Two St. Cloud-Area Nonprofits Win $2,500 Grants in Old National Bank Charity Campaign

(KNSI) – Two St. Cloud-area nonprofits are getting a financial boost after community members rallied behind them in Old National Bank’s annual Choose Your Charity campaign.

The Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center in St. Cloud and WACOSA in Waite Park each received $2,500 grants as winners in their communities. They were among 97 nonprofits across Minnesota, North Dakota and Western Wisconsin selected through the two-week voting drive, which drew more than 107,000 votes and distributed over $265,000 in total.

The Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center, known as CMSAC, has been providing 24-hour crisis intervention to survivors of sexual violence since 1980. Headquartered at 15 Riverside Drive Northeast in St. Cloud, the agency serves Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Wright counties. It offers a free crisis line, one-to-one support counseling, hospital and court advocacy, human trafficking services and help obtaining orders for protection. All services are free and confidential.

WACOSA, founded in 1963 by a group of parents seeking opportunities for their children, has grown into one of the area’s largest providers of services for adults with disabilities. The nonprofit serves more than 625 clients across locations in Waite Park, St. Cloud and Sauk Centre, with programs focused on employment, vocational training, life enrichment and community engagement. Its main office is at 310 Sundial Drive in Waite Park.

Old National Bank’s Twin Cities Co-Market President Julie McDonough said the program is a way for the bank to partner with communities and recognize charities providing essential local services.

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