SAN ANTONIO – The numbers are in, and local charities and nonprofits can't thank San Antonians enough for a record year.
The Big Give raised $4.681 million this year, almost $400,000 more than last year.
San Antonio Pets Alive!, the nonprofit that saves shelter animals from euthanasia, as part of the Big Give, raised $147,000 in 24 hours. Last year, it raised only $25,000.
"Our goal internally was $100,000," said Maureen O'Nell, Pets Alive executive director. "We blew it out of the water."
Besides the overall donation amount, the 31,000 donors were also a record high.
"You can even see holes in the ceiling where confetti cannons blew holes in everything," said John Burnam, Big Give organizer.
Burnam said it was a pleasant surprise. The organization had to hire someone to build a brand new website from the ground up. Last year, some donors got double-charged and the site crashed. By noon, they were shut down. Burnam didn't know if people would come back.
"We had no idea how the community would respond," Burnam said.
Another organization with a successful day was Abode Contemplative Care for the Dying. It provides end-of-life care for the elderly, free of charge. Director Martha Jo Atkins said donors beat the staff's goal of $50,000 by giving $28,000 more.
“San Antonio, thank you," Atkins said. "It's amazing. We're so grateful."
The giving isn't over.
With the new website, you can look up the charities and nonprofits and continue to donate throughout the year. For more information, visit https://www.thebiggivesa.org/.
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