The 27th annual Stewart’s Holiday Match
program, from Thanksgiving Day through
Christmas Day, raised over $670,000 to from
donors, which then doubled to $1.34 million
with the Stewart’s match.
The company said the amount is equal
to the funds raised during last year’s campaign,
which is significant since there were
six less collection days in 2013 due to the
shortened time between Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
“Our customers really ramped up their
generosity, giving as much in 28 days as
they did in 34 days last year,” said Stewart’s
Foundation President Susan Dake. “Special
thanks to our shop partners and media
partners for encouraging this impressive
participation.”
After this year’s funds have been distributed, the Stewart’s Holiday Match program will have allocated nearly $19 million since the program’s inception in 1986, said Dake.
Donations are collected from Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day 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. Those funds will be allocated in March, the company said.
Children’s charities can still apply for funding from the Holiday Match 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 Holiday Match funding last year is available at any shop or at stewartsshops.com.