ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY -- Stewart’s Shops is teaming up with its customers once again to raise money for local children’s charities across the North Country.

The Stewart’s Holiday Match campaign kicked off Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas at all shop locations. The program doubles customer donations penny for penny and has set fundraising records four consecutive seasons.

The company operates stores in Massena, Canton, Potsdam, Ogdensburg, Winthrop and many other towns.

In 2017, customers donated an $945,000 to the program, doubling to more than $1.89 million with the Stewart’s match. This was a $147,000 increase over the previous season. The funds were able to support 1,780 local children’s organizations across the 31 counties where Stewart’s shops are located.

This program has contributed nearly $26 million to thousands of local children’s organizations since 1986. All the money donated goes to charity; there are no administrative costs. The funds are allocated in March.

The goal of Holiday Match is to encourage individual giving and broaden the base of support for local charities.

Stewart’s Holiday Match is a 501c3 foundation; all donations are tax-deductible. Stewart’s gladly accepts funds from groups or businesses, but only matches individual donations.

Local children’s organizations are encouraged to apply for funding online at stewartsshops.com. Paper applications are also available at shops.

The deadline for submission is January 31, 2019. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization.

A listing of all the local organizations that received funds last season is available online at https://www.stewartsshops.com/