The latest 24-Hour Giving Challenge appears to be another success for community foundations across the Pembina Valley. Totals from Saturday's marathon donation drive have been tallied.

"The purpose is to grow the community fund so that we have more money to give back to the community groups that apply for the general granting," says Myra Peters of the Winkler Community Foundation.

The Winnipeg Foundation challenged to all Manitoba community foundations to once again raise $10,000 within 24 hours. Upon reaching that goal, foundations received stretch funding dollars from The Winnipeg Foundation, the Province of Manitoba, and in some cases, other local businesses.

The Winkler Community Foundation raised a total of $48,726 on Saturday. The City of Winkler was one of ten organizations has stepped up to provide matching dollars for all funds donated to the Winkler Community Foundation. The city joined the Winnipeg Community Foundation, the Province of Manitoba, Access Credit Union, Triple E, Golden West Radio, Kroeker Farms, Protec Plumbing & Heating, Winkler Concrete and Southern Potato.

The Altona Community Foundation (ACF) raised a total of $35,130, surpassing the $31,775 donated during 2017's Giving Challenge. Foundation President Chris Sumner attributed the increase in donations to ongoing support from

Left ro right: Altona Community Foundation board members Ken Wiebe, Chris Sumner and Bill Penner. individuals and the business community including: Red River Mutual, Pioneer Meat, Access Credit Union - Altona & Gretna branches, Golden West Radio, Municipality of Rhineland, Elmer's Manufacturing, Pembina Valley Pharmacy and Keystone Kat.

"Any amount of money we can raise is definitely a benefit to the community. The larger a fund we can establish, the more grants we can give. The more grants we can give, the more community people we can support," said board member Bill Penner.

ACF will also receive an additional $2,000 from The Winnipeg Foundation and $2,000 from The Government of Manitoba in "stretch" dollars, maxing out the contribution from each which had committed to providing $1 in "stretch" dollars per $5 raised up to a $2,000 cap. Adding that $4,000 to the $35,130 given, and the ACF raised a total of $39,130 during the 24-Hour Giving Challenge.

Penner adds, the grants can help support a number of projects that the community would like to see happen, like non-for profits, community gardens, playgrounds, and sports clubs, to name a few.

"It's been a real privilege to have your support so we can support others . . . it's long-term investment. You're not supporting community today, but it's a lifetime thing."

$5,488 came in to the Plum Coulee Community Foundation, excluding online donations, which have yet to be tallied.

In Morden, more than $26,000 was raised for the Morden Area Foundation, though online donations are still being counted.

"The Winnipeg Foundation has been awesome to work with," MAF Executive Director Lynda Lambert says. "It's so nice to see how our community supports this... I love it."