Giving Day offers a picture of Conn.

Collectively, nonprofits create a mosaic of Connecticut. Many of their missions blend into a cohesive picture on Giving Day, (https:// www.fcgives.org/) a 24-hour fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 25. From midnight to 11:59 p.m., participating agencies demonstrate that competition and collaboration can co-exist. Hosted by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, the marathon has become a fun event in these dog days of winter, as nearly 400 participating organizations vie for matching funds that can be won in various contests.

It’s the best chance to consider the view of this picture of Connecticut, even as the pandemic changes the canvas.

The foundation recently surveyed recipients of grants it distributed to help state communities cope with fallout from the coronavirus. About 25 percent of them invested the money in feeding people in our towns and cities. About 15 percent used the grants to fulfill technology needs for families in need as schools transitioned to a remote model.

The pandemic pulled back layers of our picture of Connecticut to reveal the many people falling into the wealth gap. But these are only pieces of the Connecticut Mosaic.

Many participating agencies are themselves trying to stay solvent. Our state needs these services in the same way it thrives when our communities have diverse populations.

During these days of isolation, checking out the list of participating nonprofits can feel like a daycation, traveling not just across towns and cities, but through seasons and different stations of life.

For children, there are educational playgrounds, such as the Children’s Adventure Center in Sandy Hook, the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport and groups such as Intempo in Stamford, which teaches classical music through native instruments.

There are outlets for animal lovers, including Resources in Search and Rescue in Monroe, and Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Wilton.

There are ways to navigate our waters, like SoundWaters in Stamford, as well as the stars, including the Westport Astronomical Society.

There are avenues to support people in crisis outside of state and international borders, including the Red Cross, Americares (which is headquartered in Stamford) and Cos Cob-based Kids in Crisis.

And there are many reminders of the poverty that stubbornly remains in our towns and cities, offered relief by groups such as Catholic Charities, as well as services for substance abuse recovery, including Recovery Network of Programs.

Some agencies knock down the borders that become walls between our communities. All Our Kin focuses on cities, training family child care educators for New Haven, Bridgeport, Danbury, Stamford and Norwalk.

There is so much more, including work on behalf of veterans, the disabled and social justice.

And yes, there are the arts, which remain in jeopardy with scant audiences even as thousands of residents yearn to return to theaters.

This isn’t a complete picture. It’s hardly even a glimpse. This space can’t contain a full list of Giving Day participants and summaries.

But paint your own picture. Become part of the mosaic.

During these days of isolation, checking out the list of participating nonprofits can feel like a daycation, traveling not just across towns and cities, but through seasons and different stations of life.