It has been said that “money is the mother’s milk of political campaigns,” the same can be said for non-profit organizations who rely on generous donations of money to enable them to provide needed services to the people they serve. As way to obtain this needed “mother’s milk,” the First Community Partnership of Pennsylvania devised the “Raise the Region” fundraiser to target giving to designated nonprofit organizations. This unique fundraiser is now in its 10th year.
This year’s “Raise the Region” fundraiser will take place during the 30-hour period between 6:00 p.m. March 9th and 11:59 p.m., Thursday, March 10, 2022. Nonprofit participation in Raise the Region is available to 501c3 organizations serving residents in Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, or Union Counties.
Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships has generously donated $170,000 that will be used to stretch every donation made to preregistered nonprofits. Additional monetary prizes and incentives sponsored by First Citizens Community Bank, Larson Design Group, Subaru, Toyota Motor Corporation, Pennsylvania Skill by Miele Manufacturing, UPMC, Weis Markets, and AutoTrader will be awarded to participating nonprofits throughout the entire event. This program is designed to help kickoff the 2022 fundraising efforts of local nonprofits through the generosity of their sponsors and the community at large.
In 2021, north central Pennsylvania showed its true spirit of philanthropy by donating $2,037,800 to 272 nonprofits. Raise the Region had thousands of donors make over 14,000 gifts. Since starting in 2013, Raise the Region has collectively received $12.3 million in donations for the benefit of local nonprofit organizations.
Raise the Region is the area’s largest online fundraising event helping the communities of Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties support local nonprofit organizations fundraising efforts. Since the program’s inception, the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships have generously donated $150,000 each year to stretch every donation during the online fundraising event. This year, the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships is increasing its donation to $170,000 allowing the program to include Tioga County, PA.
Tioga County is a new addition to Raise the Region this year. “I’ve always enjoyed coming to Tioga County and now that I own businesses here, I feel it is more important than ever to become more of a part of this community. I know of no better way to become a part of something than to participate in the charities of the region. I’ve been invited to several different functions in the county and the Tioga County fair livestock auction has become one of my favorites. Again, Raise the Region will allow all the different charities to participate and motivate their people to give. Can’t think of a better way to give back to the county than bringing them into the Raise the Region event,” said Blaise Alexander, President of Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships.
Jennifer D. Wilson, FCFP President & CEO, said, “The generosity displayed by Blaise Alexander and his family of dealerships continues to inspire others. The Foundation is grateful to Blaise for his philanthropic leadership and to Randy Black and his team at First Citizens Community Bank for helping to make this expansion possible. We are excited to introduce our program to the residents of Tioga County.”
On Wednesday, March 9th at 6:00 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 10th the public is encouraged to visit http://www.RaiseTheRegion.org and select participating nonprofits 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 nonprofits selected by qualifying them for monetary prizes. All gifts are tax deductible and will help make your favorite nonprofit’s mission possible.
FCFP works to improve the quality of life in north central Pennsylvania through community leadership, the promotion of philanthropy, the strengthening of nonprofit impact and the perpetual stewardship of charitable assets.
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.
