Will your donation become a $5,000 holiday boost to a local family?

If you, your family or business is looking for an impactful way to help your neighbors this holiday season, we encourage you to support the “Holiday Hand Up” giving event hosted by Lend A Hand Up the first two weeks of December.

Gifts supporting “Holiday Hand Up” are spread out to provide financial help to many local families experiencing hardship due to medical challenges.

Families like the Rindes of Casselton. Stacie and Travis are the parents of three busy children: Kara (13), Caleb (5) and Collin (3). Stacie was initially diagnosed with breast cancer just over three years ago. Following treatment, she was in remission and able to return to her position with the US Postal service and to actively participate in family life. Unfortunately, in early July, Stacie learned that her cancer had returned, aggressively spreading to several internal organs. Lost wages coinciding with increased expenses quickly created financial hardship for the family. Friends, family and coworkers quickly stepped forward to rally help through a Lend A Hand Up online fundraiser and in-person benefit.

Dirk Kringen of Fargo is awaiting a kidney transplant. Due to his current medical condition and inability to maintain full-time employment, he is experiencing lost wages. Since he lives alone and depends on his income, his medical challenges have morphed into financial hardship as well. His coworkers are hosting an online Lend A Hand Up fundraiser to alleviate financial stress and uplift his spirits.

There are many other individuals who live and work among us who are suffering right now due to health issues. Since the pandemic has made it more challenging to host in-person events, Lend A Hand Up is hosting a December giving event that inspires and maximizes generosity through online, cash and check contributions.

During the “Holiday Hand Up” campaign held the first two weeks of December, donors may direct their gift to help a specific individual or family fundraiser. These gifts will be boosted 20%.

Gifts may also be directed to the “Holiday Hand Up” campaign to help all active family fundraisers through one tax-deductible gift. Gifts of $10 or more supporting “Holiday Hand Up” will be boosted 20% by Dakota Medical Foundation and other sponsors and be eligible for a drawing on Dec. 16. Winners of the drawing will be able to recommend which family fundraiser receives their additional holiday boost. Boosts will range from $1,000 to $5,000 and be distributed in time to provide some extra help over the holidays.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about giving options and families helped through the “Holiday Hand Up” campaign, go to lendahandup.org or call the program office at 701-356-2661.

WHAT: Lend A Hand Up’s “Holiday Hand Up” giving event WHEN: Dec. 1-15

WHY: To raise financial help for community members and their families experiencing a medical crisis.

DRAWING: When you make a gift to “Holiday Hand Up,” your name will be entered into a random drawing held on Dec. 16 . Winners will designate a Lend A Hand Up family fundraiser to receive their $1,000-5,000 holiday boost.

DONATION OPTIONS: Give online at lendahandup.org or by check payable to “LAHU Holiday Hand Up.” Drop off or mail to 4141 28th Ave. S, Fargo, ND, 58104 is a theatre arts teacher at Davies and mother of three. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma which will require many months of treatment.

↑ Anyiwei Maciek, single mother, passed away suddenly from Covid-19, leaving a 9-month-old daughter behind.

↑ The Garcia Family of Fargo is experiencing hardship due to 8-year old Bella’s recent tumor diagnosis requiring out-of-area care, while still paying for complications Rosalinda suffered following the emergency birth of their infant son.

← Two members of the Cossette family are battling health issues. Brandon (dad) required a liver transplant at an early age resulting in life-long complications. About the same time his health issues intensified with a recent diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, their infant son Huxon was born with a hole in his heart requiring cardiac surgery.

→ The Fargo Gateway Lions are rallying help for Danell Dougherty, a Fargo resident recently diagnosed with glioblastoma.

↑Jennifer Hyden received a liver transplant in September 2021 and travels frequently to Rochester, Minnesota, for follow-up care.

↑ Charlie Dame, a long-term BCBSND employee, is currently on leave as he receives aggressive treatment for a brain tumor.

↑

, the former owner of a beauty school in was in remission from treatment received in 2018 until recently when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer.

↑ Nancy Jensen , a young, single mother of three children, was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

→ Scott Sellers was thrown from a bull leaving him with paralysis in both legs, requiring rehabilitation in Colorado.