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150+ charities to join effort for 24 hours

As part of Raise the Region, a 24-hour fundraising project, area residents are able to donate to any of the more than 150 nonprofit organizations that signed up to participate March 12.

The event, organized by First Community Foundation Partnership, allows anyone to go to raisetheregion.org and donate to any nonprofit they choose. There is a $25 minimum donation for the event and it must be made through either credit or debit card.

“Obviously, everybody that has a nonprofit is looking for funding … but what this kind of screamed out to me was a global effort. It wasn’t just for one organization,” said Melissa Magargle, executive director of Family Promise of Lycoming County Inc., on why her organization wanted to participate.

Raise the Region is open to any nonprofit organization in the partnership’s six counties of coverage – Lycoming, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Synder and Union.

The website is up and running but donations will not be allowed until midnight Tuesday. Donations will end at 11:59 p.m. that day. Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships has donated $125,000 to match portions of donations and monetary prizes will be given to organizations from Larson Design Group.

Donations up to $10,000 from individual donors will be matched.

Dawn Astin, co-commanding officer of American Rescue Workers, hopes that Internet use in the event will attract new donors.

“We were excited because I think it will target maybe a younger population that makes it a habit to use the Internet,” she said.

Scott Reed, coordinator of planning and business development for Hope Enterprise Inc., added that he liked the unique idea of a 24-hour, Internet-based event.

“I was actually excited about,” Reed said. “I thought it was a nice, refreshing take on giving to nonprofits.”

“I think that it is an innovative and exciting way to get the community excited about supporting local nonprofit organizations,” said David Brumbaugh, executive director of Uptown Music Collective.

Astin added that with state and federal cuts to funding, all help is welcomed.

“We’re always looking for additional funds to support our hunger and homeless prevention programs,” Astin said.

“Every opportunity we have to raise money and awareness of the work we do is of great value,” Brumbaugh added.

Robin Glossner, James V. Brown Library development coordinator, said the matching component also is an incentive for donors.

“We’re participating because we think it’s a wonderful opportunity for donors to have their gift increased as part of the match and for the library to earn prizes,” she said.

Some area organizations added that there is an added benefit because more residents may learn about a group and want to volunteer.

“I think our main interest is in attracting new donors,” said Victoria Stryker, director of Lycoming County SPCA. “And I think maybe someone who may not have heard of our services before may want to check us out.”

“It’s a great way for the Y to raise awareness for the good work we do in the community,” said Dave Fagerstrom, River Valley Regional YMCA CEO and president, which has three branches participating – Eastern Lycoming, Jersey Shore and Williamsport.

Stryker said she’s hoping for new donors. Magargle agreed, saying, “My hope, obviously, is we hope that there will be some donations that will come our way that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”

Those participating said they are excited and even one donation can help. Glossner said the event “encourages a culture of philanthropy.”

“It can only have good benefits for those involved,” Reed said.

List of participants who serve Lycoming County:

AIDS Resource Alliance Inc.

Albright LIFE Lycoming/ Clinton

American Cancer Society

American Red Cross, NCPA Chapter

American Rescue Workers

Andrew’s Special Kids Foundation

Appalachain Horse Help & Rescue

Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Billtown Blues Association Inc.

Black Hole Creek Watershed Association

Campbell Street Family, Youth & Community Association Inc.

CASA of Lycoming County

Center for Creativity-Community Woodshop

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc.

Community Arts Center

Community Theatre League

East Lycoming Historical Society

Eastern Lycoming Branch YMCA

EconomicsPennsylvania

ElderCare Solutions Inc.

Expectations Women’s Center

Family Promise of Lycoming County Inc.

Favors Forward Foundation

Free Enterprise Inc.

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity

Haven to Home Rescue Inc.

Hiawatha Inc.

Hope Enterprises Inc.

Hughesville Area Public Library

James V. Brown Library

Jersey Shore Hospital

Jersey Shore Summer Recreation Inc.

Jersey Shore YMCA

Krauss Educational Consulting DBA The Academia

Lycoming Animal Protection Society

Lycoming County Historical Society

Lycoming County Library System

Lycoming County Preventing Teen Pregnancy Inc.

Lycoming County SPCA

Lycoming County United Way

Lycoming County Young Life

Muncy Historical Society and Museum

Muncy Public Library

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central PA Chapter

North Central Sight Services Inc.

Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy

Oriole League Inc.

PA Treatment and Healing

PGSS Campaign Inc.

Preservation Williamsport Foundation

Repasz Band

Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living

South Williamsport Little League

Special Olympics Lycoming County

St. John Neumann Regional Academy

STEP

SUN Home Health and Hospice

SunnyBrook Meadows Therapeutic Riding

Susquehanna Community Health and Dental Clinic Inc.

Susquehanna Council, BSA

Susquehanna Health Foundation

Sycamore Manor

The Salvation Army

The Veterans Memorial Park of Picture Rocks Inc.

The Williamsport Home

Transitional Living Center Inc.

United Churches of Lycoming County

Uptown Music Collective

Valley Prevention Services

Valley View Nursing Center

West Branch School

West End Babe Ruth Baseball

West House Personal Care Home

Williamsport Area High School Band Association Inc.

Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation

Williamsport Branch YMCA

Williamsport Civic Chorus

Williamsport Independent Media

Williamsport Symphony Orchestra

Williamsport/ Lycoming Flags Across America

YWCA Northcentral PA

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