BILLINGS- Nonprofit organizations came together to celebrate and raise money all across the country Thursday.
Locally, the Billings Community Foundation joined the cause, as it has for four years.
Yellowstone Valley Gives started with a Community Block Party on Broadway near Skypoint on Thursday morning.
The party was biggest around lunchtime, although the evening portion was canceled due to rain.
“We’re kicking off the day with 105 non-profits. Some of them are represented down here,” said Stephanie Bond, part of the Yellowstone Valley Gives steering committee. “Big opportunity to dance to some music, walk around. Learn about a nonprofit you might not know about in the community and maybe give a little bit of a donation.”
Those who donated $25 or more to a nonprofit received a Yellowstone Valley Gives t-shirt.
Bond said each year, the event becomes a larger part of the nonprofit organizations.
“We’ve had lots of people dancing today, lots of people cheering. and just lots of nonprofits getting used each other and knowing each other,” Bond said. “And being able to celebrate the wins that they’re having together. That’s huge as a nonprofit group. Sometimes a nonprofit gets a donation and then you don’t know who to celebrate with. And so down here, all together, they get to celebrate together.”
While the block party was canceled for the evening, Yellowstone Valley Gives had some indoor events.
Pints for Preservation at the Western Heritage Center, along with celebrations at Yellowstone Valley Brewing and Thirsty Street Brewing were on the schedule until 8 p.m.
More events scheduled for Friday are on the Yellowstone Valley Gives Facebook page.
