news article
Matching funds for Africa 360 available on Giving Tuesday
November 18, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Through their own personal giving, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Cabinet of the Upper New York Conference have donated $15,000 to be used as matching funds to raise money for Africa 360 – the Upper New York Conference’s holistic plan for health and education initiatives in Africa – on Giving Tuesday. These matching funds will be used to match donations to Africa 360 on Dec. 1 (Giving Tuesday) up to $15,000.
“The Upper New York Conference is full of generous people who want to make a difference in the world,” said Cornerstone District Superintendent the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood. “The Cabinet believes Africa 360 is a way we can make a significant difference in the lives of the people of Africa. We wholeheartedly support Africa 360 and are excited about the people of Upper New York working together to reach our goal.”
Laurel O’Connor, Field Coordinator for Africa 360, will launch a new, district-level competition exclusively on Giving Tuesday to see which district raises the most money for Africa 360.
Those interested in donating to Africa 360 on Dec. 1 may do so by visiting the Conference website and clicking the “Donate” button or by calling the Conference office at (315) 424-7878.
To insure your donation gets credited towards your district’s Giving Tuesday total, please do one of the following:
- If you are donating online, after you input your credit card information, it will ask you to review your donation. On this page, there is a box that says “Add special instructions to the seller.” Insert your district’s name in this box.
- If you are calling in a donation during business hours, the Conference finance staff will ask for your district’s name. If you have any questions or want to verify your donation and district, email Africa360@unyumc.org.
“The Cabinet has been incredibly supportive of Africa 360, and this is an immense testament to that support. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 9:6, in that those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully,” O’Connor said. “On Giving Tuesday, each person’s $1 turns into $2. That kind of divine multiplication is what God is capable of when we all work together.”
*Editor's note: Giving Tuesday is another creative way to fund the remaining balance of the larger $2 million goal of Africa 360. It should not interfere or alter current plans to meet the Africa 360 challenge to raise $1,000 per church in Upper New York or other fundraising goals for Africa 360 at the local church.