We recently finished up another successful Giving Hearts Day, and each year I marvel at the sense of community, camaraderie and pride that this event produces, not just for Unity Medical Center but for all of the Red River Valley. 

There are 17 nonprofit organizations in northeastern North Dakota who participate, ranging geo- graphically from two groups in Langdon and Frost Fire Park near Walhalla down to Nel- son County Health System in McVille, then back up to Walsh and Pembina counties. There are five nonprofits in Grafton alone, two in Cavalier and one in Park River. We all meet monthly year-round, but leading up to Giving Hearts Day, we share a marketing budget and work to get the word out about all of our charities and the good works we do. 

This year, our joint marketing came in the forms of radio, Google and Facebook advertising, as well as coffee sleeve stickers and grocery bag stuffers. This was in addition to the TV and other advertising led by Dakota Medical Foundation based in Fargo. 

One might say we nonprofits all compete for resources, and to some extent that is true. But we are also quick to share resources and ideas with each other, and cheer each other along. The truth is, we are all doing wonderful work in our communities, and I appreciate that we support each other in that work. As the saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all boats.”