Donations to the Stewart’s Holiday Match
program set a new record in its 28th season,
raising funds which will help support hundreds
of local children’s charities year round, company
officials said.
From Thanksgiving Day through Christmas
Day, Stewart’s customers donated over $770,000
to the program, which is then doubled to more
than $1.5 million with the Stewart’s match.
The company said the result was made
possible by the generosity of customers, many
regularly giving their spare change and others
who contributed larger gifts, as well as the hard
work of Stewart’s partners and support from
media partners.
“Each year our customers meet the challenge
of raising more funds for children’s charities,”
said Stewart’s Foundation President Susan
Dake. “We are so grateful to our customers for
their generosity and loyalty to Stewart’s Shops.”
The amount raised was a 15 percent increase in customer donations compared to the past two
years, where $1.34 million was raised.
Donations are collected at all 331 Stewart’s
Shops in upstate New York and western Vermont.
Stewart’s then matches all individual
customer donations. There are no administrative
costs and 100 percent of the funds collected
and matched benefit children’s organizations
directly within the communities where Stewart’s
Shops are located.
Children’s charities can still apply for funding
from the program. Applications are available at
all Stewart’s Shops or online at stewartsshops.com.
Applications must be submitted or postmarked
by Jan. 31 to be considered for funding.
All groups applying must be locally based,
benefit children under 18, and be a qualified,
charitable 501c3 organization. A brochure listing
charities that received funding last year is available
at any shop or at stewartsshops.com.