You, Northeast Michigan, raised, in just 24 hours on Giving Tuesday, a whopping $336,643 to support 62 Northeast Michigan charities.

The biggest share of that money — a significant $32,665 — went to the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, which received the Grant the Golden Goose statue from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan for raising the most money among participating nonprofits.

Rounding out the top five recipients of the region’s generosity were the Alpena Community College Foundation ($28,980 raised), Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan ($19,250), Second Chance Animal Shelter ($17,874), and the Northeast Michigan Women’s Giving Circle ($15,335), according to the Community Foundation.

Celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is a way for families to get back into the true spirit of the holidays after the crazy shopping of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.

And, boy, did you get into the spirit, Northeast Michigan.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars given in just 24 hours. That’s amazing, and your benevolence will make amazing things happen in our communities.

The winning Boys and Girls Club, for example, provides a safe place for kids to go after school and important programming to make those kids happy, healthy, and well-rounded.

We wish to say thank you to everyone who gave even $1 on Giving Tuesday. You have made a big difference in the lives of Northeast Michiganders, and we’re so grateful that you stepped up.

Thanks go also to the Community Foundation for overseeing the fundraising and supporting the nonprofits in their Giving Tuesday campaigns.

Congratulations go to the Boys and Girls Club for raking in the most dough.

Thank you, Northeast Michigan, for showing what a wonderfully generous community we live in.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)