SHELBY — When the Shelby community comes together, real needs are met—and the 2025 Giving Tuesday campaign was a clear example.
During last year’s Giving Tuesday season, community members donated toward three simple but meaningful needs: care packages for seniors, warm coats and footwear for children, and food boxes for local families.
Each donation was matched by charitable funds held at The Shelby Foundation, helping every gift go twice as far.
This matching opportunity works because of everyday generosity. Neighbors gave what they could, family funds stepped in to match those gifts, and together the community turned shared giving into real support for real people—right here in Shelby.
In total, $13,500 was invested back into the Shelby community to help meet immediate needs.
Here’s what that support looked like in 2025:
Care Packages
24 community donations were matched, resulting in 48 care packages for seniors served by the Shelby Community and Senior Center . Matching support was provided by the Dan and Lois Robertson Fund and The Shelby Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund.
Coats, Shoes, and Boots
37 community donations were matched, resulting in 74 winter items distributed through Shelby Help Line Ministries . Matching support came from the Women’s Fund and The Shelby Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund.
Food Boxes
19 community donations were matched, resulting in 38 food boxes provided by FISH of Shelby . Matching support was made possible by the Todd and Lorna Albert Donor Advised Fund and The Shelby Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund.
Director of the Shelby Community and Senior Center Pam Awwiller shared, “If we didn’t have the ongoing support of our community in this special way, many of them wouldn’t feel that continued connection that they once enjoyed when they were able to come here independently. From my perspective, it is invaluable support that comes at the perfect time (mid-winter) each year!”
Giving Tuesday continues to show that when a community pulls together—through individual donations, family funds, and shared resources—everyone benefits.
To learn more about The Shelby Foundation and how community giving supports local needs, visit www.theshelbyfoundation.org .