Challenge Surpasses $2.7 Million Raised Over Past 16 Years
St. Cloud, Minn. – The Norman C. Skalicky Foundation and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation announced today that the Charity Challenge raised a record $464,045 to provide much-needed support for the St. Cloud metro area.
The total includes a $100,000 match from the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation. The money raised will benefit the St. Cloud Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and the St. Joseph Community Food Shelves. The Challenge has raised $2,727,098 since it started in 2001.
“The generosity of our community is truly amazing,” CMCF Executive Director Caryl Turnow said. “The Charity Challenge sponsored by Norm Skalicky is one example of how when we all work together, we can accomplish so much. This extra help to the local food shelves is so important to ensuring basic needs are met for all members of this community.”
The Skalicky Foundation initiated a Community Challenge just before Thanksgiving to match every dollar donated up to $100,000. The Challenge raised $21,366 more than it raised in 2015.
“With the community’s involvement, we’re helping more and more people every year with the Charity Challenge,” said Norman Skalicky, CEO of Stearns Bank. “The holiday season can be a difficult time for many, but knowing we might have made a difference for families in need really makes us proud. We are so humbled by the generosity our community has shown over the past 16 years.”
The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF), in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/CentralMN.