A local philanthropist is challenging the community to raise money for Mission of Mercy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free healthcare.
Eugene Bouligny is encouraging others to match his $200,000 gift to Mission of Mercy. That means, if Mission of Mercy raises $200,000, Mr. Bouligny will write a check for the same amount.
“It’s been to motivate people,” Bouligny said. “To motivate people to do something they normally wouldn’t do.”
Every year, Mr. Bouligny donates money to different charities or organizations that support healthcare or education. In recent years, he has donated several million dollars to Del Mar College, and several hundred thousand dollars to organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
The key to his donations?
“So what you try to do is give to charities that do the most for the community,” Bouligny said
Now, Bouligny is making his third gift to Mission of Mercy, an organization that provides free healthcare, eye care, diabetes cooking classes and more.
“It’s an absolute need,” said Mr. Bouligny. “And many people do not have the funds or the knowledge to take care of themselves.”
A little about Bouligny? He takes his work seriously, but he’s got a good sense of humor too.
“Money, as I’ve said before, is like manure,” he said. “You spread it around, you make things grow.”
But he adds he’s just humbled to donate to a community that has been supportive of his efforts.
“The reason that you do it is, it’s just the right thing to do,” Bouligny said.
The match-gift challenge for Mission of Mercy will run until the end of June. For more information on how to donate, call 361-883-5500, or visit Mission of Mercy’s website.
