C&C Fund begins drive to raise $25,000

The Colfax & Community Fund had its annual kickoff luncheon at the Colfax Rotary meeting last week. The drive aims to raise $25,000 in the next year for eight non-profit organizations.

Colfax & Community Fund officially launched for the next year last Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Colfax Rotary luncheon. The fund drive each year begins in October.

“Now we are officially kicked off,” said Phil Misner, president of the fund board, after reading a proclamation signed at the Oct. 17 Colfax City Council meeting declaring Oct. 20 to be “Colfax & Community Fund Day.”

The fund each year attempts to raise $25,000 for eight non-profit organizations which serve Colfax and the surrounding area.

“It’s an agency that was established many, many decades ago to consolidate many different non-profits that work within the community,” explained Misner. “Instead of each one having to come around and ask for support, we consolidate our efforts with the fund drive.”

The eight agencies which the fund drive benefits are Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse, Boost Collaborative, Boy Scouts of America, Colfax Youth League, Community Action Center, Council on Aging, Families Together for People with Disabilities and Palouse River Counseling. The eight organizations were present to explain the work they do within the community.

“On behalf of these agencies and the Colfax and Community Fund Drive, I simply want to thank Colfax and the community,” said Misner.

Misner also thanked the Thrifty Grandmothers, who every year donate $5,000 to kick off the drive.

“Year after year after year, the Grandmas pull through with one of the most significant donations that the fund drive receives,” said Misner.

Thrifty Grandmothers last year were recognized for their contributions with a plaque that was presented at the Colfax Rotary luncheon when the drive kicked off.

Misner also thanked the Rotary for its support.

“It’s been many, many years that the kickoff has started at the Colfax Rotary club, and the Rotary club has been very, very supportive of the fund drive,” he said.

When money is raised each year, the eight member organizations apply for funding support based on the needs of their respective organizations. Funding is not allocated equally, but rather by need. In the last year, more than $20,000 was raised.

“Through the support of the Rotary, the Grandmas and the community, last year we were able to raise once again over $20,000 on behalf of the member agencies,” said Misner. “Each agency was able to receive the full amount of which they asked for. We are certainly appreciative of your generosity.”

The goal for the fund this year – as in year’s past – is $25,000. That goal has not been met in recent years, but fund organizers said last year was the best in recent years.

After the Rotary luncheon, fund representatives went to Colfax businesses to explain about the fund and seek donations. Brochures about the fund are also going out in the mail, and donations can also be given through the fund’s newly-established PayPal account. The link for that can be found on the fund’s Facebook page.

The PayPal option has a small service fee to donate, but it is less than the regular fee because of the 501c3 status of the fund.

“We get a discounted fee rate,” Jeannette Solimine, fund treasurer, told the Gazette two weeks ago.

The drive will also include the “What A Basket” promotion either around Valentine’s Day or Easter, as well as another “Kiss the Pig” competition which will conclude at the Palouse Empire Fair.

The “What A Basket” drive is at Rosauers each year, and patrons can purchase tickets to be entered to win the prize basket.

The Kiss the Pig contest debuted this year with four elected officials competing for kiss votes via donations.

Solimine said if the contest continues next year, it may be with a different animal for the smooch.

To be part of the community fund board or to volunteer with it, attend a monthly meeting. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon at Umpqua Bank in Colfax.

For more information about the fund drive: ColfaxACF@gmail.com