Changes to fundraising activities due to COVID-19 restrictions have actually worked out well for some area non-profit organizations.
In October, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging’s annual Anne S. Thacik auction went virtual due to COVID restrictions, but this move benefited the charity.
“Without having the expenses of the event, we actually did a bit better,” said Fundraiser/Event Specialist Rhonda Vaughn. More people actually participated than normal as it was streamed on Facebook Live, she explained.
In all, 1,728 people were involved with 250 users registered on the auction Web site. And 110 different people bid on the items.
Many new people participated because we “made it easier,” she said.
This is the CCAAA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, which is why they could not give up on it. They had a profit of $26,950, which is $1,000 more than the 2019 event.
In the spring when the county was still in the “yellow” phase, Corner Concert Series organizer Steve Albert wasn’t sure the summer event would be possible.
The Corner Concert Series was started as a fundraiser for the Ritz Theater eight years ago, but it has continued with a different charity benefiting from the summer event each year.
He had already talked with Clearfield Borough officials about moving the concerts from Shaw Park near the Ritz Theater to Lower Witmer Park to allow for social distancing.
Luckily, just before the first concert the county moved into the “green” phase allowing bigger outdoor events.
Having the concerts depended on being able to pay the musicians.
Normally while they play donations are collected with the funds being split between the bands and the charity featured by the CCS.
Because many of the bands had been unable to perform at all for months, Albert decided to find sponsors to guarantee the performers would be paid.
This decision along with an increase in the attendance that saw between 120 to 150 people each week, allowed Albert to collect $2,767 for the Bob E. Day Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Last year the series only raised about $800.
Albert thanked his sponsors, WOKW 102.9FM and BioGraphics for making this possible.
Because of the success, Albert is planning on the concerts being in Lower Witmer Park again next summer.
The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund, which raises money to help cancer patients with expenses, turned to a special GoFundMe campaign to try to cover the loss of their annual fundraisers.
This organization has distributed more than two million dollars to individuals in Blair, Centre, Clearfield and Huntingdon counties in 14 years.
“Because the pandemic has caused the cancellation of six key fundraising events, the Bob Perks Fund is experiencing a huge decrease in donations during 2020,” said Development Coordinator Marjann Young in a recent press release.
To fund every eligible cancer patient application through Dec. 31, the Bob Perks Fund needs $50,000. Currently $25,000 is in hand because the generous sponsors of cancelled events asked for their event sponsorship dollars be retained by the Bob Perks Fund to help cancer patients.
Their “Strive for 25,” which was designed to raise $25,000 in 25 days to match the funds already received, ended up raising $26,755 in this manner.
Challenges remain for those still hoping to raise money this year.
The Salvation Army’s Clearfield branch held their Red Kettle Kick-off event as a combination virtual auction with a special drive-thru meal replacing their annual dinner.
This did well with “people really responding”, said Linda Swatsworth, children’s director.
Their auction on Facebook is continuing as more items arrive, she stated and everyone is encouraged to check their page, The Salvation Army, Clearfield, PA Corps, for more information.
The annual kettle campaign that runs through Christmas raises funds, not just for its Christmas work but for all the Salvation’s Army’s regular programs for the following year.
We will still be seeing bell ringers and kettles at local businesses with a few changes. They will be wearing masks and be standing six feet from the kettle, which they will wipe off continuously through their shifts, Swatsworth said.
Plans are still in place for their Christmas gift and food distribtuions for families. However, this year they will be distributed “drive-up style,” she said.
Volunteers will also be soliciting donations by hanging donation envelopes on local doors. They will not knock or talk to people to limit their exposure to others.
Throughout the year, they offer an after-school program, which is still providing food, crafts and more to children because they cannot have them in the building.
While children were off from schoool, they provided 36,000 lunches at six different sites, Swatsworth stated.
In additon they have a food pantry, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you want to support its efforts, you can donate by sending funds to its 119 Byers St., Clearfield PA 16830, address or you can call at 814-765-4981.
You an also call if you want to volunteer to help with their Christmas fundraising efforts or if you would like to apply for help this holiday season.
The Clearfield Area United Way did a virtual kick-off to its annual fall fundraising effort on the radio courtesy of WOKW 102.9FM in October.
“We did an in-house remote where we talked to some of our member agencies,” said Nancy Pinto, chief professional officer.
She explained this was a way to get the word out and during the two-hour event, they were able to answer many questions about what they do.
Because of the pandemic “our needs have expanded,” Pinto said with many of their 23 member agencies desperately needing assistance.
Organizations they support include the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America Bucktail Council, Girl Scouts of Western PA, Catholic Charities, Clearfield County League on Social Services, Clearfield/Jefferson Community Mental Health Center, local libraries, YMCAs and many other social service groups.
Their goal is the same as last year, $210,000 which they will try to collect with pledges, payroll deductions and their mail-in donation campaign.
Debbie Bowser, president, noted their 60 volunteers are working hard on their campaign.
They appreciate all the help they get and encourage people to make donations on their Web site, clearfieldareaunitedway.org through Paypal or send checks to their office at 18 N. Second St., P.O. Box 1430, Clearfield, PA 16830.