The generosity of thousands of Lancaster Countians resulted in an astounding $6,134,244.78 raised in the 2015 Extraordinary Give, the 24 hour period that ended at midnight last night.

Columbia’s participating nonprofits benefited as well; one wonders why the other nonprofits, registered with the Internal Revenue Service, with Columbia addresses do not participate in this matching funds initiative.

According to the Extraordinary Give Website, these Columbia nonprofits were listed as participating organizations:

Hands Across The Street –  360 Locust St., Columbia, PA 17512 – 717-684-6271

http://www.columbiahas.org

Hands Across the Street is a faith based grassroots organization that provides first-level assistance to those in Columbia who need a helping hand. Individuals and families in Columbia have found Hands Across the Street to be a compassionate haven that helps to address their immediate needs. HAS has a working relationship with many local social service agencies for referral of guests with needs that are beyond our capability to meet.

National Watch and Clock Museum – 514 Poplar St, Columbia, PA 17512 – 717-684-8261

http://www.museumoftime.org

Largest museum in the world tasked with presenting our shared art, history and science of time and time keeping. The National Watch and Clock Museum was officially opened to the public in 1977 with fewer than 1,000 items. Since that time, the collection has increased to over 12,000 items and the museum has undergone several expansion projects. The latest expansion opened in October 1999 and featured an entirely new and redesigned exhibit space, as well as a new two-story addition. Today, the museum is recognized as the largest and most comprehensive horological collection in North America.

Columbia Crimson Tide Education Foundation – PO Box 548, Columbia, PA 17512 – 717-433-3305

http://www.columbiaef.org/Home.html

The CEF is a non-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is to procure funding through grants, individual and corporate donations, and tax-credit opportunities to support creative and innovative education strategies for students beyond what the school district’s budget can provide. Together, with support from the community, we believe we are making a difference for the future of our students and their education.

Columbia Public Library – 24 South Sixth Street, Columbia, PA 17512 – 717-684-2255

http://www.columbia.lib.pa.us/columbia/site/default.asp

“The World At Your Fingertips” – Our Role in the Community
Providing information, education, entertainment, and support for the citizens of Columbia and surrounding areas.

Columbia Food Bank, 340 Locust Street, Columbia, PA 17512 – 717-449-5101

http://www.columbiafoodbank.org/

OUR MISSION: The Columbia Food Bank promotes health, nutrition, human dignity and potential. The Columbia Food Bank is a 100% volunteer organization and the second largest food bank in Lancaster County. We provide groceries to families and individuals in Columbia, West Hempfield Township, Manor Township, and Mountville. – The number of families and individuals in need of food has been increasing by over 200 households in each of the last three years. – Our greatest challenge is to find and fund a new facility in order to expand our operations to meet the growing needs of the communities we serve. Our current two-story facility requires us to handle the food we receive and distribute 10 times. With the help of people who want to help make our communities thrive through their food and monetary donations, we will continue to feed the hungry far into the future. We believe it is our Legacy and our obligation! OUR VISION: No one should know hunger!

River of Life Health Center, PO Box 468, Columbia, PA 17512 – 717-330-7179

http://www.riveroflifehealth.org

River of Life Health Center provides no cost primary health care and wellness services to individuals who are living in poverty within Columbia and the surrounding areas.

Community Life Network – 510 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA 17512 – 717-684-8094

http://www.Communitylifenetwork.com

The Community Life Network is a community effort seeking to bring together Columbia’s social services: Promote access by providing -Screenings -Referrals -Mentoring Educate about needs and available resources. Provide opportunities for persons to give back services to the Community.

What an ideal opportunity to increase funding that can be channeled back to the community!

Scroll the list of registered nonprofits to see that faith-based programs were involved, as were ambulance companies, libraries and more. One of the top recipients in the Extraordinary Give nearly doubled their annual income levels in one day of giving.  Another with a healthier war chest, garnered over $162,000 for Golden Retrievers.

Check out the Form 990’s for other nonprofits here.

They did this by energizing their supporters; weren’t you besieged with a deluge of emails asking you to donate before the event and all day yesterday.

The Extraordinary Give represents outstanding, and exceptional, opportunity for Lancaster County – and Columbia – to fortify the operating revenue streams of agencies and organizations that provide community benefits for citizens.