November is here, and with that comes a season of thankfulness and giving.

Freeborn County and the surrounding area have many worthwhile causes to support, and what better time to support those efforts than when your donation could earn your cause extra money?

Early giving began Friday for Minnesota’s giving holiday known as Give to the Max Day, which takes place Nov. 14.

The first-ever Give to the Max Day began in 2009 as a means to ignite generosity and grow giving through an online giving platform on GiveMN.org. The first year, Minnesotans donated more than $14 million in 24 hours to nonprofits and schools throughout the state, according to the organization. Last year, more than 70,000 people gave $21 million to 5,500 nonprofits and schools across the state.

The organizations to receive the top donations in 2018 in the area were the Freeborn County Humane Society in Freeborn County, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation in Steele County and the Riverland Community College Foundation in Mower County.

In addition to these worthy causes, we encourage you to check out GiveMN.org and search for some of the other local organizations that you might be familiar with. There’s everything from the Education Foundation of Albert Lea, to the Freeborn County Historical Museum, the Albert Lea Art Center, the Albert Lea Family Y, Youth for Christ, The Children’s Center and the United Way of Freeborn County, among many others. There are also several schools and churches.

Searching for “Albert Lea” or “Freeborn County” in the search bar at the top of the home page will bring up a list of all the organizations and causes locally.

If you want to donate before Nov. 14 because you have a busy schedule or are afraid you will forget to do so, donors can give in the next two weeks. Organizations can still be eligible for monetary prizes given out that day.

Help boost up our local nonprofits.