They hit a milestone on Monday.
The Good Neighbour Store in Humboldt handed out its yearly donations to local organizations and with that, went over the $1 million mark.
Between 1992 and 2010, the volunteer-run store has raised $1,108,611 for local charities.
"We have reached a milestone," said Sylvia Koski, treasurer of the Good Neighbour Store board of directors, just prior to releasing that figure during the disbursement ceremony on December 6.
"In the beginning we only had housewares," she added, "so we've done okay."
Koski credited the volunteers who work at the store, the people who donate items for sale, and those who purchase those items for the store being able to reach this milestone.
The Good Neighbour Store accepts donations of goods - clothing, furniture and a variety of other items - from individuals in the area, and sells them in their store to raise funds for charity. It was started by the Humboldt Ministerial Association, but is now a separate entity.
In total, in 2010, 31 groups and organizations received $150,000 in funding from the Good Neighbour Store for various programs and projects.
That's the same amount of funding they disbursed last year, noted Koski, although last year's ceremony included a gift of $18,000 for the new hospital in Humboldt - funds they had set aside for some time - which brought their total up to $168,000.
It's been a point of pride to the organization that every year, they have been able to increase the amount of money they've given back to the community.
"We feel we had an excellent year," Koski noted. "We also completed renovations to the store costing $54,00 in total."
At the end of the ceremony, the Good Neighbour Store board received a standing ovation from those present.
In 2010, the Good Neighbour Store funds went to the following organizations and projects:
The First Westminster Scouts will use their funds in their efforts to save their camp at Waldsea Lake, which was flooded this year.
The St. Benedict Quilting Club.
The Harmonic Visions Children's Choir will use their funds to pay for their director and other expenses for their inclusive choir for those with and without disabilities.
The Humboldt Emergency Relief Organization (HERO) will use the funding from the Good Neighbour Store to continue their work in helping people with the costs associated with out-of-town medical treatments.
The Humboldt and District Ministerial Association will use the funds to help the organization deal with calls they receive each week from people in need.
The Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) School Community Council (SCC) will use the funds for their hot lunch program, which they have offered to at-risk youth for the past four years.
The Humboldt and District Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HDSPCA) will put their donation from the store towards their building fund, as they are in need of a new facility.
The Humboldt Co-operative Pre-School will use the funds they were given for their craft program, or to fund tours within the community.
Humboldt Community Services will use their funds to help run the Summer Recreation and Respite program for children with barriers.
Safe Communities Humboldt and Area will use their donation to keep running the programs they offer to keep the community safe - projects like car seat safety clinics and farm safety day.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Humboldt will use the funds they were given to run their programs, which provide children with mentors.
Partners for Rural Family Support (PRFS) will use their donation to fund family violence projects, to help families experiencing violence to begin life free of violence and abuse.
Carlton Trail Teen Aid will use the funding they were given to keep their program going.
The Humboldt Co-operative Day Care will use their funds from the store to buy new playground equipment.
Evergreen Country Home in LeRoy will use their funds to maintain their building and do some upgrades.
St. Michael's Haven in Cudworth will put their monies towards the roof replacement on their facility that had to be done this year.
Aspen Manor at Bethany Pioneer Village in Middle Lake will use their funds for two projects - to purchase a rack for patient charts in order to ensure their privacy, and to buy a new stainless steel kitchen cart, replacing the present cart that dates from 1956.
Birch Manor at Bethany Pioneer Village will use their funding to install central vac in one of their wings.
Quill Plains Centennial Lodge in Watson will use their two cheques from the store to add to recreational activities for residents and expand and complete their Heritage Garden project.
The St. Mary's Villa Foundation in Humboldt will put their funds towards the purchase of a new bus - a project they hope to have complete in the next two years.
The Humboldt District Hospital Foundation.
The Muenster Seniors Club will use their money to improve the counters in their kitchen.
The Humboldt Senior Citizens will use their donation to purchase a new fridge for their kitchen.
The Waston Care-A-Van Society will use their funding to cover ongoing expenses associated with their van and garage.
The Humboldt Kinette Club will put their donation from the store towards their Christmas Cheer Program, which provides Christmas hampers for families in need.
The Humboldt Guardian Angels.
The Humboldt Food Bank will use their funds from the store to keep their program going as more people use their services.
The Pilger Regional Library.
The Bruno Wheatland Library.
The Reid-Thompson Public Library in Humboldt will use its donation to purchase books for the visually impaired and large format picture books.
The Muenster Library will use its funds from the store to purchase a moveable shelving system.
