Community fundraisers

These events are an important part of our fundraising for a couple reasons. First, they require minimal staff time or resources from us. We help promote. We might provide some marketing materials. But they cost us almost nothing.

Second, the sheer number of them is testament to the high regard Schreiber is held across Lancaster County. They happen throughout the year, from the Lititz Chocolate Walk in October and the Italian Day Dinner in January to the various give-back nights at local restaurants that dot the calendar. When people are thinking about community groups to support, we are clearly top of mind.

Right now, for example, we have a handful of community groups raising money on our behalf. This weekend, the Clark Foundation is hosting its third annual Derby Day, a party to celebrate the Kentucky Derby and raise money for Schreiber and the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation. It should be a fun time that will help two organizations serving children in the community.

On the night of May 12, Isaac’s will donate 25 percent of its food and beverage sales to Schreiber’s Helping Hands Campaign.

We even have youngsters putting their time and talents to work on our behalf. Laurie Fellenbaum’s second-grade class at Schaeffer Elementary School has organized two events. On May 11, they will work with Rita’s in Lititz, hosting face painting and other fun as Rita’s donates a portion of the sales that night to Schreiber. Then on May 29, the students are organizing the Fellenbaum Fun Fair, complete with games, raffle baskets and T-shirt sales, at the school’s Spring Fling. They even made a video of their pitch to the school’s PTO.

Maybe the most important thing about all these fundraisers: They add up. Each year, the combined total amounts to significant dollars, as much as 10 percent of our total revenue. And given the recent decision by the United Way to eliminate funding for Schreiber for the next three years, this kind of support will likely become even more important to us.

So if you are a local group, and you’re looking to do some community fundraising, Schreiber would be more than happy to talk to you.

And for those groups who have generously raised money on our behalf in the past, we say, again, “Thank you. And hope to see you again soon.”
Second graders from Schaeffer Elementary School make their Schreiber pitch to the school’s PTO.

– Video courtesy of Jon Hill, Schreiber board member and father of Charlie, a student in Mrs. Fellenbaum’s class

Just in the past month, I got a call from Gary Fern, chef at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. He had entered the Lititz Fire and Ice Festival Chili Cook-Off, and competitiors were required to raise money for a charity, so he called us.

Then at the end of February, a news alert popped up in my Inbox. A group called the Danville German Society, out of Montour County, had raised money for three local charities with its annual Elk Toss event. Don’t worry: These hearty German-Americans don’t use real elk (they weigh, like, 800 pounds). It’s a tribute to a German tradition from the old country, and they use the occasion for fun and fundraising. This year, Schreiber was one of the beneficiaries.

Then Jessica Shellenberger, a teacher and coach at Donegal High School, rallied Donegal students to raise money for Schreiber. She coaxed a couple dozen high school kids to stay on their feet for 16 hours, dancing, playing games and hanging out.

These three events combined will bring in several thousand dollars to Schreiber. That’s money that will help us provide services to any family that comes through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. And we didn’t have to do anything for it. Except say thank you.

So thank you, Dutch Apple, Danville German Society and Donegal. In the middle of a cold, snowy winter, you warmed our hearts.

Just this week, we had a bunch of guys from Hempfield High School’s lacrosse team in to spend time with the child care kiddos. The little ones, of course, love to hang out with their new friends. And the big, tough lax players sit on the floor and play with blocks or stuffed animals.

Mostly, it’s a fun two-hour break.

But there’s some learning that happens, too. Like if the athletes see one of our kiddos struggle to stand up out of his wheelchair — just for a second. From that one small moment, they know a little bit more about what we do, and about how fortunate they are.

We have other student groups come in periodically to work around the building. They might clean, put up holiday decorations, or spend time as Swim Buddies. They might volunteer at our summer camps or one of our special events.

Some go even further, organizing fundraising events to provide financial support for Schreiber. The golf team at Lancaster Catholic High School raised more than $10,000 in the fall. Students from Donegal High School are having a dance marathon this Friday night into Saturday. You can support Donegal students through their online fundraising page at FirstGiving.com.

We treasure all these generous gifts of time and money. Lancaster County is full of young people who want to give to their community. We’re fortunate that so many of them want to give to Schreiber.