(MSC News)--The sixth Give to Grow challenge resulted in 709 gifts totaling $250,609. On top of this total is a match of $105,000 that will be added to the nonprofits total in a prorated rate. As a result, $355,609 was raised to uphold 53 local area charitable organizations.

The matching gifts were anchored by LaVon and Erma Wenger. Adding donations to the match pool were Kent and Donna Saylor, Paul and Betsy Tedman, Ray and Jeannie Bachelor, Ag Partners Coop, Morrill and Janes Bank, Wenger Manufacturing, Edelman’s Home Center, Community National Bank, Schenck Process and Extru-Tech and four board members. The top three organizations on the leaderboard were Sabetha Health & Wellness, the Sabetha Community Hospital Foundation and Neighbor-2-Neighbor. The leaderboard can be viewed at www.givetogrowday.com.

The event was sponsored by the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation which is a vehicle for people of all means to make a lasting difference in their local community. All donations are tax deductible and help fund local projects or existing nonprofits. GSCF was established in 2015 and is operated by a 15-member board of directors. GSCF is an affiliate of Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. GSCF can assist other organizations or people with ideas for community projects as well as help individuals establish donor advised funds which allows a donor to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit and make personal planned giving decisions over time.

The Greater Sabetha Community Foundation is celebrating its sixth anniversary this year. As of September the asset base of the foundation was $5,300,000. GSCF assists six other area community foundations to promote charitable giving in those communities.

A Community Celebration Gala will be held January 8 at the Main Event to honor the charitable organizations in the area, celebrate the community and give recognition to honorees who have “Served Sabetha Strong.” The honorees this year are Roger and Lavonne Aberle, Doug and Sharron Clark and Von and Jerre Lauer. This catered event is sponsored by KSi and Schenck Process and is free to the public.