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U.S. Virgin Islands, January 9, 2024 — This year's Virtual Giving Tree Project, launched in October 2023 by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI), once again brightened the season of giving for nonprofit organizations throughout the territory. The project distributed $78,950 to 34 nonprofits to support holiday-related needs for children, youth, families and seniors.
"It is heartwarming to see the amazing amount of love and support that exists in our community, and we couldn't be more grateful," said CFVI President, Dee Baecher-Brown. "Now in its fourth year, CFVI's annual Virtual Giving Tree Project has provided nearly $300,000 in gifts to USVI nonprofits so that they might bring holiday joy to the communities they serve."
It started with one random holiday request in December 2020 amid the COVID pandemic and developed into the launch of CFVI’s first Virtual Giving Tree Project.
"Our thought was that CFVI could serve as a 'connector' to help donors who wanted to assist with our nonprofit community's holiday-related needs for children, youth, families and seniors," said Baecher-Brown.
To make things easy, CFVI provides an online form to ask USVI nonprofit organizations to submit specific needs and requests. Then, potential donors are contacted by CFVI via email, social media and personal outreach.
"Finally, donors are matched with requests, the checks are cut, and warm holiday wishes are extended to all," said Baecher-Brown, who also expressed CFVI's heartfelt thanks to all the individuals and organizations who generously donated to the Virtual Giving Tree program, bringing a little more joy to many in the community during the holiday season. "While donors may not always witness the direct impact they make, the letters of gratitude we receive affirm the tremendous difference their contributions bring," she said.
"One touching story shared with us is from an organization that distributed food boxes through the Virtual Giving Tree program. A recipient, with tears in her eyes, asked a team member, 'Can I give you a hug?' These moments are a testament to the significance of the Virtual Giving Tree as a lifeline during the holiday season for many. We want to express our deep appreciation to all our donors; your generosity makes this program possible," stated Baecher-Brown.
For a list of CFVI Virtual Giving Tree gift recipients and a brief description of how the funding supported them, please visit cfvi.co/2023VirtualGivingTreeRecipients.
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