Week of Giving begins today

From staff reports

The second annual Week of Giving sponsored by Bridge Builders Community Foundation starts today.

The Week of Giving event kicks off at 8 a.m. today and will run through 11 p.m. Friday.

The collective philanthropy event will be prorated through the foundation and will allow donors to give to numerous nonprofits throughout Clarion, Forest and Venango counties as well as the community of Punxsutawney.

“Whether it’s $25 or $1,000, any contribution toward the Week of Giving supports the organizations making a difference in our region,” said Trenton Moulin, executive director of Bridge Builders.

“This campaign isn’t only about donations; it’s about educating people on our community’s needs and the nonprofits that are meeting those needs,” Moulin said. “So many nonprofits of all sizes are making our area a better place and we want to celebrate that and showcase all that charities do in our area,” he said.

According to Moulin, BBCF was able to give almost $104,000 from more than 300 donors to 88 local nonprofits and funds last year, with a total of $20,000 in matching funds provided by local businesses.

He said he expects the numbers to exceed those amounts this year.

Among the participating nonprofits includes:

Venango Museum – The Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry hopes to raise $1,500 through the week-long Bridge Builders fundraiser. The money would be used in the museum’s continuing mission to preserve Venango County and the Oil Region heritage, as it has done for 57 years.

All of the nonprofit agencies and organizations that are participating in the fundraiser are listed on the Bridge Builders’ website.

For more information about the campaign, visit www.BBCFgives.org.