HEBRON, NE — Giving Tuesday has become a nationwide event to donate to nonprofits working to improve their communities.

In southeast Nebraska’s Thayer County, Tuesday also marks the end of a two-week effort to raise funds for community groups as they bring Big Give to their county for the first time.

"We threw this together fairly quickly," Deshler Community Fund Member Kristi Zucker said. "It was about six months or less when we finally got the final idea and said 'Yep, let's go for it,' and we just really pushed."

Zucker is representing one of the groups at this year’s Thayer County Big Give. 

Tuesday, they held a lunch at the Stasny Community Center in Hebron to make one final push for donations.

While bringing in money is the goal, Zucker says just building awareness is also key to build the event into the future.

"Well I think we've done better than we expected," Zucker said. "We knew the first year, being a first annual, is really about getting the information out there and making sure people know what we are thinking of when we say Big Give."

Several community funds are represented this year along with churches, Thayer County Health Services Foundation and others.

All are trying to meet funding goals to complete projects to improve their small towns. The Big Give allows them to come together and collectively work toward their goals.

"Everyone in Thayer County has such a big heart," Zucker said. "We love the county and that's what this is about. As a county, that we are able to continue to grow and continue to build and to have a future."

Thayer County’s Big Give started November 15th. As of Tuesday afternoon, the groups have received nearly $44,000 from over 130 donors.

"We thank all the donors and all the people who helped us make this possible this year. It's been a great learning experience for us and we can't wait to see what the second one brings forward for us."

People can donate in-person at the Stasny Community Center until 6 p.m. Donations can also be made online at biggivethayercounty.org until midnight Tuesday.