POTTSVILLE — Three local nonprofit organizations serving communities in different ways were presented gifts of more than $1,000 from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation.
The presentations were made Wednesday at the foundation office in Pottsville to representatives of Servants to All, Schuylkill Women in Crisis and Schuylkill Community Action.
The donations to the organizations were new to SACF this year, according to its Executive Director Amanda Campbell.
“Normally, we hold a dinner where we invite our donors, fund contacts, some of the grant and scholarship recipients, and our friends,” Campbell said. “Typically we hold it at Mountain Valley (Golf Course) and it’s just an evening of celebrating what we’ve been able to do for the community. Due to COVID-19, we opted to not hold that event but we still wanted to make an impact on the community.”
Campbell said the board of directors nominated organizations and a vote was taken to select three organizations.
Campbell presented envelopes with the $1,000 checks to Servants to All Executive Director Jeanette Triano Sinn, SWiC Communications Director Amy Newton, and SCA Food Network Coordinator Jason Schally.
“We recognize what you are doing for our community, and we’re really proud of the work that you continue to do despite being shut down and going virtual while still trying to serve your clients successfully when they need it in person,” Campbell said. “Keep up the good work.”
In addition to the $1,000 checks, the envelopes also included a second check to each that came from donations from SACF-connected individuals who wanted to add to the gifts. Campbell said the total received by each of the three organizations was a little over $1,100.
After the check presentation, the representatives were asked if any plans have been made for the gift.
“I don’t know at this point,” Triano Sinn said. “It will probably be general support for our clients.”
“It will be the same for us,” Newton said. “We can’t do our work without community support. We rely on the community to help us. Every penny that we get from the community helps.”
Schally said the funds will be used for the food network.
“The funds will be devoted to the Schuylkill Food Network for the distribution of food to families around the county,” Schally said. “There are 160 distributions a year through our food pantries at all of our 20 sites.”
Founded in 2012, Servants to All is Schuylkill County’s only homeless program serving both men and women from Schuylkill and surrounding counties. Since November 2016, the United Presbyterian Church in Pottsville has offered Servants to All space for overnight stays for individuals who are homeless. Because of the generous partnership with the UPC, the organization has been able to house 529 people since November 2015.
For more information, call 570-728-2917 or email to [email protected] The website is www.servantstoall.org.
Opening in 1983, the mission of Schuylkill Women in Crisis is to offer help, hope and healing for those impacted by intimate partner violence or sexual abuse through crisis intervention, shelter, education and advocacy for social change. The office can be reached at 570-622-3991 or by email at [email protected] The website is www.s-wic.org.
SWiC’s hotline numbers are 570-622-6220 or 800-282-0634. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained counselors are ready to answer calls and provide information and referral numbers to individuals in crisis.
Schuylkill Community Action is a nonprofit organization that assists low-income and struggling people in Schuylkill County. Its primary purpose is to coordinate and focus all available resources upon the needs of low-income county residents enabling them to obtain adequate, affordable housing and secure the opportunities necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.
SCA can be reached at 570-622-1995 or by email at [email protected] Its website is schuylkillcommunityaction.com.
The Schuylkill Area Community Foundation (SACF) is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 1967 under the name of Ashland Trusts. The board of directors and staff work with individual donors, businesses and professional advisors to establish charitable endowment funds that benefit nonprofit organizations and residents in Schuylkill County. Donations are accepted in any amount throughout the year for existing charitable funds or to create a new legacy fund.
There is a 14-member board of directors that includes the following officers: President Gary R. Glessner; Vice President Joann H. Zogby; Secretary Richard L. Berger, and Treasurer Keith J. Strouse.
In addition to Campbell, the staff includes Administrative Director Sharon Koszyk and Scholarships and Awards Administrator Marybeth Matz.
To contact the foundation for more information about creating a new fund or donating to an existing one, call 570-624-7223, Campbell at [email protected], or go to www.sacfoundation.com.
