There are plenty of things we cannot control. We cannot control the economy, decisions made in Harrisburg or Washington, or the circumstances that can turn a family’s life upside down.
But we can decide what we do about it.
We can look out for our neighbors and support the nonprofits that step up when people need help. We can invest in the place we call home.
That is what the Adams County Community Foundation Giving Spree is all about.
This November, Adams County will come together to support local nonprofits doing the work that matters here. They feed families, educate children, care for older adults, protect our history and environment, support the arts, serve people with disabilities, respond to emergencies, and make this a better place to live.
We take care of our own.
The Giving Spree started in 2011 with $8,000 in donations. Last year, donors gave more than $4.3 million through more than 11,000 gifts. What began as a modest effort has grown into one of the largest giving days in the country.
That growth says something about Adams County. People care about where they live and are willing to put their money behind it. The Giving Spree gives us a way to turn that commitment into action.
The Community Foundation and our sponsors cover the cost of the event, so participating nonprofits pay nothing. Every dollar you give goes to charitable purposes, and incentive dollars help make those gifts go even further.
You can also decide whether your gift meets needs today or helps provide support for years to come. A “today” gift addresses immediate needs. A “forever” gift goes into a nonprofit’s endowment, where it is invested to provide support year after year. Both matter.
You can support one nonprofits or one hundred. Give by check or credit card, donate appreciated stock, make an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution, recommend a grant from a fund or foundation, or take advantage of an employer matching-gift program.
You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. You have to care enough to take part.
On November 5, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Wyndham Gettysburg, you can meet the people behind these organizations, learn what they do, and decide where your charitable dollars can do the most good. The Donation Form and Donor Guide are also available at ACCFGivingSpree.org.
Adams County has its share of challenges. No single organization can solve them all, and no single donor is expected to do it alone. But when thousands of people each do their part, the results add up.
The Giving Spree puts that opportunity in our hands. We decide what matters, which nonprofits deserve our support, and what kind of community we want to leave to the next generation.
We don’t have to agree on everything to agree that our neighbors matter. When our community needs us, we can show up.
That is what taking care of our own looks like.
Ralph Serpe is President & CEO of the Adams County Community Foundation, producer of the Giving Spree. He serves on the board of the Adams Economic Alliance and the National Standards Board for U.S. Community Foundations. He can be reached at 717-337-0060 or rs****@***********cf.org.