Big Day of Giving prompts events to mark fundraising day for Auburn-area non-profits

Big Day of Giving is less than a week away, and several Auburn-based non-profits are taking the opportunity to throw events associated with the day of generosity. Thursday will mark the 10th anniversary for Big Day of Giving, when the community shares its generosity to more than 700 non-profits serving El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. The Big Day of Giving website states 38 non-profits are participating within a 10-mile radius of Auburn. For the Auburn Education Foundation, Bowman Education Foundation and Auburn Feed the Hungry, the day will be marked by getting together with supporters at local businesses. Auburn Education Foundation The Auburn Education Foundation raises funds to benefit students in the Auburn Union School District. Funds are provided directly to the classroom via grants for curriculum and enrichment materials and supplies the district would otherwise not fund. The organization was known for its annual fundraising events, but pandemic protocols put a damper on the ability to do so. This year, the organization is using Big Day of Giving as an opportunity to gather again. "We have missed the opportunity to gather with supporters of local public education," said Sarah Brichler, a volunteer for the foundation. "We can't wait to see our supporters in person and enjoy performances from our students." On Thursday, the Auburn Education Foundation will have a no-host event at Old Town Pizza at the Gold Country Fairgrounds from 4-7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Skyridge Elementary Dance Club and EV Cain band. "The enriching ways that the Auburn Education Foundation supports staff and students have been the best-kept secret in town for over 35 years," said Shirley Paris, Auburn Education Foundation president. "The Big Day of Giving has allowed us to reach our greater community with the many great things that are happening in Auburn schools." Feed the Hungry of Auburn What started as a single mission to purchase animals from the Auburn Junior Livestock Auction and then process the meat and donate to the Auburn Salvation Army Corps has blossomed into an organization that is continually benefitting the community through a number of partnerships. Feed the Hungry of Auburn's current mission is to implement food rescue projects that link food sources to community food banks, ministries, shelters and kitchens, and provide food for those most in need. To provide a source of new toys for children, not just for the holidays but to be distributed throughout the year. The organization still supports Junior Livestock programs in the area. Feed the Hungry is using Big Day of Giving to offer two locations for supporters to meet and discover more about the organization from board members. "We aren't going to get a lot of donations for just being live," said founder Craig Hollyfield. "But at least we have the opportunity to visit with people and make connections. Relationships are the most important things in service organizations. Like-minded people who believe in service help each other." From noon-7 p.m. Thursday, Chairwoman Angela Atteberry and founder Michelle Fish will be at Crooked Lane Brewery. Increasing the opportunity to meet with the public, Hollyfield and Steve Holm will be at Old Town Pizza at the fairgrounds. Supporter Keith Nesbitt will spend time at both locations. "We thought we could enhance this day even more by being deployed somewhere in public," Hollyfield said. Bowman Education Foundation Bowman Education Foundation supports students of the Ackerman Charter School District, which only has one school: Bowman Charter. Since public funding does not provide all the resources needed to challenge and engage students, the Bowman Education Foundation works to bridge that gap. The organization is using Big Day of Giving as an opportunity to bring together its supporters and families. From 4-7 p.m., members of the foundation will gather at Crooked Lane Brewing. "We are emerging from the past two years of not having any community events," said Maren Whitson, foundation president. "We saw this as a great opportunity to gather together for the first time in two years." Whitson admits the event is "casual" and the foundation has been reaching out to members of their school community, including teachers and staff. "We're really excited to have the face time with people, regardless if they want to give," Whitson said. "We are creating the opportunity just to have some face time and talk about our cause together."