Photo by Crystal Nelson Alpena County Animal Shelter Treasurer Leanne Bloom, President Keli Werda, and Vice President Lauren Kadrich stand next to Grant the Golden Goose on Friday at the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan. The nonprofit earned $18,328 of the $217,251 donated through the Community Foundation on Giving Tuesday, and earned Grant as the top recipient.

ALPENA — Giving Tuesday was a huge success in Northeast Michigan, as more than $217,000 in donations were collected by the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan and will be distributed to 60 nonprofit organizations.

The nonprofit receiving the most donations was the volunteer group Alpena County Animal Shelter, which is in the process of opening a new shelter on M-32 near the Days Inn hotel. The group raked in $18,328.

The totals were announced at a gathering at the foundation on Friday. Community Foundation Executive Director Patrick Heraghty said that, as always, area residents rose up to support the organizations and their missions. He described the atmosphere and reaction from the crowd as the dollar totals were announced.

“When the 2019 giving totals were announced today at our office, the room radiated positive energy and excitement,” said Heraghty. “It is incredible to see the generosity of our communities in this way, and it is so impactful for the organizations receiving donations.

“Every donation received on behalf of these great organizations this week is a success story of generosity and caring in northeast Michigan,” he added. “Seeing people show up in such a huge way to support the nonprofits doing incredible work in Northeast Michigan is something each person who gave should take pride in knowing they’ve made a difference in their community.”

Leanne Bloom, treasurer of Alpena County Animal Shelter, said at Friday’s event the goal was to finish in the top 10, but, as the list of biggest recipients neared the top spot without her organization being named, she began to wonder if that happened.

Bloom said the organization is made up of a small group of volunteers, all of whom are blown away by ending with the most money donated. As is tradition in Northeast Michigan, her group was presented with Grant the Golden Goose for being the biggest recipient.

“We are amazed,” she said. “Absolutely amazed at the generosity of the community. To come in first when you have these other amazing groups is just amazing. We hoped to be in the top 10, but then we didn’t hear our name and then figured maybe we would be top five. Then, as we got to the top three, we thought maybe we missed our name being called. I’m still kind of in shock.”

Bloom said the money will be deposited into the group’s building fund and will be used toward some of the interior improvements that are needed before the shelter can open.

The Alpena Boys and Girls Club finished second, with $16,686 and Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Michigan third, with $16,155. Friends of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary was fourth, with $15,392, and Friends Together fifth, with $14,876.

News staff writer Crystal Nelson contributed to this story. Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.

Giving Tuesday’s top 10 donation recipients

1.) Alpena County Animal Shelter: $18,828

2.) The Alpena Boys and Girls Club: $16,686

3.) Habitat for Humanity: $16,155

4.) Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: $15,392

5.) Friends Together: $14,876

6.) Huron Humane Society: $13,700

7.) NE Michigan Women’s Giving Circle: $10,098

8.) Hope Shores Alliance: $9,164

9.) Art in the Loft: $8,380

10.) Sunrise Mission: $7,706