Stewart’s Shops has started its Holiday Match
program, which raises funds for local charities.
“Stewart’s Holiday Match makes it so easy
to give to charities located right in your own
community. Our customers wow us with their
generosity year after year,” said Stewart’s Shops
President Gary Dake.
Stewart’s Shops kicked off its Holiday Match
season with excitement, following a record
breaking program in 2014. Last year, customers
donated more than $770,000, which was
doubled to more than $1.5 million with the
Stewart’s match.
The money was used to support a record
1,600 organizations directly within the communities
where Stewart’s Shops are located.
Officials said since 1986, the Holiday Match
program has donated more than $20 million to
local children's organizations.
Donations will be collected through Christmas
Day across all 332 Stewart's Shops in upstate
New York and southern Vermont. Stewart's
then matches all individual customer donations.
All the money donated goes to charity. There are
no administrative costs.
The funds are allocated in March.
The goal of Holiday Match is to encourage
individual giving and broaden the base of
support for local charities. Stewart's Holiday
Match is a 501c3 foundation. All donations are
tax-deductible. Stewart's gladly accepts funds
from groups or businesses, but only matches
individual donations.
"Stewart's Shops matches all our customers'
donations dollar for dollar," said Stewart's
Foundation President Susan Dake. "Together we
extend the spirt of holiday giving by supporting
organizations that help thousands of children
year round."
To apply for funding, local children's organizations
can pick up an application throughout
the holidays at any Stewart's Shop or apply online
at www.stewartsshops.com. The deadline
for submission is Jan. 31. All groups applying
must be locally based, benefit children under
18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization.
A brochure listing all the local organizations
that received funds last season will also be available
in all Stewart's Shops.