Give Hastings Day supporters ring the gong as donation total rises

Click here to donate and check the Give Hastings Day leaderboard

HASTINGS, Neb. — For Hastings area nonprofits, there’s no sound sweeter than the ringing of a gong.

That means Give Hastings Day just reached another $25,000 milestone.

“It has become so much fun," Hastings Community Foundation Executive Director Dan Peters said. "Throughout the day it’s great to see families and it’s great to see supporters all kind of rush up to the gong. ‘Hey it’s almost time. It’s my turn, I want to do it.’ And those are the grown ups doing that!”

The gong lent out by the Hastings Symphony Orchestra is seeing a lot of action. It’s all part of the 24-hour day of giving organized by the Hastings Community Foundation and executive director Dan Peters. People are encouraged to donate to their favorite local nonprofits or choose to divide their donation among all 108 participating charities.

“These aren’t dollars going out to national organizations, these are dollars being spent on your friends and neighbors, your next door neighbor, right here in Hastings and throughout Adams County,” Peters said.

It’s the 10th year for Give Hastings Day, which has brought in more than $4.5 million since its inception. To honor the milestone, organizers are pushing participation in a community mural. The Hastings Community Foundation is also giving out a $10,000 endowment prize to a lucky nonprofit.

The money is hugely helpful, but Peters says the day is about more than that.

“One, to celebrate all the good work done by our nonprofit community all year long," Peters said. "Two, to celebrate the generosity of our community. Regardless of what the total number is at the end of the day, those two things are what’s really important.”

And people know what sound kicks off the celebration.