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Residents of the city of Paynesville, Paynesville Township, and Union Grove Township should be receiving the mailing this week. The Paynesville Area Charity Fund - now in its 14th year, having started in 1993 - aims to give residents one-stop shopping when it comes to charitable giving. Donors can pick either local or national charities for their donations while the single fund drive saves expenses and reduces follow-up solicitations. The only costs to the fund drive are printing and mailing.

The fund drive runs until the end of December, with funds distributed to charities in March.

Last year, the fund drive collected exactly $44,000, including nearly $31,200 for local organizations and $12,800 for state and national charities.

Twenty-two local charitable organizations and 14 state or national organizations are listed on the letter. Donors can specify an amount for each charity of their choice on the letter and return it to: Paynesville Area Charity Fund; P.O. Box 112; Paynesville, MN 56362.

Three new local charities are listed this year: the Chain of Lakes Soccer Club; Paynesville Habitat for Humanity; and the Town and Country Days Parade Fund.

The Chain of Lakes Soccer Club is comprised by students from Eden Valley-Watkins, Paynesville, and Rocori. They are in their second season of club play against varsity and junior varsity teams this fall.

Paynesville Habitat for Humanity is trying to raise $75,000 and secure a buildable lot in order to erect the first Habitat for Humanity house in western Stearns County.

The parade fund benefits the annual parade during Town and Country Days each summer.

Other local charitable organizations listed in the fund drive are: Boy Scouts; Community Service Center in Paynesville; Consortium for Creative Arts; Crow River Trail Guards; Friends of the Paynesville Public Library; Girl Scouts; Keep the Quality Education Foundation; Lake Koronis Recreational Trail; Meals on Wheels Delivery Fund; Paynesville Area Center; Paynesville Area Dollars for Scholars; Paynesville Area Health Care Foundation; Paynesville Area La Leche League; Paynesville Area Special Olympics; Paynesville Branch of Rice Hospice; Paynesville Historical Society; Paynesville Youth Athletic Association (hockey); R.O.S.E. Center; and Student Memorial Scholarship Fund.

All donations are tax deductible. Donors should keep their cancelled checks for tax purposes. Receipts will be sent to donors who make contributions over $250.

The volunteer board of directors for the Paynesville Area Charity Fund this year are: Rosie Beier, Kella Bugbee, Phyllis Gardner, Cecil Louis, LuAnn Loxtercamp, Kay McDaniel, Evelyn Moore, Faye Paster, Jim Paster, Clarice Stumo, Dave Stumo, Becky Thompson, and Kathy Ziegler.