Nonprofits come together to kick off 2024 Give Big Kern fundraising event
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — After a record-breaking amount of donations last year, the fundraising event known as Give Big Kern kicked off Tuesday in anticipation of reaching an even higher goal in 2024.
“Give Big Kern. Give Big Kern” chanted civil rights icon Dolores Huerta. It was obvious the spirit of giving was infectious throughout the room.
Dozens of Kern County nonprofits attended the event to raise awareness of their causes and what giving big can do. Including nonprofit Be Finally Free, that has a $25,000 match for the money the raise.
“That puts us ahead of the game to really start raising the funds,” Founder & President, Be Finally Free Debbie Ormonde said. “I’m excited about that last year we had a $15,000 and we got it increased to $25,000 so it’s exciting.”
Be Finally Free helps those impacted by addiction, crime, and incarceration overcome their circumstances. Founder Debbie Ormonde, said this kind of effort makes all the difference.
“We spend a lot of time in prisons, I spend a lot of time with women and it’s just amazing seeing their lives transform and we have to do it with funds so it’s amazing to raise it to keep doing what we do,” Ormonde said.
Last year, Give Big Kern raised a record-breaking $965,893 for 137 area nonprofits. The Dolores Huerta Foundation played a big role raising money to contribute to that. Executive Director Camila Chavez said the group’s goal this year is $400,000 but hopes to surpass that.
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“That’s a big, big goal, and so we’re hoping that we will partner with new individuals who have not yet partnered with us yet,” said Chavez.
Chavez said those new partners could be your neighbor, your friend, anyone in your community willing to help.
“So many people think that you have to be rich to give,” Chavez said. “This is about promoting the great work of organizations, the great work that’s happening here, and giving people the idea of how can I make a contribution that requires a little bit of a sacrifice. Maybe they don’t buy Starbucks every morning but actually give to a local organization that’s doing really good work.”
Give Big Kern’s official day of giving is on May 7, and you can donate now here.
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