Generous donors gave $1,995 to Oakland Family Services’ 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign to support the agency’s prevention, education and treatment programs.

To celebrate the agency’s 100th year of building brighter futures, donors were invited to give in honor of someone who built a brighter future for them. Donors could also share a name, photo or comment about the person they were recognizing. Spots on our GivingGrid filled up with inspiring pictures and messages about people who have had a positive impact on the lives of others.

You can scroll through our GivingGrid below (click here to view on a mobile device) to see who was honored!

Giving Tuesday is an annual day of giving that follows Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, Giving Tuesday took place on Nov. 30.

Oakland Family Services’ original goal was to raise $5,000 on Giving Tuesday. However, the agency stopped promoting the campaign midday following the shooting at Oxford High School in order to refocus efforts on providing crisis care and support to Oxford students, families and staff and the surrounding communities.

“This year for Giving Tuesday, we wanted to focus on those people throughout our community who are building brighter futures for their families and friends,” said Director of Development Kristin Benton. “Though we chose to stop the campaign short of our $5,000 goal, it was inspiring to see people honoring important people in their lives on our GivingGrid. We truly appreciate every dollar donated to help support our programs and are thankful for all of you for building brighter futures with us and for each other.”

Oakland Family Services would like to extend extra special thank yous to the Pero family, who purchased the largest square on our GivingGrid in honor of Oakland Family Services and Lighthouse, and to Francie and Walter Oehrlein, who gave above and beyond in memory of their son, Kirk Vincent Oehrlein.

Missed Giving Tuesday but still want to support Oakland Family Services? You can support the agency year-round at oaklandfamilyservices.org/buildbrighterfutures.