WACF announces results of Christmas Tree Fundraiser

January 14, 2020

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Nearly $18,000 has been awarded to 15 nonprofits as a result of the annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser sponsored by the Watertown Area Community Foundation (WACF).

The event, traditionally hosted at the Watertown Regional Library, aims to raise awareness of non-profits, as well as promote unrestricted gifts to them, during the holiday season.

The public supported the effort through December by voting ($1 each) for their favorite trees/organizations. The Foundation matched donations up to $300 per organization, and the organization with the most votes received an additional $500 grant.

That winner was Northern Prairie Arts/NE Artist Network ending with a grand total of $4,374, which included the match and grant. Second place was Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center, which received $3,183 for its efforts.

Other participants receiving funds were: 4 the Kids SD, Bark for Life/American Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, Community Transits of Watertown/Sisseton, East-Central CASA, PACH, Special Olympics Watertown Area, The Salvation Army, Town Players, Watertown Cheer & Dance Association, Watertown Police K-9, Watertown Regional Library and the Watertown Volunteer Center.

“Thanks to the public and the library, this event has been successful for many years,” said Jan DeBerg, WACF executive director. “These ‘unrestricted’ funds are a welcome boost for the nonprofits as 2020 gets under way.”

Nearly all of the organizations at least met their $300 match.

Pictured are front row, from left: Cammie Mengwasser, East-Central CASA; Sister Teresa Ann Wolf, Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center; Capt. Karissa Zumwalt, Salvation Army; Tammy Rohde, Watertown Volunteer Center; Nancy Johnson, Town Players; Deb Stuchl, Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, Inc.; and DeeDee Whitman, Watertown Regional Library.

Back, from left, are Ralph Wamsher, Northern Prairie Arts- Northeast Artist Network; Rich Thomas, Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center; Colette VanWell, Special Olympics Watertown Area; Sue Luken, PACH; Belinda Engelhart, Bark for Life American Cancer Society; Connie Cutler, Watertown Police Dept. K-9 Unit; and Liz Christianson, Boys & Girls Club.

Not pictured are 4 the Kids SD and Watertown Cheer & Dance.