NEWS 2019

Charity and community spirit were highlighted and celebrated as Greater Pike Community Foundation hosted over 60 people representing 45 local non-profit organizations for the 21st Annual Community Workshop on April 9th. Attendees had an opportunity to make 3-minute presentations about their organizations while learning about other non-profits, upcoming events, and initiatives.

Greater Pike’s Executive Director, Jenni Hamill, opened the morning’s workshop with a welcome and an introduction to the Foundation, “Like you, Greater Pike is a non-profit too,” she said. Hamill continued by highlighting the types of charitable funds offered through the Foundation, including organizational endowment funds, and emphasized that the permanence of endowment funds is highly marketable to supporters and donors who care about the future and longevity of organizations as well as their day-to-day operations. Hamill also recognized Pike County Light & Power (PCL&P) for their 20th year of sponsorship of this event.

“This gathering is quite remarkable,” said Greater Pike board member Maryanne Monte. “No matter how well-informed you think you are about local non-profit organizations in our area, you can’t help but be surprised and inspired by the sheer volume of organized service and giving spread across our area. One of the best parts of the day was watching attendees from other organizations networking and learning how they can work together to be even more effective.”

Making connections was valued by attendees also. “Through this wonderful event ART reconnected with GAIT and Safe Haven and we are planning to collaborate in future programs,” said Jeffrey Stocker, Director of the American Readers Theatre (ART). Tamara Chant, representing the Pinchot Institute reflected a similar sentiment, “There were so many natural partners for us in the room. Angie Smith of 4-H and the Penn State Extension and I spoke about meeting to talk about early forest conservation education.”

For its first two decades, the Workshop was sponsored by the Milford Historic Preservation Trust’s Milford Enhancement Committee (MEC) which initially focused on Milford enhancement efforts. Over the years, however, the event has grown and expanded both in scope and numbers to represent the entire Pike County area. Consequently, in 2018, the MEC officially handed over sponsorship of the workshop to Greater Pike Community Foundation which is pleased to play this role in bringing together the champions of the best of our community, making it such a special place to live for all of us.

Greater Pike Community Foundation (GPCF) was created to enable generous individuals, families and local businesses to maximize their charitable support through organized, targeted, long-term community philanthropy. The Foundation provides a permanent and personal way to give back to the region we love and have worked so hard to nurture and maintain. For more information about establishing a fund in memory of a loved one, or to discuss how to realize your charitable goals for the future, please contact Jenni Hamill at jennihamill@greaterpike.org or (570) 832-4686, or visit greaterpike.org and Facebook.com/GreaterPike.