Blog

In December 2022 CVIC partnered with Rydell of Grand Forks for its Angels on Wheels program to gift 12 vehicles to CVIC clients whose lives have been impacted by interpersonal violence. CVIC selected clients who had a lack of reliable transportation, effecting their ability to achieve independence and a sense of normalcy. CVIC selected clients based on their transportation, economic situation and family needs. Each client was gifted a vehicle valued at roughly $10,000 each, and carefully selected the vehicles based on each client’s family and personal transportation needs. Rydell also donated a gift card worth $500 to each recipient for future automotive service needs. CVIC is proud to partner with Rydell and Safe Kids of Grand Forks for this amazing program, and grateful for the impact this will have on our client’s lives. Learn More: CVIC and Safe Kids of Grand Forks

The Rydell Car & Bike Show returns for its 15th year at the Rydell Auto Group in Grand Forks! We're proud to put on the premier community auto show in Grand Forks that has raised over $800,000 for charity since its inception. The show is an opportunity for families and members of the community to show off their prized automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and yes, even tricycles. We welcome participants of all ages, all types of transportation, and we also welcome just about any donation for the charity auction. All proceeds raised at the 2021 Rydell Car and Bike Show Charity Event will go towards the Grand Forks Police Department IMPACT Academy. more From our "Family" at Rydell to Yours Image via Flickr by Nan Fry CC BY 2.0 The reason why we put on the car show is to give back to the community in the best way that we can: With a car show! This is one of the most popular annual events in Grand Forks, and our "family" of employees who work for Rydell prepare to make the show an unforgettable event every year. At Rydell, we appreciate the community of Grand Forks and the surrounding area. The community helps make us successful, and we want to give back in the form of an auto show that's open to all no matter how young or old they are. Each year, our employees vote on a local charity to be the beneficiary of our auto show in Grand Forks. The Rydell Group provides a matching benefit of up to $40,000 as well as paying for the cost of putting on the show. We never take money out of the donations for any reason, ever. The benefiting charity gets all of the funds that were raised by the event. 2021's Selected Charity: IMPACT Academy The police department of Grand Forks, North Dakota, has a summer program for middle school students known as the GFPD IMPACT Academy. IMPACT is an acronym for: Integrity Maturity Partnership Accountability Community Tenacity In 2019, Cpl. Jessica Thorlacius and Officer Jay Farmer created the program for middle school students to help them stay active and occupied during the summer months.  The focus of the program is to create future role models and leaders in the community through the building of skills that help kids become successful adults. Participants learn these skills by partaking in activities that include volunteering, bike riding, swimming, lessons in safety, and a trip to the Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids, Minnesota, at the end of the program. Cities Area Transit provides all students with a bus pass that they can use all summer. The program also has a selection of bicycles and helmets provided by Safe Kids for students who don't have one or the other. Students get a program-related shirt provided by Gemini Custom Brands to help complete their look. The program is open to all kids of middle-school age. Parents of interested students can connect with the program through their student's School Resource Officer, or contact Officer Farmer and Cpl. Thorlacius by phone or email. We Welcome All Participants and Vehicles At Rydell Auto Group, when we say we're here for the community, we mean it. The auto show isn't only for cars of all eras, it's also about motorcycles, SUVs, trucks, and even bicycles and tricycles. Bring your restomod, your true-to-the-original rebuild, monster trucks, and vehicles that shouldn't be running, but do. We encourage everyone to bring their favorite vehicle or bike to show it off and have a grand old time doing so. You're never too young or too old to participate with your transportation of choice at the Rydell Car Show. Bring Your Donations for the Charity Auction Do you have stuff hanging around the house, shed, garage, or barn that you don't want anymore? Does it still have use or value? Instead of throwing it away, bring it to our dealership for donation. We'll take anything that you don't want and put it in the auction to raise money for the IMPACT charity no matter what it is, how big or small, useful or not. All money raised from items sold in the auction goes directly to the charity. We are thankful and appreciative for what you bring to us for the auction. Make Sure to Register in Advance In order to guarantee your inclusion at the car show, you need to register your vehicle before the show in September. You can find our registration form on our website for printing out and submitting. Fill in the required information, let us know if you would like a car show t-shirt, and enclose a check for the registration fee of $40. Mail your check and completed registration form to the address on the form. If you would like to make an in-kind donation, please send the donation to the address listed on the form. Volunteers and Business Sponsorships are Welcome We encourage you to volunteer, and welcome support from local businesses. Our employees can use all the help they can get when it comes to running the events of the day! All volunteers are welcome. If you want to volunteer and have a skill or talent that can help us with portions of our event, please let us know, and we'll put you to work. Are you a local business who would like to help out with sponsorship? Get in touch with us at Rydell Auto Group to find out how you can help us raise money for charity. Local businesses who want to sponsor the event will get their logo on the event website and inclusion in our displays. We make it a point to recognize local businesses who want to help us help the community. We at Rydell Auto Group want to thank everyone who comes to help, gives a donation, volunteers, and supports our annual auto event in Grand Forks. We appreciate our community and the Rydell Car Show is our way of saying thanks to you.

UNPLUGGED - Virtual Concert Grand Forks musicians Lacey Schuler and Dave Berger will take over the entertainment stage at the Ralph Engelstad Arena this Giving Hearts Day. Join them by tuning in for this fun and uplifting 30-minute show. Consider giving to CVIC and provide hope, safety and healing to families. Gifts made during the performance will be matched by Rydell, up to $2,500. Schuler is well-known to UND hockey fans as the voice of the national anthem and Berger sings all your favorites as the lead vocalist and a maestro with the Downtown Horns. Don't miss them live and unplugged! UNPLUGGED EVENT Giving Hearts Day Giving Hearts Day is more than one day. It leads to a lifetime of Generosity. Individuals, businesses, and schools alike are called to share in the joy of giving. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the celebration, whether it be through your time, talents, or voice. With nearly 500 charities participating, there is an abundance of ways to help. We have the resources for you to maximize your efforts with the charity(ies) your heart chooses. Find your role in the wave of giving that is flooding the region. Give wholeheartedly this Giving Hearts Day. Giving Hearts Link

IMPACT Academy In 2019 Officer Jay Farmer and Cpl. Jessica Thorlacius created a summer program for Middle School students called the GFPD IMPACT Academy. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Partnership, Accountability, Community and Tenacity. Our goal is to help create leaders and role models in our community. We want our kids to build skills that help them to mature into successful adults. We plan to do this by helping our students to be active, contributing members of our community. By seeing the impact that they can make, in a positive way, it will help them be more responsible with their decisions. We keep busy with a variety of different activities throughout the summer, including bike riding, swimming, volunteering, gardening, safety lessons, and a concluding trip to the Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids, MN. The Grand Forks Park District generously provided free passes to Choice Health and Fitness, as well as the outdoor pools. They allow us to use the Blue Line Club Arena as our “Home Base” for the summer, which is where we start and end each day. Cities Area Transit also generously provides each student with a bus pass, which they use all summer. We spend a lot of time on bicycles, and have some that can be borrowed, if your child doesn’t have access to one. Safe Kids also be provides each student with a free helmet, and we conduct some initial safety lessons with all students at the program. We eat our lunches in the park each day, which are provided for free by St. Joseph’s Social Care. As a way to give back, students help to prepare and serve those lunches as well. We take a trip to the Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids, MN, which is paid for by the Fraternal Order of Police. Our Academy wouldn’t look complete without matching shirts, which are provided by Gemini Custom Brands. Our program was canceled in 2020, due to COVID-19. This has given us an opportunity to focus on making 2021 an amazing summer! We have also been selected as the recipients of the 2021 Rydell Car and Bike Show funds, which will help us to make sure the IMPACT Academy is better than ever! If you have a Middle School student that would be interested in participating in the IMPACT Academy, please have them speak with their School Resource Officer (SRO). You can also reach Officer Farmer and Cpl. Thorlacius by phone or email. Officer Jay Farmer jfarmer@grandforksgov.com 701-215-4413 Cpl. Jessica Thorlacius jthorlacius@grandforksgov.com 701-740-8079 Learn More: Grand Forks Impact Academy The Grand Forks Impact Academy - Moving Forward Rydell Cars is pleased to announce that Grand Forks Police Department IMPACT Academy will be this year’s recipient of the 15 th Annual Rydell Car and Bike Show Charity Event.  The Rydell Annual Charity Benefit Car & Bike Show is a time for the Rydell "family" to give back to the community they are proud to be part of. Each year, the Rydell employees vote on a local charity that will be the beneficiary of the charity event. 100% of all money donated at the show goes to the chosen charity including a Rydell company match of up to $40,000. No money is taken out to cover the expenses of the show. Since 2007 the Rydell Car and Bike Show Charity Event has raised $835,426.67 for local organizations. Update: For the health and safety of our team members, our customers and our community, we have decided to postpone the Rydell 15th Annual Benefit Car and Bike Show. We look forward to seeing you at our show next year on September 19, 2021. Subsequently, all vehicle registrations will automatically be applied and transferred to next year’s event dates. The Grand Forks Police Impact Academy will be next years benefactor. Thank you.

Founded in 2008, Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour event for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Each year, Giving Hearts Day provides a platform for charities to fund their missions through an ever-increasing community of donors, many of whom get to experience the joy of giving for the first time. The longest-running giving day in the country, Giving Hearts Day has helped participating charities raise more than $70 million since its founding. Giving Hearts Day is hosted by: Dakota Medical Foundation Foundation Impact Institute Alex Stern Family Foundation Our Charity of choice this year was, The Grand Forks Foundation Education and Alumni Network. Their main focus this year was the #SecureASeat program. Mission The Grand Forks Foundation for Education is excited to announce our "Secure A Seat" campaign. Help us ensure ALL students have a seat on the bus, a seat at the lunch table and a seat in the classroom! Our Story We know that education is a key factor in breaking the poverty cycle. We have wonderful educators, and we need to ensure ALL students have a seat in their classrooms. Changing lives means creating an opportunity for young people to access education that will move them from their current situation to a situation that they can dream and believe is possible. We cannot do this unless they are in school. Our young people will not disappoint us if we invest and believe in their capacity to live their lives to the fullest potential. Help us raise funds to help us ensure a seat on the bus, a seat at the lunch table and a seat in the classroom!! #SecureASeat Service Area Grand Forks, North Dakota Focus Area *Basic Needs *Education *Youth To Contribute here are the links below: Giving Hearts Day Secure A Seat

Hugo's CEO receives Henry Havig Award at annual Chamber of Commerce dinner Kristi Magnuson Nelson has won several national and state awards in recent years. Now, she can add one more to the list: The Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Henry Havig Award. The owner of a chain of grocery stores in North Dakota and Minnesota has been awarded the Greater Grand Forks business community’s most prestigious award. Kristi Magnuson Nelson, CEO and president of Hugo’s Family Marketplace, was named the 44th recipient of the Henry Havig Award for Community Service Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting and dinner. Past Henry Havig Award recipient Don Fisk and Chamber President and CEO Barry Wilfahrt presented the award to Nelson before a crowd of more than 500 people at the Alerus Center. Nelson led a Hugo’s expansion that now includes 10 stores located in Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, Crookston, Thief River Falls, Jamestown and Grafton. The 11th Hugo’s store is expected to open in the fall in downtown Grand Forks, at the same location her grandparents – Hugo and Dorthy Magnuson – opened their first grocery store in 1939. That store was called Pure Food Market; the downtown Hugo’s project is called Pure Development, a testament to that first store. In 2014, Nelson was awarded the National Grocers Association’s Spirit of America Award. In 2015 she received the North Dakota Grocer of the Year Award. In 2019, she was honored by the Minnesota Grocers Association with the group’s Outstanding Grocer Award. Nelson serves on the Prairie Harvest Foundation Board and the Altru Foundation Board. She has served on the Chamber Board of Directors twice and was the board’s chairwoman in 2017. She supports local children’s organizations, schools, the Community Violence Intervention Center, United Way, UND and local pet shelters. Nelson, a Grand Forks native, developed an affinity for business and customer service while bagging groceries in her youth. In 1998, she began working alongside her grandfather, Hugo, and father, Curt, in the operations area of the family business. Nelson took over day-to-day operations of Hugo’s Family Marketplace in 2007 after her father died following a battle with cancer. Named after the longtime businessman and community service advocate Henry Havig, the Award for Community Service was first presented in 1977. According to a news release, the award is considered the highest honor a person from the Greater Grand Forks area can receive for community service. Past recipients of the award determine who will be honored, through nominations from the community. We at Rydell are so Proud of being part of this community, were leaders like Kristi continue to give back and help make us a better place. Thank you to the Grand Forks Herald for this content. Henry Havig Award Winners: All-time winners, and the year for which they were awarded, are: Charles Goodman, 1977; Hugo Magnuson, 1978; Edward Lander, 1979; Thomas Clifford, 1980; Lawrence Bue, 1981; Harry Rice, 1982; Jean Kiesau, 1983; Clarence Sande, 1984; Edward Christenson, 1985; Don Miller, 1986; Ray Bostrom, 1987; Richard Fiala, 1988; Richard Wold, 1989; James Dalglish, 1990; Don Lindgren, 1991; Earl Strinden, 1992; Thomas McElroy Jr., 1993; John Marshall, 1994; Curt Magnuson, 1995; Patrick Dooley, 1996; James Gjerset, 1997; Ken Towers, 1998; Don Larsen, 1999; Walter Swingen, 2000; Hal Gershman, 2001; Robert Kerr, 2002; Marlan Helgeson, 2003; Bob Peabody, 2004; Greg Gerloff, 2005; Randy Newman, 2006; Dr. Robert Boyd, 2007; Dave McFarlane, 2008; Gordon Caldis and Gerry Joyce, 2009; Don Fisk, 2010; Wes Rydell, 2011; Judi Paukert, 2012; Henry Tweten, 2013; Jim Hansen, 2014; Duane Hafner, 2015; Marijo Shide, 2016; Lonnie Laffen, 2017; James R. Bradshaw, 2018; Kristi Magnuson Nelson, 2019.

Chevy Employee Discount For Everyone | Chevrolet The holiday season is here, and our Chevy employees have something special to share with you. Take advantage of the Chevy Employee Discount for Everyone today. The Chevy price you pay is what we pay, not a cent more. Visit www.chevroletemployeediscount.com for offer and vehicle eligibility. Not available with fleet sales and some other offers. Dealer fees are extra and will vary. At participating dealers. Take new retail delivery by 1/2/20. Enjoy great deals on our award-winning lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Like the Chevy Silverado, the strongest, most advanced Silverado ever. Explore every corner of your city in the versatile yet stylish Chevy Trax. And have everything you need, to do everything you want with the Chevy Equinox. Rydell Chevrolet

Rydell Big Indoor Event November 27th, 29th, 30th The Rydell Big Indoor Event is back! Shop in indoor comfort at both Grand Forks Rydell Locations, Rydell Honda Nissan and Rydell GM. Event begins on Wednesday, November 27th at 8 am and will also run on Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th!. We will have Hundreds of Pre-owned Vehicles to choose from, several under $2,000, some as low as $299! There will be Certified Pre-owned for GM, Honda and Nissan. We will also have many Rydell Nice Car Vehicles backed by the 7 day money back guarantee. Great Lease incentives and rebates available on the remaining 2019 New Vehicles as well as a Great Selection of 2020's. Stop on in this Wednesday, Friday or Saturday for the Rydell Big Indoor Event! View Inventory Here: Rydell Cars

Kelly Elementary Playground Rydell is excited to announce that we will be sponsoring Turkey Bingo Event on Thursday, November 21st from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, at the J Nelson Kelly Elementary School. Proceeds from this event will go to support construction of an ADA compliant playground located on the school premises. Which, will be a gathering place for the community, focusing on accessibility for all children. The J Nelson Kelly Elementary Park is a popular gathering place for children in the area. Much of the existing equipment at the park is over 30 years old, and is in constant need of repair. The current construction of the park is not accessible for all children, and is not ADA compliant. The rebuild of the park will create a safe, accessible gathering space on the South end of Grand Forks for everyone in the Grand Forks Community. The J Nelson Kelly Elementary Park is planned to begin construction in the Summer of 2020. For more information or to donate to this cause please visit https://donate.gffoundation.org/kellyplayground.

Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota A Diamond on the Prairie It’s impossible to describe the $104+ million Ralph Engelstad Arena in just a few words, but it is described by many as the “finest facility of its kind in the world.” The 400,000 square foot arena is nothing but first class. All concourse floors are granite, each seat is constructed of leather and cherry wood, and there are 48 full luxury suites, two mini suites, and two enormous club rooms featuring the longest freestanding bars in the state. The training facility features a 10,000 sq. ft. weight room and underwater treadmill, fourteen locker rooms, the extra Olympic Sheet of Ice, and with the addition of the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center for the basketball and volleyball programs, what you have is more than a world-class facility; you have the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The biggest attraction though, and the reason the arena was built, is University of North Dakota Hockey. In its inaugural season (2001-02) in the new Ralph Engelstad Arena, hockey attendance erupted into an all time high. All of the games in this 11,634 capacity hockey arena sold out in just 43 minutes after single game tickets went on sale for the inaugural season. Since opening its doors on October 5, 2001, the Ralph Engelstad Arena has played host to many big attractions, such as Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, the Minnesota Wild, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick and many other entertainers and professional sport teams. From December 25, 2004 – January 4, 2005, Ralph Engelstad Arena played host to the 2005 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. This tournament featured the best under-20 hockey players from around the world and put Grand Forks and Ralph Engelstad Arena at center stage in the hockey world for two weeks. It was the biggest event that this region had ever seen. Ralph Engelstad Arena played host to the NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey West Regional Championship March 24-25, 2006 where UND defeated Holy Cross to advance to the NCAA Frozen Four. Ralph Engelstad the Man No dream comes true until you wake up and go to work.” – Ralph Engelstad “The harder I work, the luckier I get” was Ralph Engelstad’s favorite saying and a secret to his success. His determination and dedication to quality work and goals followed him through life up until his death at the age of 72 on November 26, 2002. While Ralph is sadly missed by those whose lives he touched, his legacy lives on in the faces of the players, fans, and staff at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Ralph became a member of the UND hockey team in 1948 and played goalie for two years before leaving for California to play for the San Bernardino Shamrocks and work construction. Realizing the importance of an education, he returned to UND and earned a bachelors degree in commerce. Shortly after his graduation in 1954, Ralph married Betty Stocker of East Grand Forks. While still living in Grand Forks in the 1950s Ralph established Engelstad Construction. However, getting the $2,500 loan he needed to start the business was no easy task. Ralph was turned down by two banks before the late Al Holmquist, President of Valley Bank, finally made Ralph’s decision to begin his own construction company a reality. Years later, in appreciation of Mr. Holmquist’s support, Ralph gifted him with a new Cadillac. In the 1960s, Ralph expanded his horizons, he began constructing housing in Las Vegas, Nevada, and became the owner of the Thunderbird Private Airport. He later sold this property to the legendary Howard Hughes and fulfilled his vision of building an entirely new hotel and casino. The Imperial Palace, one of the largest privately owned hotels in the world, opened in 1979. Ralph Engelstad, thought by Earl Strinden to be “The most outstanding and successful entrepreneur to graduate from UND in its entire history,” continued to build his business empire with a second Imperial Palace hotel-casino in Biloxi, Mississippi and property ownership across the nation. Ralph Engelstad’s legends are endless. Ralph was known and appreciated by many of his friends for his direct, focused and no-nonsense approach to business. A key to his success was the reliability of his word and the integrity he insisted upon in others. Ralph’s competitiveness and desire to win as a Fighting Sioux goalie transcended into his professional success long after his playing days at UND were over. The late Ralph Engelstad and wife Betty are UND’s most generous benefactors. The Ralph Engelstad Arena, one of the finest hockey facilities in the world, is an arena that encompasses Ralph’s vision, loyalty, perseverance, determination, sense of appreciation and strength of character. For more Information: Ralph Engelstad Arena

WHEELS ARE ROLLIN' ON OUR LOCAL SKATEPARK The Skatepark Committee, along with the GF Parks & Rec Foundation, teamed up to raise the funds needed to update and relocate our local Skatepark to Kannowski Park. Through the generous pledged donations of our community, Phase 1 of a relocated, updated Skatepark opened in September 2018. Rydell Skatepark will provide skaters of all ages and their families a safe place to gather. We are currently working to complete the skatepark project by raising the funds needed to build Phase 2 of Rydell Skatepark. Help us make this a reality by getting involved in and donating to the Skatepark Project fundraising campaign. Naming opportunities for skatepark features are still available as well as places in the “Friends of the Park” and “Skater Friends” donation gift clubs. PHASE 2 BEGINS SPRING OF 2019! Construction on the second phase of the skatepark at Kannowski Park will break ground as soon as the weather permits. Bill Palmiscno, executive director of the Grand Forks Parks District, said phase two will be completed in August. Early estimates for the cost of this second phase are between $250,000 and $280,000. The district has secured $187,000 of that figure so far, Palmiscno said. "We are still fundraising. We are submitting two packages to the construction company, that way we can get one started and pitch another package in case we raise more money," Palmiscno said. Todd Bratrud, graphic designer and owner of the skateboard company Send Help, has been serving as a liaison between the city and skateboard community throughout this process. Bratrud said the group will book Los Angeles-based skatepark design and building company, Spohn Ranch, which built the first phase of the skate park project. Bratrud's hope is that the skatepark builders don't have to return to finish the project if funding isn't there. "The best case scenario is we raise it all now so it can all be spent on actual construction and not spent on future fees to split construction into the next year," Bratrud said. Palmiscno said the group is looking to raise between $50,000 and $75,000 more than they already have. When construction does start, Palmiscno said the first phase of the park will still be usable. "This will get the kids more room to skate," Palmiscno said. "We're getting great numbers showing up down there, and the weekends were just packed when it was warm." In the first phase, a "bowl" was built, which can be difficult for beginners, Palmiscno said. "This phase will be easier. It will be more for new skaters so they can gradually grow into using the bowl part," Palmiscno said. Rydell Car Dealership donated more than $100,000 for the first and second phases of the skatepark, Bratrud said. Ralph Engelstad Arena donated $100,000 to the park, and the park also received some federal Community Development funds from the city of Grand Forks, Palmiscno said. RELOCATED CONCRETE FEATURES Tri-Tiered Manual Pad Grind Ledge 10’ x 2’ x 1’10”H HSS Grind Rail NEW FEATURES 3’0’’ H Bank Ramp 2‘6’’ Quarter Pipe Radius Bowl Wall with Galvanized Steel Pipe Coping Waterfall Drain Table Top Pool Coping Quarter Pipe, Variable Heights Spine 2‘5’’ Quarter Pipe 5’6’’ Cantilevered Radius Wedge Extension Stairs Single Kinked Grind Rail 2’6’’ Cantilevered Quarter Pipe 2’6’’ Volcano Transition 2’0” Bank to Bank Grind Ledges, Variable Heights 1’8” Double Raked Manual Pad People and Business who have helped along the way! Brian Rydell and Bob Rydell Tony Hawk Foundation Spohn Ranch City of Grand Forks Grand Forks Parks Engelstad Foundation Wells Concrete Wes Skateparks Ae2s Brian and Glen Pasch David Kain Todd Bratrud Drive Dentric Rad Rides and many more.... To donate to the skatepark, go to the Grand Forks Park District website, www.gfparks.org or call the parks office at (701) 746-2750.

Giving Hearts Day is the largest 24-hour giving event in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Each year, thousands of people rally around hundreds of nonprofits in our community saying, "count me" as a Giving Heart for charity. Giving Hearts Day is sponsored by Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF), Impact Institute, and the Alex Stern Family Foundation. Formed in the 1960s by a group of pioneering physicians and community leaders, DMF laid the foundation for the building of Dakota Hospital, which was eventually sold in 1994. For more than two decades, DMF has used the investment returns from that sale to invest more than $100 million in health initiatives that increase the impact of more than 400 regional nonprofits. ​Each year, Giving Hearts Day creates a platform for charities to fund their missions through an ever-increasing community of givers. ​ Top 5 Facts about Giving Hearts Day *2019 is our 12th year *Last year, more than 28,000 people donated $13.1 million on Giving Hearts Day *More than 450 nonprofits and charitable funds are part of Giving Hearts Day this year – making this our largest group EVER! *100% of the donations made on Giving Hearts Day go directly to the charities *Since 2008, tens of thousands of generous donors have given almost $55 million on Giving Hearts Day ​ Other Cool Things about Giving Hearts Day *We’ve done the research – Giving Hearts Day is the first and longest-running giving day in the United States! *Giving Hearts Day runs a full 24 hours on February 14, 2019 *You can give from anywhere on the planet – but just on that day *The minimum contribution is $10 *You can donate to as many charities as you wish – the average donor gave to 2.3 charities last year About Dakota Medical Foundation Dakota Medical Foundation was founded from the sale of Dakota Hospital Funded by investments. Since 1996, Dakota Medical Foundation has helped people in our region lead their healthiest lives possible by investing nearly $100 million in charitable programs and organizations. We create and implement resources for the transformational individuals, charities, and businesses we serve so that they can thrive and impact quality of life in the region. The culmination of our focus is Giving Hearts Day, the region’s single-largest day of giving. Through Giving Hearts Day, regional charities have raised more than $55 million. About Impact Foundation Impact Foundation teaches nonprofits how to master fundraising. We also host online donations for charities and the area's largest database of volunteer opportunities. About Alex Stern Family Foundation The Alex Stern Family Foundation supports the arts, social welfare/human services, education, youth recreation, civic projects and health issues for the benefit of the greater Fargo-Moorhead area.​ To Learn More: Giving Hearts Day