Money is a significant lubricant that helps non-profit organizations do the excellent work that they do. There is an amazing opportunity for people to help provide some of that monetary lubricant for their favorite non-profit when the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania holds its Ninth Annual Raise the Region Fundraising event for 30 hours beginning Wednesday, March 10.

Officials at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) in partnership with Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships are excited to announce Raise the Region 2021, an event to help the communities of Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties support local non-profit organizations fundraising efforts.

“This is the ninth year for the fundraiser supported by FCFP and Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships. We are excited to host this regional event again, especially since so many of the local non-profits have not been able to fundraise this year due to COVID-19,” Jason McCahan, Director of Philanthropy, told Webb Weekly. “Raise the Region has become a primary fundraiser for many organizations over the years, and we expect the need to be even greater this year due to the pandemic. Donors also appreciate the opportunity to help a variety of local non-profits and look forward to this event each year.”

In previous years, there has been a Raise the Region kick-off event at a local Blaise Alexander Dealership. With COVID restrictions, FCFP had to get creative with this year’s kick-off. On March 10th from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. there will be a ‘Drive-Thru’ Kick-Off at the Blaise Alexander Chevy Dealership (405 Alexander Dr., Muncy). People are encouraged to drive-thru a service bay and vote for their favorite non-profit. The non-profit with the most votes will receive a $2,000 prize. Then, each non-profit that receives at least one vote will be entered in a random drawing to win a $2,000 prize! The FCFP will also be hosting a livestream kick-off at raisetheregion.org.

Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships has generously donated $150,000 that will be used to stretch every donation made to pre-registered non-profits. Additional monetary prizes and incentives sponsored by Larson Design Group, Subaru, Toyota Motor Corporation, Pennsylvania Skill by Miele Manufacturing, UPMC, Weis Markets, and AutoTrader will be awarded to participating non-profits throughout the entire event. This program is designed to help kick off the 2021 fundraising efforts of local non-profits through the generosity of sponsors and the community at large.

“The Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships are proud to be a part of this regional fundraiser for the ninth year. Raise the Region gives us the opportunity to support a variety of local non-profits by providing an extra percentage on each gift,” said Aubrey Alexander.

Blaise Alexander added, “When we were first approached about hosting something like Raise the Region, it was only an idea. We weren’t even sure what we were going to call it. We did some brainstorming, and because we had dealerships in several of the neighboring counties, I believe that’s why we came up with the idea of the region.

“We also felt that we could benefit more of the neighboring towns that are just outside our county and it turned out to be a real boon for some of the charities that I never heard of but are very worthwhile. People are generally very eager to give to their charity of choice, but sometimes they just don’t have the opportunity or the urging to do so. Raise the Region is ideal because it’s only a 30-hour situation so it’s kind of a one and done. People, I think, get a lot of gratification out of knowing that they’re a part of something so great.”

In 2020, north central Pennsylvania showed its true spirit of philanthropy by donating $1,426,572 to over 280 non-profits. Raise the Region had thousands of donors make 9,423 gifts. Since starting in 2013, Raise the Region has collectively received over $10.2 million in donations to benefit local non-profit organizations.

On Wednesday, March 10, beginning at 6 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, the public is encouraged to visit http://www.RaiseTheRegion.org and select participating non-profits to support. Your gift will be stretched by the matching contribution from Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships. Your donation(s) can also help raise additional support for the non-profits selected by qualifying them for monetary prizes. All gifts are tax-deductible and will help make the mission of your favorite non-profit possible.

The Foundation works to improve the quality of life in north-central Pennsylvania through community leadership, the promotion of philanthropy, the strengthening of non-profit impact, and the perpetual stewardship of charitable assets.

“The current pandemic has caused increased demands for the services provided by many of our region’s non-profits. We have heard from several donors who are looking for additional ways to help those in need. Raise the Region will provide that opportunity for donors who wish to support local non-profits. Raising awareness for the many great non-profits across the region and increasing the sense of community among donors across county lines are our primary goals,” McGahan said.

Raise the Region is a unique 30-hour online giving campaign that gives community members an opportunity to support our local nonprofits by helping them raise as much money as possible! Donations from this strategic and unified effort will support our local nonprofits in addressing the increasing needs of our region. Your contribution will help them in creating more vibrant communities and ultimately help our north central Pennsylvania region thrive! So be sure to visit raisetheregion.org on March 10th and 11th to make your donation to your favorite local non-profit. For a donation to be counted for prize incentives, the donation must be made through http://www.raisetheregion.org during this thirty (30) hour period.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the Community Foundation, or to learn more about ways to make a difference in your community, contact the Community Foundation office at 570-321-1500 x 11.