Pocono News Section

Charitable Donations Down in Central PA

Charitable Donations Down in Central PA - Monday, November 9, 2009 at 5:55PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Nov 9, 2009 @ 05:55pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

Charitable donations are down in central Pennsylvania. That's cause for concern at the Lycoming County United Way.

Their annual campaign lasts only three more weeks. They're asking community members to think twice and lend a hand.

At the Children's Development Center in Williamsport, dozens of kids receive quality care everyday.

The Reaching Beyond Limits program has been a huge success. It's for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Case Manager Nancy Regopoulos said, "We've had a number of children who have come into that program who were unable to speak, literally had no communication skills whatsoever."

Those children now fully function in area pre-schools and elementary programs.

Physical, speech, and occupational therapy are also provided here. And much of the C. D.C.'s funding comes from the United Way.

Regopoulos noted, "This certainly affords us the opportunity to provide services for a lot of kids who otherwise might not be able to get them."

But at $350,000 raised, the United Way's annual campaign is way behind. That means they might not have the money they need to distribute this year.

L. C.U. W. Director of Funds Distribution Rosann Pelleschi explained, "As the needs get greater in our community, the need for our dollars is greater."

Although their partner agencies would likely survive, United Way representatives say, without continued support, many of the programs they offer could very well cease to exist.

Pelleschi noted, "Every dollar counts and the dollars stay here in Lycoming County to help the friends, neighbors, and families of all your listeners."

Regopoulos added, "Without the United Way's help, many of our programs probably would, at the very best, struggle significantly."

And the C. D.C. is just one of the 40 human service agencies that partner with the Lycoming County United Way.

Last year's United Way campaign raised nearly a million dollars in Lycoming County. Board members say they'll likely extend this year's drive to the end of the year in hopes of catching up.