Latest news with #LuzerneFoundation
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill OBoyle: Make helping 'prevalent' in your life
Apr. 12—WILKES-BARRE — Last week, the Luzerne Foundation held its annual Nonprofit Forum at the Sidney and Pauline Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston. This year, the forum provided $165,000 to 30 area nonprofits in grants. And that is just the tip of the charitable iceberg. David Pedri, president and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, on Thursday said there are many areas of need at each nonprofit organization that are vital to having a safe, happy and healthy community. That is so true — the need is real, and it is growing. Pedri said the Luzerne Foundation, since its inception, is approaching $200 million in grants awarded. The Foundation's assets total more than $80 million, and the organization is home to 487 charitable funds. Talk about impact. "A rising tide lifts all boats," Pedri said. One thing is quite clear — everybody at the Nonprofit Forum had one thing in common — each needed funding to further its mission. And each was worthy of consideration. The problem is, as generous as the Luzerne Foundation is and always has been, the needed help it provides is just not enough to guarantee not just the implementation of new, challenging, needed programs — it cannot guarantee the perpetuation of these organizations that are so needed in our community. The groups that presented their cases are just the tip of the local nonprofit iceberg. There are numerous charities out there that have experienced cutbacks in federal and state funding and with that, the search for new funding sources has become extremely competitive. And that's a shame because most of these organizations provide critical services — providing programs that go beyond their original mission — so much so, should they be reduced, or even eliminated, the effects on the people they serve would be devastating. Whether the cause benefits children, seniors, the mentally and/or physically challenged, the needy or disowned cats and dogs, they all deserve support. The question is: Where will that support come from? The need is year-round. The issues these organizations face daily become more and more demanding as the weeks and months go by. And that is to just keep the status quo — expanding or enhancing services is just a dream. Meeting the current challenges is priority one. The problem is, because of the limited amount of funding out there and the competition to secure donations, growth is just a hope for tomorrow. Throughout history, wise people have offered inspirational quotes to urge others to get involved: Charles Dickens said, "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." Maya Angelou said, "When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed." Poet John Bunyan said, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." These are words, but they are powerful words and should not be dismissed without action. And now is as good a time as ever for action. No one person can solve all the problems out there — it will take a community to heal itself. "We heard from nonprofits of all segments of our community," Pedri said. "We ask that you help where you can. This is about local people helping local people in need." To make an even more significant impact in addressing the needs of our community is for more — many more — organizations and people to get involved. Take some time to think about how you can help others. A few years ago, Pedri said, "One thing is clear — the need is prevalent here." Make helping where you can "prevalent" in your life. And that's why we all have to do our part — follow the Luzerne Foundation's lead — to help where we can. Every one of us has the power to make a difference — if we want to. The Luzerne Foundation says it's "here for good." Let's hope and pray they are. The need isn't going away anytime soon. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Luzerne Foundation's Nonprofit Forum provides $165,000 to 30 area nonprofits
Apr. 3—KINGSTON — David Pedri, president and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, on Thursday said there are many areas of need at each nonprofit organization that are vital to having a safe, happy and healthy community. "The Luzerne Foundation is proud to support these great organizations that are helping others here every day in Northeastern Pennsylvania," Pedri said. The Luzerne Foundation held its annual Nonprofit Forum on Thursday at the Sidney and Pauline Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston. The forum provides $165,000 to area nonprofits in grants. Pedri said 30 local nonprofit organizations offered presentations to the Board of Directors of the Luzerne Foundation. Each nonprofit will receive at least a $5,000 grant and three will receive a $10,000 grant, which will be announced next week. "The Nonprofit Forum allows many different types of nonprofits to tell their story, ranging from larger nonprofits such as the FM Kirby Center and Luzerne County Head Start, to small organizations run completely by volunteers such as TWIGS Restoration Ministry," Pedri said. The Luzerne Foundation received more than 80 grant applications for the Nonprofit Forum, which had to be pared down through an approval process. The Luzerne Foundation also invited other local foundations to sit and listen to Thursday's presentations in hopes that there would be a project they could collaborate on together. "A rising tide lifts all boats and having our other foundation partners at the table is a key piece of how we will continue to move Northeastern Pennsylvania forward," Pedri said. Each nonprofit was also provided with a free ticket to the Luzerne Foundation's Community Champion event that will be held next week at the Westmoreland Club where the three $10,000 winners will be announced. Each of the following nonprofits offered presentations at the event and will receive a $5,000 grant: —F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. —Northeastern Pennsylvania Chamber Music Society. —Philharmonic Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania. —Freeland Recreation Board. —Restored Church. —Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association. —We're Empowered By Science (WEBS). —Helping Hands Society. —Luzerne County Head Start Inc. —Hazleton Integration Project. —Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. —Miller-Keystone Blood Center. —Wild Wellness NEPA. —A Moment of Magic. —Institute for Human Resources and Services. —SPCA of Luzerne County. —Victims Resource Center. —Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania. —St. Joseph's Center. —Sabb Community Living. —TWIGS Restoration Ministry. —United Way. —American Red Cross. —Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono. —Dinners For Kids. —Osterhout Free Library. —Hazleton Area Recreation Program. —Youth Beyond Grateful. —Junior Achievement of NEPA Inc. —Variety the Children's Charity. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
