Helping hands: How to support the nonprofits that strengthen Centre County
As we enter a season focused on gratitude and giving, it’s a good time to consider how we can support the nonprofits that strengthen Centre County.
Our community is fortunate to have many health and human services organizations — such as Centre Volunteers in Medicine, the State College Food Bank, Housing Transitions, CentrePeace, Out of the Cold, Meals on Wheels, Centre Safe, the Youth Service Bureau, Interfaith Housing Services and the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, to name a few — working especially hard during the holidays to ensure that residents have food, shelter, safety and care.
We also have nonprofits that support individuals who face grief, difficult memories, or depression this time of year, including Tides, Grief Connection, Jana Marie Foundation, and Centre Helps, etc. Many of these groups operate with limited resources, yet remain committed to meeting community needs.
One of the easiest ways to learn about local organizations — and how to help — is through the Volunteer Centre County platform (volunteercentrecounty.org or the mobile app). The platform highlights 136 nonprofits and lists the volunteer roles and donated goods they currently need. Feeling thankful for the services these groups provide can be expressed in many ways: shopping at nonprofit stores such as The Rivet (gift cards for classes), The Makery Market, CentrePeace, or the Habitat ReStore; donating requested goods listed on the platform; or volunteering your time. Volunteering often brings unexpected benefits, including social connection, enjoyment, a sense of purpose and the satisfaction of helping make Centre County a better place.
Volunteer opportunities on the platform range widely — bowling with Special Olympians, tutoring adult learners, walking dogs or fostering pets, assisting with holiday events, and much more. So far this year, 1,399 people have shown interest in one or more volunteer activities through the platform, demonstrating how many in our community are eager to give back.
As you think about gratitude this season, please remember the local charities working year-round to support our neighbors. Their efforts are a major reason county leaders recently recognized Centre County as one of the best counties in the nation. Supporting our nonprofits can take many forms: shopping at nonprofit stores, donating goods, volunteering, or making a monetary gift. Even small contributions — a household item, an hour spent helping or attendance at a nonprofit event — can make a meaningful difference. You may never know exactly whose life you touch, but every gift matters.
Nearly one-third of all charitable giving occurs in the final quarter of the year, making this a crucial time for nonprofits. Your support — in whatever way you wish to give — helps to ensure that these organizations can continue providing essential services throughout the upcoming year.
Ann Echols is the executive director of Volunteer Centre County.