10th Annual Centre Gives Kicks Off on Tuesday

Update 10 p.m. May 11: Through its first 12 hours, Centre Gives has raised $1,387,886, according to Centre Foundation. The online giving event supporting Centre County nonprofit organizations continues until 9 p.m. on May 12.

Original story:

The past year has been a challenging one for local nonprofits, with the COVID-19 pandemic increasing demand for many services while also hindering the ability for organizations to hold the typical fundraising events that help them operate.

Starting on Tuesday morning, community members can join Centre Foundation’s yearly event that provides much needed support for the local nonprofit community.

The 10th annual Centre Gives, a 36-hour online giving event, gets underway at 9 a.m. Tuesday and continues through 9 p.m. on Wednesday at CentreGives.org.

Since 2012, Centre Gives has raised more than $10.3 million for nonprofits working in the areas of arts, animals, education, environment, health and social services and more. Last year, the event shattered its previous record total with nearly $2.2 million raised for 180 participating organizations.

Like last year, Centre Foundation is providing more ways for donors to help local nonprofits.

The Centre Gives stretch pool will once again be $300,000. The stretch pool allows gifts to go farther: the more money a nonprofit raises, the greater its share of the pool.

Each year Centre Foundation has provided a $100,000 stretch pool. As it did last year, the foundation is redirecting another $100,000 from other granting programs to the stretch pool to help encourage more giving to nonprofits during the event.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Hamer Foundation also has donated $100,000 for the stretch pool.

“We are so grateful to the Hamer Foundation for their generosity,” Molly Kunkel, executive director of Centre Foundation, said in a statement. “As our community continues to cope with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, these funds will stretch donor dollars even further, creating an even bigger impact for our nonprofit community.”

Available prize pool money for the friendly competitions that take place throughout the event has increased to $40,000 for the second consecutive year.

As in 2020, the minimum gift during Centre Gives has been lowered from the usual $25 to $10, giving more community members an opportunity to support nonprofits.

Some organizations will hold special events to raise awareness and boost giving. Centre Safe, for example, is hosting a staff pet show at noon on Tuesday on its Facebook page.

“We’re hoping to show a different side of us during Centre Gives,” Sarah McPherson, Centre Safe director of outreach and education, said.

Centre Region Parks and Recreation, which is focusing its Centre Gives fundraising on its Youth Scholarships Program, will automatically enter its Centre Gives donors into a Lucky Duck Derby race. CRPR will race the rubber ducks on Friday and the winner will receive a “quacktacular summer swag bag.”

Gifts can be made to any participating nonprofit organizations at CentreGives.org and community members can follow along on social media by searching #CentreGives to see the latest updates and fun atmosphere among participating nonprofits.

Centre Gives Virtual Events:

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Housing Transitions – Centre Gives Tea Time with Professor of Geography, Dr. Emily Rosenman – 3-4 p.m.
Professor of Geography, Dr. Emily Rosenman, and her students will present findings from their project looking at the influx of luxury student rentals in the State College Borough. They will also talk about Penn State’s role in the housing market, and help us to understand the unique factors at play in our region.
Info:http://bit.ly/HousingTransitionsTeaTime

State College Area Roller Derby – Derby Trivia with SCAR Derby – 5-6 p.m.
Join State College Area Roller Derby for an hour of Derby-related trivia. There will be questions on topics of varying degrees of difficulty and derby familiarity, and a return of the signature SCAR Derby cocktails.
Info:http://bit.ly/SCARDerbyTrivia

Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra – Happy Half Hour – 5:30-6 p.m.
Join the PCO for a celebratory Happy Half Hour to kick-off Centre Gives 2021. Email [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Centre County Paws – Virtual Yappy Hour – 6-7 p.m.
Virtual Yappy Hour with the animals in charge of the shelter. Parody of “The Office.”
Info:http://bit.ly/PAWS_YappyHour

Mid-State Literacy Council – Literacy for Life…How Books Help Us – 6-7 p.m.
Treasured books are our companions and tour guides, leading us to new places. Books entertain, teach, and shape us into community members. Treasured books connect us with others as we share what we read. Share your treasured books and stories with the Mid-State Literacy Council’s community in a meaningful conversation on Zoom.
Info:http://bit.ly/MidStateLiteracyDiscussion

One Dog at a Time ODAAT – Not All Super Heroes Wear Capes – 7- 7:45 p.m.
An interview with One Dog at a Time (ODAAT) Director, Kari Coble.
Info:http://bit.ly/ODAATZoom
Meeting ID: 843 2678 7502 Passcode: HD2W5m

Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania – A Brief Look Inside PASCP – 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for a Livestream of our in-studio classes and rehearsals; including a guest appearance by Broadway choreographer, Chase Brock, as he rehearses one of our dancers.
Info: http://bit.ly/PASCPLivestream

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Out of the Cold: Centre County – Facebook Live Tour of Permanent Shelter 11- 11:30 a.m.
Join OOTC for a tour of its Day Shelter and Resource Center, the future home of its permanent shelter.
Info:http://bit.ly/OOTCVirtualTour

Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center – Welcome to Rising Hope 11:30 a.m. – noon
Virtual tour of the facilities, meet the horses, learn about our programs.
Info:http://bit.ly/RisingHopeVirtualTour

Centre County PAWS – Motivational Power Hour noon-1 p.m.
Animals participating in motivational activities, olympic style and interactive.
Info: http://bit.ly/PAWSMotivationalPowerHour

Mid-State Literacy Council – Literacy for Life…How Books Help Us noon – 1 p.m.
Treasured books are our companions and tour guides, leading us to new places. Books entertain, teach, and shape us into community members. Treasured books connect us with others as we share what we read. Share your treasured books and stories with the Mid-State Literacy Council’s community in a meaningful conversation on Zoom.
Info:http://bit.ly/MidStateLiteracyDisussionSession2

State College Area Roller Derby – Mid-day Move with SCAR Derby noon – 1 p.m.
Get up and get moving with SCAR Derby. A member of SCAR will guide you through a midday exercise routine to get the blood pumping and help you over that mid-week hump.
Info:http://bit.ly/SCARDerbyMiddayMove

Easterseals of Western and Central PA – Wine Down Wednesday 5-6 p.m.
Easterseals is partnering with University Wine Company to host “Wine Down Wednesday.” Join in for an hour on Facebook to learn about wine and wine pairings. You can ask questions, make a donation to the campaign and learn about what the Child Development Center does in our community.
Info: http://bit.ly/EastersealsWineDownWednesday

Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania – A Brief Look Inside PASCP 6-7 p.m.
Join PASCP for a Livestream of in-studio classes and rehearsals – including “Four Seasons” by Broadway choreographer Chase Brock.
Info:http://bit.ly/PASCPLivestreamSession2

Centre Social Dance – Virtual CSD: Centre Gives 7-10 p.m.
Virtual dance event featuring a belly dance lesson at 7 p.m. and DJ’d music from 8 to 10 p.m.
Info:http://bit.ly/CSDDanceEvent

3 Dots Downtown – 3 Dots Presents…Match Game: Centre County 7:30-9 p.m.
Get ready to match these Centre County stars! Join 3 Dots on Facebook Live as we play the star-studded “Match Game: Centre County.” Play to win groovy prizes or watch the show from the comfort of your own living room.
Facebook live: http://bit.ly/3DotsMatchGame