Boom! Just like that, another Giving Hearts Day is in the books!

For those who may have been living under a rock (and no offense, rocks are cool), Giving Hearts Day is like a massive virtual party where people from North Dakota and northwest Minnesota come together to donate to their favorite charities, creating a huge impact in their communities all in a single day.

While the majority of the giving occurs online, the organizers of the event, the Dakota Medical Foundation, open their doors and host a lively day of celebration and giving at their Fargo location. I've been documenting the day for DMF since 2017, and it's been incredible to witness how the event has changed and evolved over the years.

This year was as action-packed as ever. There were tears of joy, big ol’ checks, tight hugs, and even a friendly opossum. Although I spent most of the day at Giving Hearts Headquarters, I did manage to venture out and about to document support from a few businesses and even got to hug some adorable pups.

This year, they managed to raise an astounding $29 million (yes, million) dollars. Congratulations and high-fives to all the amazing charities!