Give Local pulls in $155K for 42 nonprofits
mcatoe@thelancasternews.com
Give Local Lancaster raised $154,915 for 42 local nonprofits in its second-annual 24-hour online fundraiser, topping last year's total by 64 percent.
"That's just under a quarter of a million dollars in the span of 12 or 13 months," said an excited Robert Folks, board chair of the J. Marion Sims Foundation, which hosted the event.
"This huge sum is injected into the nonprofit area from this event alone," Folks said. "That to me sends a message that we can do many things in our community that we set our minds to."
The money came in through online and offline donations, and matching gifts from 22 businesses. Onlinedonations from 919 donors totaled $74,852. Nearly 100 offline gifts of cash and checks added up to $36,014.
That total will continue to rise as checks come in through the mail. The remaining $44,049 came from 22 businesses that gave matching incentives.
Many representatives from the nonprofits greeted the public and shared their mission Tuesday at the Sims Foundation offices at 800 N. White St.
"We are humbled and gratified by the community's response to our nonprofit partners," said Susan
DeVenny, the foundation's president and CEO.
"Our community truly cares about the well-being of each resident, and this level of giving certainly reflects the philanthropic spirit of people who live, work, play in Lancaster, Fort Lawn or Great Falls, South Carolina," she said.
Some companies set up donation stations at their place of business. Others ran internal campaigns
encouraging their employees to donate to causes that matter to them.
Six restaurants offered free food and events throughout the day, "allowing the community to celebrate
philanthropy and each other," DeVenny said.
Nutramax Laboratories gave $25,000 to Give Local Lancaster this year, an increase of $8,000 from last year. Both years, it has been the largest business contributor.
The company decided to do something special this year in honor of its 25th year in business, according to Kristen Blanchard, vice president of external corporate affairs. Nutramax selected 25 organizations they support and offered $1,000 in matching funds. All 25 reached the $1,000 mark and received the matching amount.
"Giving back to the community is so critical for everybody. It's where you live, where you work, where you do everything," Blanchard said. "Giving back and being a servant is part of Nutramax's philosophy."
Blanchard said owner Dr. Bob Henderson and his family are dedicated Christians who encourage servant leadership.
"Lancaster has done a lot for us since we moved here seven years ago," Blanchard said. "Giving back is the right thing to do, and we were really excited to do something special this year."
The Craft Stand opened Tuesday evening to raise money for Give Local Lancaster. Normally, it is closed on Tuesdays. In four hours, the company raised nearly $2,000, dividing it equally among the Lancaster SPCA, the Lancaster County Council for the Arts and the Community Playhouse.
"They are loyal customers here, and we wanted to give back to them," said Craft Stand co-owner Brandy Geraghty.
Silent auction items came from the Craft Stand, Leo's, Sambo's, and DIY Farms. Leo's Wings provided food. Adam Quay and Jason Switzer played live music.
"This is great for community," Geraghty said. "Locals giving to locals for the things they love is such a great idea."
Also during the night, Leo's collected more than $100 for the Lancaster Children's Home.
The Craft Stand opened last August, so this was its first Give Local event.
"I am super-excited for next year," Geraghty said. "This one went over really, really well, and I can't wait to see what we can do with a little more time under our belts."
In the last 50 minutes of the campaign Tuesday night, 45 donations came in totaling $4,310.
Nearly $3,000 of that came in the last two minutes.
Fifteen businesses returned from last year, along with seven new ones for 2017.
Give Local Lancaster is a part of Give Local America, a campaign in its fourth year. It allows people and businesses to donate to causes that matter to them. Locally, it is sponsored by Lancaster County Partners for Youth, the city of Lancaster, the Lancaster County Community Foundation and the Sims Foundation.
The following businesses and other organizations offered matching gifts to the Give Local nonprofits: Builders Supply Co., Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Comporium Communications, Crenco Food Stores, The Eye & Laser Center, First Citizens Bank, First Palmetto Bank, Folks & DeVenny, Founders Federal Credit Union, J. Marion Sims Foundation, Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, Mobley Drugs, Murdock Orthodontics, Nibrol, Nutramax Laboratories, Perception Builders, Rebound Behavioral Health, Speedy, Tanner, Atkinson & Cook, Springs Memorial Hospital, Thompson & Davis CPAs, Trimnal & Myers and XL MediaWorks.
These businesses offered discounts or events for donors: 521 BBQ & Grill, Chick-fil-A, The Craft Stand, Gusʼ House of Pizza, Inspiration Ministries CrossRidge Café and The Wagon Wheel Restaurant.
Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or
contact her at (803) 283-1152.
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