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“We’ve always loved GIFTS and its mission,” Danielle said. “We’re also passionate about the environment and sustainable energy. We only have one Earth so it’s important that we do what we can to make it last and take care of the people here.”

Matt and Danielle McDonald both grew up in Janesville and have been active with GIFTS through their church, St. John Vianney, by providing meals.

Danielle also volunteered at the GIFTS thrift store, 1141 Black Bridge Road, in 2020. They came up with the fundraising idea after installing solar panels at their house three years ago.

“We always thought it would be awesome to help a nonprofit get solar panels, but we thought it was a far-fetched idea,” Danielle said. They felt particularly inspired to help GIFTS after hearing that ECHO, Inc., 65 S. High St., in Janesville, had installed solar panels in the summer of 2022.

“When [Matt] came to me with the idea, I told him ‘It’s not in my wheelhouse to take this on’ and he’s like, ‘You’re not understanding. We will take it on,’” MaryAnn Raash, executive director of GIFTS, said. “This couple wanted to give us the gift that keeps giving.”

The shelter’s electricity bill now amounts to roughly $8,700 per year. With close to a 90% monthly offset and 10% overproduction, there will be some electricity that is produced in excess in certain months of the year. This could reduce the utility cost by almost $4,000 in the first year.

“It’s a trickle-down effect,” Raash said. “It’s great to conserve energy but we can take that money and really invest it in these men. We’ve been at full capacity since October.”

“It truly feels like it’s making double the impact,” Danielle said.

The solar panels were installed by Full Spectrum Solar in Madison from April 11-22.

The McDonalds wrote and mailed letters to neighborhoods around Janesville with information about GIFTS and how much they could save by installing solar panels.

“They were very passionate about finding a way to help us financially, in a way that would be sustainable year after year,” Raash said.

Around $95,000 was raised between December 2022 to April 2023. The shelter was able to secure a $5,000 Renew Wisconsin Solar for Good grant and a Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin grant for $10,000. The rest of the funds were provided by donors orchestrated by the McDonalds. The shelter roof was replaced last fall to help with building and solar panels’ longevity.

“Sometimes it feels so hard to be the one to do something, but for us, it was really inspiring to work with all these people in the community and come together to make it happen,” Danielle said.