By Keely Baribeau
The Big Give 2025 is officially a wrap—but its spirit, impact, and stories of generosity will continue to echo across St. Clair County for months to come. For 24 hours, donors from near and far came together to show just how much they care about this community and the causes they love. And the result? More than $625,000 raised in just one day for over 70 local nonprofits.
From the very first online donation—a split-second after midnight—to the final gifts submitted as the clock struck 12 that night, the day was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people give together. Whether it was a $2 cash gift or a $10,000 contribution, every donation mattered. Every act of generosity added up to something extraordinary.
“The Big Give was a huge success because of wonderful people—those who work for nonprofits, those who are served by them, and those who support them,” said Hale Walker, former Board Chair of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. “Thank you to everyone who made this day so meaningful!”
Donors participated from all across the country—from Alaska and California to Maryland and Florida—many of them giving back to their hometown, a place they’ll always call home no matter where they live now.
The Big Give highlighted the incredible range of nonprofits that make up St. Clair County’s vibrant charitable community. These organizations feed people (like SOS Food Pantry and Mid City Nutrition), serve children (Port Huron Old Newsboys), provide basic needs, offer mental health and counseling support, enrich the lives of seniors (Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home), preserve history (Port Huron Museums, Algonac-Clay Historical Society), protect the environment (Friends of the St. Clair River), and support education (Marysville Robotics, Port Huron Schools Endowment Fund).
Every organization had its own reason for participating, and each one brought heart to the event.
Take S.C.C.O.R.E. (St. Clair County Organizing for Regional Equity), for example. Bishop Kim Brown shared how their programs focus on awareness, advocacy, and education for marginalized communities. “We make the connection between people in need and those who want to help,” she explained. “Through our Write 2 Read program, we believe that everyone has a civil and human right to learn to read.” Since 2019, S.C.C.O.R.E. has helped many “find their voice.”
For others, The Big Give was about paying it forward. Sara Buck, once a camper at Camp Grace Bentley, is now a counselor. “I’m learning CPR, First Aid, and getting my swimmer’s certification—while doing what I’ve always wanted, working with people who have disabilities,” she said. “At Camp Grace Bentley, you create a lifetime of memories, share creativity, and most of all—have fun.”
Meanwhile, community volunteers like Chuck and Theresa Kukawka of Harsen’s Island St. Clair Flats Association shared how they’re working to raise $125,000 for new park facilities. Their all-volunteer group is enhancing public spaces to support growing events, like their beloved annual field day and a new slow roll bicycling event debuting this May.
In Yale, the newly launched Yale Education Foundation—held at the Community Foundation—set out to raise $5,000 to support local schools. The community responded with remarkable generosity, contributing a total of $22,930. “Our community’s overwhelmingly positive response and generosity blew us away,” said Superintendent Kurt Sutton.
Participating nonprofits and the public loved watching the leaderboards throughout the day as donations kept adding up. To see the final rankings and how much was raised by each organization check out the leaderboards on thebiggivescc.com
Beyond the donations, one of the most powerful outcomes of The Big Give was how it brought organizations together. Nonprofits discovered opportunities for collaboration, formed new partnerships, and strengthened the local nonprofit network—creating long-term benefits for the entire region.
From the creative and educational work of Make St. Clair to the local branches of national organizations like Habitat for Humanity, YMCA of the Blue Water Area, and The Salvation Army, each nonprofit found its moment to shine.
The Big Give is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of community, generosity, and shared purpose. It’s a reminder that when we come together—whether through giving, volunteering, or simply spreading the word—we can make a powerful difference.
To see photos, videos, and stories from this incredible day, visit thebiggivescc.com or the Community Foundation’s Facebook page. Discover the people, passion, and purpose behind St. Clair County’s nonprofit community—and be inspired to keep giving back.