LEWISBURG, Pa. — A two-day fundraiser in central Pennsylvania is officially underway.
It's called Raise the Region. It collects donations for nonprofits in Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties.
A group of nonprofits packed into Blaise Family Dealership in Lewisburg to celebrate another year of helping causes collect much needed money through Raise the Region.
"The First Community Partnership of Pennsylvania is putting on Raise the Region. This is our 12th year doing it. 350 nonprofits are looking for support," said Jason McCahan, First Community Partnership's director of major and planned gifts.
The online donation drive supports nonprofits in Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties.
One of those nonprofits is Haven to Home Canine Rescue. They spend an average of $50,000 a year helping animals
"We are an all-volunteer foster-based organization and dogs like Rita here, she was found after being hit by a car on (Route) 522. so we have vet expenses," said Marcy Benner from Haven to Home.
Becky Perez from The Public Library for Union County knows what they will do with money raised.
"The money we raise today will be able to expand youth programming. We have great story hour for the little ones, and we want to get older elementary school and middle school kids."
Last year's campaign brought in more than $2.3 million.
"This year, we are looking to break that goal. For every gift that is made, a portion of those Blaise Alexander Dealership dollars will follow your donation to help support local nonprofits," McCahan said.
"We invest in the employees; we invest in the community," said Aubrey Alexander from Blaise Family Dealership. "Maybe that can trickle down to the next neighbor or the next business and raise the community. Raise the Region, that is the whole point."
While each group has a different mission, they all have one thing in common: supporting the people of central Pennsylvania in any way they can.
"We expanded into Northumberland County this year and we are super excited to partner with a bunch of the people here so we can make sure that every neighbor is served," said Kathy Alexander, general manager of Agape.
The 30-hour event began Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. and runs through Thursday, March 14th at 11:59 p.m.
More than 335 nonprofits are participating.
To donate, visit www.raisetheregion.org.
WNEP-TV is a proud media sponsor of Raise the Region.