COVID RESILIENCE: Coping with change in the face of a pandemic

Inside Pennsylvania welcomes guest columnist from Valley Voices in Sharon, Pa.

Story by Sara Rupp for the Primary Health Network

If you could define the COVID-19 pandemic in a song, which would it be? Chances are that the theme song may have changed quite frequently over the course of the last two years. For those at Primary Health Network, our theme song started out with, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” which then evolved into, “If You’re Going Through Hell, Keep On Moving,” and, as of recently, “Rise Up,” by Andra Day — a song that celebrates perseverance, courage and confidence. The global coronavirus pandemic has and continues to change the world at a rapid pace. Millions of people have perished worldwide, economies have faltered and political and racial divisions continue to widen. However, as the song says, “Youʼre broken down and tired

Of living life on a merry-go-round And you canʼt find the fighter But I see it in you, so we gonna walk it out

And move mountains And Iʼll rise up…” So how do we, as individuals and as a community, persevere in a world that tells us otherwise? Here are some tips for coping and practicing resilience: ● Give grace: With new challenges comes stress. Living through an ever-changing public crisis has placed pressure and emphasis on us to grow and set higher intentions for our lives. Stop comparing yourself to others and set realistic expectations. ● Continue to connect socially: Check in on family members, friends, colleagues. ● Proactively manage stress: Move your body, do your best to get adequate sleep, eat healthy and practice mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness focuses on being aware of what you’re feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. ● Focus on the good: The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it a plethora of side effects — and some of them are surprisingly positive; specifically in health care and medicine. Some advancements include improvements to vaccine development, remote health care and advanced viral diagnostics and treatments. Examples of those advanced diagnostics and testing include monoclonal antibody treatments, a treatment that can be used on eligible, nonhospitalized patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms, and as of recently, the FDA approved an oral antiviral for treatment of COVID-19. COVID fatigue is real, but it is important to recognize that this difficult time will pass, and whether we like it or not, preventative measures such as hand washing, social distancing, wearing a mask and vaccination continue to reduce COVID-19 spread and hospitalization rates worldwide. The art of being resilient is to view change as an opportunity that better aligns your priorities with your purpose. So let’s focus less on fear, anxiety and hopelessness, and more on a sense of hope and satisfaction in our overall lives, so that our theme song can finally change to “Here Comes the Sun.” IPA ● Sara Rupp is the marketing director for the corporate and community relations department at Primary Health Network, located in Sharon.

SARA RUPP

Robert Inglis/Inside Pennsylvania CHRISTINE ORLANDO, LEFT, SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER, HOLLY MORRISON, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AND KARA SEESHOTZ, CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER. STAND WITH THE GIVING TREE AT THE COMMUNITY GIVING FOUNDATION IN BERWICK.

They’re not fairy godmothers, but community giving foundations often work behind the scenes to help make impossible things happen every day. Thousands of people most likely have no idea about the ways in which they benefit from these busy benefactors. Community foundations use a simple formula: Philanthropists donate money, foundations invest it and then award the proceeds to various nonprofit agencies. In Central Pennsylvania, there are two foundations: Community Giving Foundation, based in Berwick, and First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, based in Williamsport.

Kendra Aucker, president and CEO, Evangelical Community Hospital, in Lewisburg, is in the unique position of having worked with both foundations. She served 10 years as a board member and former chair “THE ONLY THING THAT of the Community Giving CONNECTS ALL DONORS IS A DESIRE TO IMPROVE LOCAL Foundation and she is now a board member of the First Community COMMUNITIES.” Foundation Partnership. “I am a huge proponent of — KENDRA AUCKER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, community foundations,” EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Aucker said. “The only thing that connects all donors is a desire to improve local communities.” She pointed out that, while most nonprofit organizations have a specific mission, a community foundation’s mission is very general: To improve the

Story by Cindy O. Herman

quality of life in a given area.

When the Berwick Hospital was sold in 1998, a group of individuals used the profits to create the Berwick Health and Wellness Foundation. “The founding fathers of this Foundation had wonderful foresight in giving back,” said Holly Morrison, D.Ed., president and CEO of the Community Giving Foundation. By 2003, the Berwick Health and Wellness Foundation adopted a community foundation business model and expanded to become the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, serving people in Columbia, lower-Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. On Dec. 7, 2020, the Foundation was renamed the Community Giving Foundation, and a new logo was created with a tree showing growth and support on a gently curving arc representing the Foundation’s status

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JENNIFER D. WILSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE FIRST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP OF PENNSYLVANIA, LEFT, AND ERIN RUHL, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, STAND IN THE LUMINARY OF LEGACY STAIRWELL, WHERE EACH PLAQUE REPRESENTS A PHILANTHROPIC DONOR. Cindy O. Herman

Photo provided MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY GIVING FOUNDATION: SUNBURY ARE PICTURED WITH THE STUDENTS WHO WERE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2019. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: SKYE BOSTIAN, KRISTEN SCHOLL, ELISE KEENEY AND LANEY KAUFFMAN. BACK ROW FROM LEFT: SACF BOARD MEMBERS: JEFF HOLLENBACH, DONNA SPANGLER BOOP, ADAM PURDY, JOHN D. APPLE, CRAIG DEFAZIO AND STEVE ENGLE.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 as an umbrella organization that manages the funds of community-minded individuals and businesses. The umbrella also shelters five affiliate foundations: Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove and Sunbury.

Donors are passionate about their personal causes and Kara Seesholtz, chief advancement officer at the Community Giving Foundation, encourages them to think about what it is they want to accomplish in giving. She noted there are different ways of donating funds — through cash, stocks, planned gifts, etc. The Community Giving Foundation investments are overseen by Wilmington Trust as part of the M&T family of companies. By pooling their financial resources, the Foundation can obtain an optimal return on investment, which provides the income to fund grants and scholarships. “That’s the big advantage of the community foundation,” said Christine Orlando, senior program officer. “Pooling the funds allows greater return on the investment.” “As it grows, a community foundation gradually becomes a center for charitable giving in a community,” Aucker said. “They help make connections between the people who want to give and the people who need their support.” While sitting and talking with people who want to establish a permanent endowment or contribute to a nonprofit agency, Seesholtz has a front-row seat to the passion behind the donors’ wishes. “In the end, it’s so rewarding,” she said. The Community Giving Foundation awards grants to nonprofit groups in each of its geographical regions. They host competitive grant rounds which permit agencies to apply for funds, which normally results in more requests than they can fill. For example, Community Giving Foundation: Danville annually provides a competitive grant round from their Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund. An advisory group evaluates the applications to determine the programs and projects that have demonstrated a compelling need for support. While funding a grant is rewarding, these groups are seldom able to fund every request. At the same time, the Foundation encourages collaboration and support with multiple funding sources and assists in helping nonprofits understand other available funding opportunities. “Working closely with nonprofits in the region, you see the caring and passion in the things they do,” Orlando said. She has the happy job of letting area agencies know they’ve been awarded grant dollars, and she recalled memorable times. “I mean, I’ve had people cry on the

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First Community Partnership of Pennsylvania oversees the yearly Raise the Region campaign in Central Pennsylvania. During a 30-hour time slot in March, community members are encouraged to support local nonprofits through online giving. As an indication of the dedication FCFP has to the community, the Foundation created Raise the Region when one of their staff members attended a conference and won free web design and first-year software fees to create an online giving day platform. Even though the initial venture would take a lot of work to pull together in a short time, FCFP decided to go for it. “He won this prize, and we couldn’t say no,” said Jennifer D. Wilson, president and CEO of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. “We challenged ourselves as a staff to go out and find a business partner and sponsors. Blaise Alexander was our first phone call, and he said yes right away.” Additional businesses came on board, donating money to stretch the funding and create prize money. Since starting in 2013, Raise the Region has collectively received over $12 million in donations for the registered organizations. Nonprofit groups register for the campaign and encourage their donors to give.

Through philanthropic donations, Raise the Region earned $2,030,674 to benefit 272 nonprofit organizations last year. The 30-hour online fundraiser had thousands of donors make 14,157 gifts. “These results represent a 42 percent increase over last year and are the most successful to date,” said Wilson, “I’m incredibly proud of our team, inspired by the community and grateful for the FCFP Board of Directors’ commitment to this fundraising platform that serves area nonprofits.”

CELEBRATING THE RECEIPT OF A 2021 GRANT FOR THE SUNBURY YMCA CHILDCARE PROGRAM FROM THE COMMUNITY GIVING FOUNDATION: SUNBURY ARE BONNIE MCDOWELL, LEFT, CEO, KATRINA MOUERY AND ANN BAUSINGER, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE CHILD CARE PROGRAM, NICOLE SCHROYER, CHILD CARE DIRECTOR AND DONNA SOCIA, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 phone when they found out they were getting a grant,” she said. “Then I’m really humbled because I’m just the messenger. They’re the ones making lives better through their projects and programs.” “Area nonprofits benefit from having a local community foundation because it helps money stay in the community,” Aucker said. “Another benefit to local nonprofits is, besides having local grant money available, some nonprofits ask the community foundation to manage an endowment on their own behalf.” Along with grants, private donors can set up funds to award scholarships. Morrison talked about seeing scholarship recipients sitting with their donors at awards ceremonies and the legacy those scholarships create. “It’s just really powerful,” she said of the cycle of receiving philanthropic donations and granting funds to worthwhile endeavors. “Those resources that have been created tell stories.” Morrison also noted the importance of the individuals who serve on the Foundation’s board and the affiliate boards. “They’re our ambassadors,” she said. “They volunteer their time. We’re indebted to them for the job they do to support our mission.” Saying the work of the Foundation is very humbling, she added, “It’s all about enriching the lives of people in our neighborhoods.”

Photo provided CELEBRATING THE RECEIPT OF A 2021 GRANT FOR THE SUNBURY YMCA CHILDCARE PROGRAM FROM THE COMMUNITY GIVING FOUNDATION: SUNBURY ARE BONNIE MCDOWELL, LEFT, CEO, KATRINA MOUERY AND ANN BAUSINGER, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE CHILD CARE PROGRAM, NICOLE SCHROYER, CHILD CARE DIRECTOR AND

Philanthropists among us donate gifts to fund a variety of causes. The Hause children established a fund to honor their parents’ lifetime of community work in Danville with a fund to support the work of those organizations forever. Many donors have established funds to support their love and concern for pets. Organizations like the Greater Susquehanna YMCA, Sunbury depend on grants to fund basic programs for children as well as the “extras” that make life special.

The original curving staircase winds gracefully from the first to the third floor of the former Ross Club, now home to the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP). The wall around the stairs displays the names of the Foundation’s many donors, beginning with the largest donor: The James B. Graham Fund, established in 1961 and boasting a current asset value of more than $15 million. “I think the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania is fortunate in that we have a really long history of doing good work in the community,” said Jennifer D. Wilson, president and CEO of the First Community Partnership of Pennsylvania. “FCFP has done an excellent job of encouraging and facilitating more private philanthropy through our region,” said Teri MacBride, an FCFP board member. “The size of the funds under their stewardship has really grown and performed in impressive ways through the years.”

Community foundations didn’t exist until 1914, when Frederick H. Goff, a banker and lawyer in Cleveland, convinced wealthy philanthropists to pool and invest their money to create a permanent endowment to

Robert Inglis/The Daily Item IN THIS PHOTO FROM 2019, FAITH HANCOCK OF THE DANVILLE SPCA PLAYS WITH TITO. ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVOCATE FOR THE WELFARE OF PETS ARE WELL-REPRESENTED AT OUR AREA FOUNDATIONS.

Along with wisely investing money so that its value grows and can be channeled to help where it is needed, Community Giving Foundation invests in another resource they hope will continue to grow and help where needed: children. The Youth in Philanthropy program teaches students in 12 area high schools to assess youth-related needs in their district and award grants with $5,000 given to each school through generous donors. “The students create their own needs assessment. They create their own application, and they make decisions about how to prioritize the grants,” said Holly Morrison, D.Ed., president and CEO of Community Giving Foundation. “They must utilize leadership and team skills, because just like in our own foundation, they receive requests for more than they have to distribute.” Grants have been awarded to dozens of programs, from food pantries to swimming pools, sports programs to special needs camps, and mental health initiatives to beds for kids. “These students serve on advisory committees for us,” said Christine Orlando, senior program officer. “I can learn where the needs of youth are from them. The needs vary in different districts, so they teach us a lot about their communities.” The students also teach elementary school children about philanthropy, passing the idea on even further. “Through the years we’ve collected reflection statements from students at the awards ceremony,” said Kara G. Seesholtz, chief advancement officer. “A lot of the statements are powerful. You really feel you brought something good to their life.” “We hope they’ll learn what the community foundation does,” Morrison said, “and hopefully, when they’re older, they’ll have an understanding of how they can participate in community philanthropy.”

● Benton ● Berwick ● Central Columbia ● Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech ● Danville ● Line Mountain ● Midd-West ● Millville ● Northwest ● Selinsgrove ● Shikellamy ● Warrior Run

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 benefit community charities. Two years later, a group of bankers founded the Williamsport Foundation, the first community foundation in Pennsylvania, with a hopeful $33 in donations. The first grants were bestowed in 1930, while citizens across the nation struggled through the Great Depression. “FCFP serves as the keepers of people’s legacies,” Wilson said. “Philanthropists choose to work with community foundations so they can continue to support nonprofits and other community needs beyond their lifetime. It is our vision to create powerful communities through passionate giving.” “The Foundation’s grantmaking is generated by hundreds of funds annually,” Ruhl said. “The funds displayed throughout the Luminary of Legacy stairway are permanently endowed and will benefit the region in perpetuity. Each plaque represents a fund and the philanthropic passion of its founder.” Foundations succeed because they can pool donated funds to receive a stronger return on investment. They are also flexible enough to evolve as society’s needs change. For example, if gifts were designated to benefit an orphanage, and the orphanage closes, those funds can be redirected to other children’s causes in the community. In 2004, FCFP expanded into a regional foundation. Today it serves North Central Pennsylvania, primarily in Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. Through donors and their geographic area funds and scholarships, it also reaches into Bradford, Clinton, Columbia, Potter,

Photo provided SOJOURNER TRUTH MINISTRIES, INC., IN WILLIAMSPORT, RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE WILLIAMSPORT LYCOMING COMMUNITY FUND FOR RENOVATIONS TO A NEWLY PURCHASED DUPLEX. FROM LEFT: BRIAN BLUTH, BOARD CHAIR OF FCFP; ANGELIQUE LABADIE-CIHANOWYZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOJOURNER TRUTH MINISTRIES, INC.; MAIGRETTE POLANCO, BOARD PRESIDENT OF SOJOURNER TRUTH MINISTRIES, INC.; AND BETTY GILMOUR, DIRECTOR OF GRANTMAKING AT FCFP.

Sullivan and Tioga counties.

Finding concrete examples of how FCFP helps local citizens is as breezy as a walk through Rider Park. This 867-acre Lycoming County woodland with hiking and biking trails is owned and operated by the Foundation. Local libraries, community theatres, historical societies, health care centers, schools, YMCAs and countless social service agencies have been beneficiaries of the Foundation’s grantmaking. The fact is, people throughout the North Central region benefit from foundation-enriched agencies every day. FCFP provided grants to 378 organizations in 2021. “We also have a lot of resources that make us uniquely poised to respond in emergency conditions,” Wilson said. She mentioned floods and other natural disasters, but also something as unprecedented as the initial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. “I think, more so than other entities, FCFP has been able to bring agencies together to support our community,” she said. FCFP quickly reached out to the local United Way organizations and the Charles B. Degenstein Foundation to create a support grant for nonprofits to receive emergency funding. “We established a single platform for donors to offer support when so many things were shutting down,” Wilson said. “FCFP was also instrumental in bringing our three health care systems — Geisinger, UPMC and Evangelical Community Hospital — together to create a public health campaign for folks to focus on what we all needed to do to keep our communit(ies) safe.”

Whether through time, talent or treasure, people like the idea of supporting a community foundation because they want to leave their community a better place. “Generosity is not best measured by what is in your wallet, but by what is in your heart,” Wilson said. “Anyone can be a philanthropist.” First Community Foundation Partnership helps donors create a legacy that supports their passions forever, be it through a donation to a fundraiser like Raise the Region, or with an investment to start a particular fund. “Making a donation through the community foundation is like your one-stop shop,” Ruhl said. “We will take care of all the back-end matters, like receipts to donors, tax information, and so on.” “I think they do well by connecting individuals who have the motivation to be philanthropic, but don’t necessarily have the connections or knowledge about the many nonprofits that can put funds to good use,” MacBride said. “Because FCFP vets the organizations they work with very carefully, we can be sure the donations get used in the way they’re intended.”

With the long-reaching effects of the pandemic, it would be understandable to expect a lean year of giving, but just the opposite has happened. Donors seemed to sense the growing needs in the area, and dug deep. “We raised the most money that we have in the history of the organization in 2021,” Wilson said. “We take our responsibility to donors and nonprofits very seriously. We try to lead with integrity, and I hope that is reflected in the work we do.” IPA

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