FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nearly 150 nonprofit agencies will participate in Give Ozarks, Community Foundation of the Ozarks' 24-hour online giving day Tuesday, May 3. The City of Springfield is participating in Give Ozarks to fundraise for the planned Route 66 Plaza Clock Tower as part of the Route 66 Plaza streetscape project at College Street and Broadway Avenue along Historic Route 66, which the City will break ground for this summer to kick of the sixth annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Aug. 12-14. The estimated cost for the Route 66 Plaza Clock Tower is about $55,000. In addition to the 24 hours of fund raising, Nathan P. Murphy's in downtown Springfield will host an evening of jazz, blues and classic rock to benefit the project. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the lineup includes local blues performer King Clarentz, Brenda Meyer Band, Roots 66 and street performer O'Neal. The cover charge is $10 for those 21 and over, and $14 for those under 21. Saturday, April 30 marked the 90th anniversary of the telegram sent from Springfield proposing U.S. 66 as the name for the new Chicago-to-L.A. highway, which is why Springfield is officially recognized as the birthplace of the iconic "Mother Road." Route 66 meandered across Springfield from Kearney to Glenstone to St. Louis Street, through Park Central Square to Olive and College streets, then headed west along what is now Chestnut Expressway. Springfield is currently redeveloping the College Street portion of Route 66 through Springfield. While the City is implementing certain infrastructure improvements along the College Street stretch of Historic Route 66 between Grant Avenue and Kansas Expressway, it must leverage its investment in the project with private donations and other sources of funding. A larger plan to revitalize Historic Route 66 through other parts of Springfield could roll out in phases, as the City gauges interest and potential funding. The City broke ground May 22, 2014 for the Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park near the intersection of College Street and Fort Avenue. "We hope to make Springfield THE stop along the famed, historic byway," says City Manager Greg Burris. About Give Ozarks
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and BKD Wealth Advisors are presenting this region-wide effort to raise awareness of philanthropy, encourage online donations to participating nonprofits and offer prizes and matching funds. These nonprofit agencies will work to raise online donations from midnight to midnight on May 3 at giveozarks.org for a variety of needs that will improve services and opportunities for Ozarks residents. This is the second year for Give Ozarks; in 2015, the first region-wide online giving day raised more than $1 million for about 150 nonprofit agencies. Making a secure donation is simple. From midnight to midnight on May 3, donors can log onto giveozarks.org and search for a specific nonprofit or a cause they support to complete a basic credit-card donation. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS. “Although philanthropy and charitable giving know no season, we are very excited for the opportunity to focus on a day to emphasize giving,” CFO President Brian Fogle said. “The dollar benefits might accrue only for a day, but the possibility of new awareness of our non-profits, a new understanding of the good things they do, and an appreciation of charitable support should grow throughout the year.” Community Foundation of the Ozarks is hosting Give Ozarks with presenting sponsor BKD Wealth Advisors and platinum sponsors The Musgrave Foundation, The Commerce Trust Co./Coover Charitable Foundation and Ron and Janice Penney. Founded in 1973, CFO has grown to include 45 affiliate community foundations and more than 2,700 charitable funds. ### For more information about Give Ozarks, please contact Louise Knauer at 417-864-6199 or [email protected]; or Matt Lemmon, 417-864-6199 or [email protected] For more information about the Route 66 Plaza Clock Tower project, please contact Cora Scott Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement for the City of Springfield, 417-864-1009 (office) | 417-380-3352 (cell), [email protected]