Press Release
DECEMBER 15, 2020
Media Contact
Macy Whitener
GIVE LOCAL LANCASTER 2020: “SEASON OF GIVING” Campaign raises $253,424 for local organizations
LANCASTER, S.C. – At their annual meeting today, the Arras Foundation announced that Give Local Lancaster raised $253,424, a new record for the community’s annual giving campaign. The campaign, which ran from Sunday, November 15 (National Philanthropy Day) to December 1 (Giving Tuesday) of this year, benefits 56 local nonprofit organizations in Fort Lawn, Great Falls, and Lancaster County.
Give Local Lancaster 2020, originally scheduled for May 5, was postponed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the Foundation joined with the United Way of Chester County and the United Way of Lancaster County to launch the Catawba Connect COVID-19 Relief Fund on March 20, 2020. To date, Catawba Connect has raised $154,000 to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on area residents through grants, communication, and advocacy. Over 40 volunteers lead the Catawba Connect COVID-19 relief efforts.
“We are inspired by the generosity of the people of this community,” said Jodie Plyler, Chair of the Arras Foundation. “It takes all of us working together, using what we have, to care for our neighbors and strengthen the places we call home, and that’s exactly what our community has done in this Give Local Lancaster Season of Giving.”
Launched in 2016, Give Local Lancaster is an annual giving campaign designed to support causes that matter to the people of Fort Lawn, Great Falls, and Lancaster County. Since its inception, Give Local Lancaster has raised over $614,000 to support more than 50 local non-profit organizations each year. This year’s campaign set a new giving record of $253,424, an increase of 22% more than the 2019 campaign.
Give Local Lancaster partners since 2016 include the City of Lancaster, the Lancaster County Community Foundation, and Partners for Youth of Lancaster County. For the 2020 campaign, the United Way of Lancaster County joined the effort with a “Virtual Week of Caring” event.
“Together with these 56 participating local nonprofits we set out to host an ‘unprecedented’ campaign to create meaningful, positive, and lasting impact for our community,” said Ashley Collins, Community Engagement Specialist of the Arras Foundation. “After 17 days of this Season of Giving, I am overwhelmed by the unprecedented kindness and collective strength of the people of this region.”
For more information about Give Local Lancaster, please see www.GiveLocalLancaster.org
Give Local Lancaster
Launched in 2016 by the Arras Foundation, The City of Lancaster, Lancaster County Community Foundation, and Partners For Youth – Lancaster County, Give Local Lancaster is a giving campaign to support causes that matter to the people of Fort Lawn, Great Falls, and all of Lancaster County. www.GiveLocalLancaster.org
Arras Foundation
Dedicated to the health and wellness of all residents of Lancaster County, Fort Lawn, and Great Falls, SC for 25 years, the Foundation joins with partners to work together so that all people can thrive. www.arrasfoundation.org
The City of Lancaster
The City of Lancaster, also known as the “Red Rose City,” is located in the northcentral part of South Carolina. The City of Lancaster is home to more than 9,100 residents. For the latest news and updates about city government, visit https://www.lancastercitysc.com/.
Lancaster County Community Foundation
Established in 1988 as a permanent endowment, the Lancaster County Community Foundation benefits a wide range of charitable purposes in Lancaster County. As an affiliate of Charlotte-based Foundation For The Carolinas, the Lancaster County Community Foundation inspires philanthropy, increases charitable giving and strengthens the community. For more information please visit www.lancastercounty-cf.org.
Lancaster County Partners For Youth
Partners For Youth is an independent, nonprofit partnership built on the generosity of the community, individuals, businesses, and educational institutions of South Carolina. We strive to enrich Lancaster County by educating every child, empowering every teacher, and elevating every school. https://www.lcpartnersforyouth.org/
United Way of Lancaster County
Our mission is to improve lives by bringing citizens and resources together to identify and respond to human service needs in Lancaster County. www.uwaylcsc.org
