Valley Gives puts people in mood to donate

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - You only have a few hours left to make a donation to your favorite local charity through the first-ever Valley Gives event.

Hundreds of organizations throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties are participating in the online-based charity event. Large and small nonprofits are involved in this effort to collect some much-needed funds during this busy holiday season.

Leaders for organizations involved expressed gratitude for the opportunity

“Thank you Valley Gives for your leadership in providing the Sisters of Providence Health System, other non-profits and the broad range of donors in our community the opportunity to have an impact of this magnitude for those we serve,” said Brenda McCormick, Senior Vice President of Fund Development for Sisters of Providence Health System.

According to the Valley Gives website, as of 5:00 P.M., more than $682,500 has been donated to area charities, with nearly 4,500 people making individual donations. As of that hour, the top large nonprofit fundraisers were the Franklin Land Trust, the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. The top small nonprofits were Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, New Spirit Inc, and Whole Children.

To make a donation, log-on to the Valley Gives website.