Community Cares Month of Giving Returns With a Full September of Ways to Give Back

September is Community Cares Month of Giving, and throughout the entire month, Lebanon and Laclede County residents will have plenty of ways to get involved, support local nonprofits and show just how big our community’s heart can be.

The Lebanon Area Foundation’s Community Cares campaign is built around a simple idea: neighbors helping neighbors. Every dollar donated to Community Cares stays local, supporting nonprofit organizations serving people throughout Laclede County.

Last year, the campaign raised more than $50,000, and organizers are hoping to raise even more this September.

All Month Long: $1 Paper Hearts

One of the easiest ways to participate is also happening throughout the entire month.

Community Cares Paper Hearts will be available at participating businesses across Lebanon. For just $1, customers can purchase a heart, add their name or dedicate it to someone special, and the heart will be displayed at the business.

Every dollar raised through the Paper Heart campaign stays right here in the community.

Participating locations include businesses, restaurants, banks and organizations throughout Lebanon, including Applebee’s, Boat Town Brewing & The Galley, Café Jude’s, Commerce Bank, Elm Street Eatery, Hairy’s Salon & Spa, Heritage Bank of the Ozarks, Infuze Credit Union, KFC, Pizza Hut, The Gym 24/7 and many more.

Community Coloring Album

Kids and families can also participate throughout the month through the Community Cares Coloring Album.

Special coloring pages featuring the theme of neighbors helping neighbors will be available at the Lebanon-Laclede County Library and participating businesses.

Families can submit photos of completed coloring pages to the Lebanon Area Foundation to be featured in the Community Coloring Album on the foundation’s Facebook page.

School Penny Drives

Local schools are getting involved too, with penny drives taking place during the campaign.

Students will collect change to support Community Cares, with winning schools receiving trophies during the Day of Giving.

September 4: Community Cares Rocks

Community Cares Rocks will be held Friday, September 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lebanon Art Guild & Gallery, 227 W. Commercial Street, as part of First Friday Downtown Lebanon.

The free, family-friendly event gives participants a chance to paint rocks with messages of kindness, the name of a favorite nonprofit or their own colorful designs.

Rocks, paint and brushes will be provided, and the event is open to all ages.

Participants can take their rocks home or place them around local parks and neighborhoods for others to discover.

September 16: Dining to Donate at Applebee’s

Community Cares will team up with Applebee’s in Lebanon for Dining to Donate on Wednesday, September 16, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Guests who present the Community Cares flyer before paying will have 20% of their check donated to Community Cares.

The fundraiser will be held at Applebee’s, 380 S. Jefferson Avenue in Lebanon, and is available for dine-in and To Go pickup orders.

September 30: Community Cares Day of Giving

The entire month leads up to the Community Cares Day of Giving on Wednesday, September 30.

Community Cares will be “Taking It to the Streets,” with volunteers stationed at locations around Lebanon collecting donations in Community Cares buckets.

Headquarters for the day will be at the Kenneth E. Cowan Civic Center.

Lebanon Now will also broadcast live throughout the event, and online giving options will make it possible to participate even if you cannot make it out in person.

Whether it is buying a $1 Paper Heart, coloring a picture, participating in a school penny drive, painting a rock, eating at Applebee’s or dropping a donation into a bucket on September 30, there are opportunities all month long to be part of Community Cares.

And the most important part remains the same: every penny raised stays local, helping organizations that serve our friends, families and neighbors right here in Laclede County.

For more information:

Lebanon Area Foundationlafcares.org417-532-8868mfries@lafcares.org