Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES— On May 9, seven non-profits in Phelps County will be participating in Give Meramec, a one-day, online fundraising event for agency partners of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Using the power of the Cause Momentum crowd-funding website, nonprofits from Meramec Region will have the chance to raise funds, compete for matches and prizes and be a part of a one-day, 24-hour period of giving across the state. Give Meramec is from midnight to midnight on May 9.

One of those Phelps County non-profits is the Ozark Actors Theatre.

Ozark Actors Theatre (OAT), located in Rolla and owner of the Cedar Street Playhouse, is one of only three professional summer stock theatres in out-state Missouri. For Give Meramec, OAT is continuing its “Historical Preservation and Operation of OAT” campaign to raise funds to tuck point and seal the exterior of the playhouse as well as upgrade seats for the theatre. The Cedar Street Playhouse, a beautiful converted historic church in downtown Rolla, is in use year round by OAT as well as Fine Linen Theatre, Stop Making Sense Improv and other area groups for a variety of events, full scale theatrical productions, meetings and weddings.

Making a secure donation is simple. On May 9, donors can log onto givemeramec.giveozarks.org and search for these local nonprofits to complete a basic credit-card donation. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS.

Over the past two years, the region-wide online giving day, known as Give Ozarks, has raised more than $2 million for more than 150 nonprofits across the region. Thousands of donors made online gifts ranging from $5 to $10,000 to support nonprofits.

In addition to the online donations, OAT will having live entertainment, wine tasting and refreshments at the Cedar Street Playhouse, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 9 to celebrate Give Meramec day. The event will include several Phelps County non-profits. Electronic giving stations will be available, and donations of cash and checks will be accepted. The free event will offer family friendly entertainment including music, dance, improv and more.

Give Meramec nonprofits will be eligible for a number of prizes, based on the funds raised and number of supporters who make online donations on May 9. OAT will be targeting the Conoco Companies Night Owl prize, which awards the group with the most unique individual donors between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. with $2,000.

Other organizations participating in Give Meramec include ABLE Senior Center, Assistance Association of Missouri Veterans Cemetery, CASA of South Central Missouri, The Community Partnership in Rolla, The Kaleidoscope Discovery Center, Missouri Rock Island Trail, Pulaski County Route 66 Preservation, Riverways Pregnancy Resource Center, Rolla Nutrition Site, S.A.V.E. New Rolla Animal Shelter and Washington County Community Partnership.

For more information about the organizations participating or how to donate, please visit givemeramec.giveozarks.org or call Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Maria Bancroft at 573-265-2993.

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF), chaired by Vicki Nelson, a Belle banker, is promoting Give Meramec. MRCF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, which is hosting Give Ozarks, the larger day of giving which was localized to Give Meramec for the MRCF region. The event is sponsored by presenting sponsor BKD Wealth Advisors and platinum sponsors, The Commerce Trust Co./Coover Charitable Foundation, Edward Jones, the Musgrave Foundation and Ron and Janice Penney. The CFO is a regional public charitable foundation, founded in 1973, which includes 49 affiliate foundations and about 600 nonprofit partners and schools.

MRPC started MRCF in 2011 and provides the day-to-day operation. Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 25, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.orgor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.