| Dollars raised total more than $70,000 |
| Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Women’s Fund (WAWF), an initiative of the Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF), announces it has exceeded its fundraising goal to help the efforts to deter sexual exploitation and trafficking in Kandiyohi County. Through generous community donations and the efforts of 37 campaigners, the Fund exceeded its goal of $50,000 and raised a total of $70,741. This annual campaign began on June 10, 2019, and the final total was revealed at the Caring for Women Campaign Luncheon on September 26, 2019. The Willmar Area Women’s Fund raises funds that help fuel the work of their partner organizations: Safe Avenues, Lutheran Social Services and the Kandiyohi County Human Trafficking Task Force. These organizations work to stop sexual exploitation, assist victims and prevent the occurrence of sexual exploitation locally. The goal of the Women’s Fund is to raise funds, broaden awareness and support education so our partner organizations can continue to make an even bigger impact on sexual exploitation in Kandiyohi County. “Because of our generous donors, we can continue our part in local efforts to stop and prevent sexual exploitation and human trafficking. We will also be exploring the next steps in securing trauma-sensitive care training for our area professionals,” states WAWF Chair, Jean Geselius. More information about the Willmar Area Women’s Fund can be found at www.NotHereNotOurKids.com or by calling the Willmar Area Community Foundation at 320-235-4380. The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF), in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1998, WACF has grown to over $19.1 million in assets and awarded $8.8 million in grants to local nonprofits. CommunityGiving is a collaboration of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. The core foundations working with CommunityGiving include the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Willmar Area Community Foundation. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers nearly 850 funds totaling more than $150 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Willmar. |