Minnesotans broke a record in philanthropy Thursday, donating more than $18 million to their favorite schools and charities across the state during a 24-hour giving marathon known as Give to the Max Day.
The donations topped the $17.1 million raised in 2013. About 119,000 individual donations were made.
Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Augsburg College in Minneapolis, and Second Harvest Heartland in St. Paul were among the top beneficiaries, with Cretin-Derham cracking the half-million dollar mark.
Dana Nelson, executive director of GiveMN.org, which coordinates the day of giving, had urged Minnesotans to dig deep into their pockets and support their favorite causes.
"I am thrilled that we set a new record,''she said. "From Minnesotans wearing green to flying principals, today has been a tribute to the creativity and passion of nonprofit organizations and schools that make Give to the Max Day an incredible success.''
One of the most unusual fundraisers took place at the Mall of America, where teachers and principals rode a zip line across the ceiling of Nickelodeon Universe to drum up donations for their schools.
Bruce Vento Elementary School in St. Paul had one of the most vocal sets of young cheerleaders standing below. The students had been holding "penny wars" to raise money for their school. Now it was their teacher's turn to pitch in.
"Miss Tran! Miss Tran! Miss Tran!" they shouted, watching their teacher whiz by in a Superwoman cape and tights.