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The Paynesville Area Charity Fund - now in its 12th 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.

Letters to area residents were sent by the charity fund board in early October. The fund drive runs until the end of December, with funds distributed to charities in March.

Last year, the fund drive collected $39,062, including nearly $27,000 for local organizations and $12,000 for state and national charities.

Twenty local charitable organizations and 13 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.

The lone new local charity listed in the fund drive this year is the Paynesville Area Health Care Foundation, a foundation benefitting the Paynesvillea Area Health Care System. This foundation was formed in January 2002. One of their goals is to fund the construction of a chapel at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

Other local charitable organizations listed in the fund drive are: Boy Scouts; 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 Hospital Auxiliary; Paynesville Area La Leche League; Paynesville Area Special Olympics; Paynesville Branch of Rice Hospice; Paynesville Community Service Center; Paynesville Historical Society; Paynesville Youth Athletic Association (hockey); R.O.S.E. Center; and Student Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Paynesville Area Marching Band, which last performed in 2001, was dropped from the local charity list this year. The $2,300 given towards the band in recent years through the charity fund were used to offer band lessons this summer.

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, Phyllis Gardner, Armon Kaehler, Cecil Louis, LuAnn Loxtercamp, Bev Mueller, Faye Paster, Jim Paster, Dan Severance, Joe Spaulding, Clarice Stumo, Dave Stumo, and Jay Thompson.