SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s Shops is teaming up with its customers once again to raise money for local children’s charities.

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

In 2017, customers donated $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.

Since 1986, this program has contributed nearly $26 million to thousands of local children’s organizations. 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 501(c)3 foundation; all donations are tax-deductible. Stewart’s 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 Jan. 31, 2019. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be qualified, charitable 501(c)3 organizations. A listing of all the local organizations that received funds last season is available online at https://www.stewartsshops.com.