Forty organizations will participate in the third annual Seward County Gives week May 4-9, with the goal of raising money for 40 different projects that will benefit area residents.
Giving begins Saturday, May 4, and will run through Thursday, May 9, with special events throughout the week.
Seward County Gives organizer Misty Ahmic said the campaign hopes to build on the success of the last two years.
“In year one we raised $175,000. Last year we raised $290,000, and this year we hope to beat $300,000,” Ahmic said.
Those numbers include matching dollars, which total $40,000 for 2024.
“As with previous years, all unique donors (with unique addresses) who give $10 or more count as a point,” Ahmic said. “At the end, the organization who receives the most points receives a higher percentage of the match – but all organizations will receive some.”
The match dollars were given by 20 local businesses, including two who will match their employees’ donations dollar-for-dollar directly to the employee’s chosen organization.
“I started this initiative to keep our donations here in Seward County,” Ahmic said, “meaning the projects and partners who participate must utilize their funds for opportunities in Seward County.”
Since its inception in 2022, the Seward County Gives committee has grown to include Ahmic, Sharon Powell, Joey Carder, Michelle Meyer, Stephanie Cradick, Katie Wergin, Shane Baack and Preston Suhr.
The week includes a schedule of activities hosted by participating organizations where they can share what they’re fundraising for.
How to donate
Donors may give online at sewardcountygives.com, in-person at events throughout the week or at in-person giving stations across the county.
Checks must be made out to Seward County Gives, even if giving directly to the organization. This ensures the donation is counted for matching dollars.
In-person giving stations include:
Cordova – First Bank of Utica
Milford – Jones Bank
Seward – Cattle Bank, Jones Bank and Union Bank
Staplehurst – Our Redeemer Lutheran School and Good Ol’ Days
Tamora – CVA
Utica – First Bank of Utica
Participating
organizations
More details on each project are available at www.sewardcountygives.com.
Blue River Historical Society – log cabin restoration and preservation
Blue River Pet Rescue – PurrHaven renovation
Blue Valley Community Action – emergency services
Seward Christmas Festival – festival updates and downtown lights
City of Milford – park improvement project, phase two
Cordova Volunteer Fire Department – truck equipment improvements
Flatwater Film Festival – social gatherings during the festival
Heart to Heart Ministries – to offset counseling costs
Hope Crisis Center – safe shelter and services for Seward County
Kiwanis Club of Seward - Helping Hands – furnishings for the Seward Wellness Center’s kids “watch room”
Kiwanis Club of Seward Foundation – flag replacement at Seward Parade of Flags
Legacy Fund for Seward County – endowment building
Make a Wish Nebraska – granting wishes in Seward County
Milford Childhood Learning Center – MCLC Scholarship Program
Milford Kiwanis Club – handicap accessible park swing
Milford Recreation Board – field upgrades and equipment
Milford Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department – Conex fire training
Mound Prairie Cemetery – cemetery maintenance and upkeep
Nebraska National Guard Museum – Operation Snowbound 1949 “M29 Weasel” exhibit
Olde Glory Foundation – community hall roof repair
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School – Gaga Ball pit
Plum Creek Literacy Festival – 2024 festival
Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee – 2024 July Fourth celebration
Seward Arts Council – 2024 Fifth Street Summer Music Series
Seward County Genealogical Society – preserving school census records and purchasing a projector
Seward Memorial Library – sound system improvements
Seward Read to Me – book donations
Seward United Methodist Church – Gather and Grow south building addition project
Seward Youth and Community Club – Plum Creek sports and turf campaign
Seward-ish Giving Tree – Veteran support
Sixpence – diapers for Seward County families in need
Southeast Nebraska CASA – recruit and retain five new Seward volunteers
St. John Lutheran School – security access points
Staplehurst Volunteer Fire Department – bunker gear updates
Tamora Volunteer Fire Department – bunker gear update
Utica Ball Organization – rebuilding the UBO
Utica Cemetery – finish the fence
Utica Community Foundation – downtown Utica mural
Utica Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department – Stryker power load cot
Village of Cordova – repainting the base of the landmark windmill
Village of Utica Parks and Pool – new public swimming pool
