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