On Thursday, the Portage Health Foundation delivered checks to non-profits throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. A total of 15 non-profits in the area were supported by $217,781 in donations from community members. With a $100,000 match from the foundation, the #GivingTuesday campaign, appropriately labeled “Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is,” that means $317,781 in total funds.

That is an incredible number when you think about it.

These non-profits, from places like Omega House and Dial Help to Phoenix House and the Ontonagon Cancer Association, all do vital work within our communities. We are very lucky to have such incredible donors, willing to help out those in need, and an organization like the Portage Health Foundation ready to step in and match donations in order to further help these non-profits do their work.

According to the foundation, more than 550 people made donations. That again is a staggering number and says a lot about the four-county area.

Every non-profit received a check Thursday for at least $2,700.

Congratulations are in order for the Swedetown Trails Club, Superior Search & Rescue, Simple Kindness for Youth (SKY), Phoenix House, Ontonagon County Cancer Society, Omega House, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Keweenaw Family Resource Center, Dial Help, Dan Schmitt Gift of Music, Copper Country Senior Meals, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter, Baraga County Shelter Home and 31 Backpacks, for being a part of #GivingTuesday.

We at the Daily Mining Gazette are proud of everyone involved in making this event so special and we are again amazed by the willingness of this community to step up when it really matters time and time again.