Give Local York reaches $1 million fundraising goal for 200+ nonprofits with 7 hours to go
Philip Given and Meagan Feeser, of Give Local York, celebrate after reaching the goal of $1 million Friday in Central Market. (Photo: Jim Seip, YDR)
(York) — The Force was strong at the York Jewish Community Center Friday afternoon.
More than a dozen children gathered in the JCC gym to celebrate Star Wars Day with lightsaber battles, games, a photo booth and characters.
But the popular movie franchise wasn’t the only thing they were celebrating.
The York JCC is one of more than 200 nonprofit organizations participating in Give Local York, York County’s first-ever 24-hour giving spree. The goal is to collectively raise $1 million for local organizations in 24 hours – from midnight to 11:59 p.m. Friday.
Just before 5 p.m., Give Local achieved that goal with seven hours left to go. Around the same time, the Jewish Community Center reached the $20,000 mark.
Holly Metzger-Brown, the JCC’s youth fitness director, said the idea for Friday’s “Star Wars” Family Play Day was to show people that when they give to the JCC, they’re supporting programs like these.
“I don’t think people realize the impact we have,” she said. “It’s because people provide us with funds, volunteering, sponsorships, donations – that’s how we can do the things we do at the level we do them.”
Michelle Tomcik of Windsor Township brought her 5- and 7-year-olds to the JCC’s “Star Wars” Family Play Day and said she thought it was a great way to draw attention to the giving spree. She loves the programs at the JCC, but said people don’t always think to support them.
Jennifer Kunkle, another mom from Windsor Township, agreed.
“Most of our donations probably go to larger national organizations, so it’s a good opportunity to give money to places we go to on a regular basis,” she said.
The JCC will also hold a Jedi training fitness event at 5 p.m. in Cherry Lane in downtown York for those who couldn’t make it to Friday afternoon’s event.
And, about 150 other events will continue to take place across the county all day long to shine a spotlight on the hundreds of other participating nonprofits and to thank them for what they do.
For a complete schedule of events or to donate, visit www.givelocalyork.org.
This story comes to us through a partnership between WITF and The York Daily Record.
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