CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – For those who have lived in the Charlottesville community for many years, they know that central Virginia is home to nearly 700 nonprofit organizations.  Normally, most executive directors would tell you how difficult it is to raise funding on a regular basis, but especially when there is economic uncertainty.  Therefore, Tuesday presents another opportunity for them to share their message and make a final push for end of the year giving to support their budgets.

Charlottesville is fortunate to have a number of nonprofits that assist in a myriad of human services from supporting nutrition insecurity, the unhoused, early childhood education and much more. Jim Battaglia, the Director of Philanthropy for Camp Holiday Trails, a local year-round camp that supports children and their families who have medical needs is well aware of how much the support of the community is needed.

“It’s so impactful [for the kids we serve] that they don’t have to worry about the diagnoses, they can just be at camp and have fun and that’s the main thing.” Bataglia appeared on the WINA Morning News. “There’s a number of different ways [the public can support us] they can go to our website campholidaytrails.org, they can donate online, we’re going to be sending out a mass text out shortly, there’s so many ways they can mail a check in or contact me, Tina (the Executive Director) or Marissa (Director of Annual Giving).  We’d love to give people a tour of camp if they want to see where the new Med Korner is going to be (their current capital project). We also post on social media that’s another way to give, Instagram or Facebook Camp Holiday Trails.”

Another impactful local nonprofit is the Center at Belvedere, who serves local seniors with over 150 programs a week.  Their Executive Director Melanie Benjamin joined the WINA Morning News.

“We’re very fortunate at the Center to have some incredibly generous community investors and donors who give of their philanthropy to make it happen for us.”  The Center does not receive any local government funding in their annual budget, so opportunities like Giving Tuesday are very important for their fundraising efforts.  “About sixty percent of what it takes to run the Center comes from philanthropy so like most nonprofits we rely on people like you and me.”  Benjamin went on to describe the impact of her organization, which is always an important metric when donors are evaluating where to place their dollars.  “We have about 2200 members, but we impact 10 to 12 thousand people annually with our programs.  That’s older adults, younger adults, kids, but mostly people who are 50 and better.”

Individuals interested in supporting the Center can do so by visiting thecentercville.org.

In addition to those nonprofits, the annual Toy Lift, is in its 36th year and will be held Friday December 5th.  The Toy lift serves 1800 families and 3700 children locally on an annual basis, and the Charlottesville Media Group stations will be broadcasting live all day on Friday December 5th from Fashion Square Mall to encourage our community to support the initiative.  Dave Fafara is the President of Toy Lift Charities, and he joined the WINA Morning News.

“Toy Lift is the biggest community involved day in Charlottesville, Albemarle County, what we do is we put smiles on kids’ faces Christmas Morning, who would otherwise might not have a Christmas for one reason or another.  Kids who have fallen through the cracks, not serviced by any other organization.  Children that are identified by the schools that may not have a Christmas.”  Community members can support the Toy Lift online by visiting toylift.org.