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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday Message


Last year, I led a United Way effort to begin a community-wide giving event, ROC the Day. The goal was to engage all of Rochester in supporting philanthropy in the simplest way possible: going online, filling their “cart” with the nonprofits of their choice, and donating to support the work of these essential agencies.  What we knew was that in other cities, this approach had worked … very well.  Even though the average gift per person per agency was around $20 -- when all of these gifts were rolled up together, the collective impact on the community was amazing.  And, so was the first year of ROC the Day, which raised over $560K from over 6,000 donors for 700 local nonprofit service providers in just 24 hours!

Next week Wednesday, 12/12/12 for 24 hours from midnight to 11:59 pm, Rochester again has a chance to ROC the Day, and you have an opportunity to take three simple steps to make a big difference to our community: Choose, Give, Matter.  You choose the charities and nonprofits.  You give what you can.  You matter to those who need it the most.

All giving on 12/12/12 takes place through the ROC the Day site
, www.roctheday.org, or over the phone to 800-242-0238.  Payment is made via credit card or PayPal.

Search for your favorite organizations, then follow the three steps: Choose, Give, Matter.  Many groups -- including the MCC Foundation -- will again be offering matching or challenge grants to spur donations by doubling each dollar you give.  Also, every hour for the 24 hours of giving, one lucky donor will be randomly chosen and allowed to direct an additional $500 toward a charity of their choice.  And, if that’s not enough already, the organizations with the most unique donors during each two-hour period will get an extra $,1000!  (These bonus funds come from the generosity of ROC the Day sponsors.)

This is the season for charitable requests, but unfortunately, that’s because the need is so profound for too many in the Rochester area.   So, I hope you will spread the word about this chance to
ROC the Day -- talk it up with friends, post it on Facebook, Tweet it.  Together, we can make those 24 hours matter to our whole community!

What organization will you be ROC’ing the Day for on 12/12/12? Let me know on the
blog.

PS—Do you have a sweet tooth?  Savor a good cup of coffee each morning?  Or need a great gift idea?  If so, head over to the MCC Bookstore where sales of Lake Champlain chocolates and ROC the Day travel mugs will benefit the MCC Foundation’s ROC the Day efforts.

Anne M. Kress
President's Office
12/05/2012