The first-ever “Most Generous City” award for central Kansas goes to Olmitz.

The award was announced Thursday at the Great Bend Chamber Coffee, which was hosted by the Golden Belt Community Foundation to announce the results of the recent Giving Tuesday campaign. Executive Director Christy Tustin and staff also announced the top 10 organizations that received funds during the campaign. Groups will receive a proportional share of $14,000 in matching funds donated by past and present GBCF board members.

The Most Generous City was based on which community in Barton, Pawnee, Rush or Stafford County gave the most, per capita. That community will receive a “Most Generous City 2019” sign that can be put up at the city limits, and $2,500 for a community project.

Tustin said her staff ran some numbers prior to the event and it appeared that smaller cities would have an advantage in the contest to be named Most Generous City. Olmitz had a population of 119 as of July 1, and many of those people donated on Giving Tuesday, she said.

More than 450 gifts totaling $214,470.42 were donated during the Giving Tuesday campaign, which went on during the month of November and wrapped up on Dec. 6. That’s about $10,000 more than last year. With the matching funds and an additional $2,900 in giving incentives and drawings, the total impact was $231,370.42.

“This is our sixth year for Giving Tuesday,” Tustin said. The global Giving Tuesday, observed on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is in its seventh year. This year in the Golden Belt, 14 new organizations signed on to be part of the event, for a total of 90 organizations and endowed funds.

The organizations had the option of receiving money now for current projects or having the money added to their endowed funds. About half of the money was presented to recipients on Thursday. Representatives who came to pick up their checks also posed for a group photo. The Great Charity Giveback was held at the Prince of Peace Parish Center.

All In Award

Board members of organizations who promoted Giving Tuesday and asked for community support were also encouraged to give. Any group that had 100% participation from its board of directors was placed in a drawing for a $100 “All-in Award.” The winner of the drawing was Locust Grove Village in La Crosse.