The time is now: Give Local underway

The time is now: local nonprofits are hoping those who give from their hearts will do so now through tomorrow (April 25) at 7 p.m.

Why? The Connecticut Community Foundation's annual Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills Give Local campaign kicked off this morning (April 24) at 7 a.m.

A crowd of representatives from numerous participating nonprofit organizations in New Milford gathered in front of Roger Sherman Town Hall at 8:30 a.m. to unite as a team to lift one another up during this time, with the hope that the community will learn more about these groups and make a donation.

Mayor Pete Bass read a proclamation about the event, and local businessman Jeff Kilberg,, who spearheads Give Local, Give Where You Live, an initiative to unite and highlight all New Milford nonprofits, emphasized the importance of participants thinking about "we and us," rather than "me and I" during the campaign because together, everyone is stronger.

CCF Development Officer Mark Berardi told the crowd he is impressed with how New Milford comes together for the campaign.

Last year, Give Local raised a total of $2.46 million, with $146,080 going to New Milford nonprofits. In total, 1,113 people donated to New Milford nonprofits.

To make a donation, visit https://www.givelocalccf.org/ and conduct a search.

To learn more about Give Local, visit https://www.newmilfordnow.org/stories?story=Giving-is-what-makes-these-nonprofits-run

Deborah Rose/A crowd of representatives from New Milford nonprofits participating in the 2024 Connecticut Community Foundation's Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills forms before the official Give Local kickoff the morning of April 24.

Deborah Rose/New Milford Mayor Pete Bass welcomes those gathered to the official launch of the Give Local event, with New Milford nonprofits teaming up to uplift one another.

Deborah Rose/Connecticut Community Foundation Development Officer Mark Berardi addresses New Milford leaders and nonprofit representatives at the kick off of Give Local April 24. Local businessman Jeff Kilberg, back, who organizes participating New Milford nonprofits as part of a hyperlocal campaign, Give Local, Give Where You Live, listens in.

Deborah Rose/The steps of Roger Sherman Town Hall in New Milford were covered with representatives from local nonprofits.

Deborah Rose/Local businessman Jeff Kilberg welcomes thee community.

Deborah Rose/Nonprofit leaders listen as Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Reiling extends his greetings to all.

Deborah Rose/In front, New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, left, and Connecticut Community Foundation Development Officer Mark Berardi proudly stand in front of Roger Sherman Town Hall the morning of April 24 - the start of the CCF's Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills' online giving campaign - as nonprofit leaders look on from the steps of town hall.