter's Farm Stores, Rutter's Dairy and M&G Realty, a real-estate holding company.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.