Sep 16, 2016 2 min read

More than $620,000 was contributed by the community during Washington County Community Foundation’s annual Day of Giving Tuesday, which when combined with the WCCF’s $100,000 bonus pool, will result in grant checks to participating charities of more than $720,000.

“We were very pleased to have realized a 13 percent increase in the number of donors contributing, which was likely the result of increased marketing efforts by charities, as well as increased marketing efforts by the community foundation. The importance of building an ever-increasing base of donors cannot be overemphasized, and so we commend those charities that took steps to secure additional donors this year,” said Betsie Trew, WCCF president and chief executive officer.

Of the 107 charities who received support, 33 percent realized both an increase in the number of donors and an increase in dollars contributed over last year. Of particular note is the Independence Conservancy, which realized a 275 percent increase in the number of donors and a 520 percent increase in the total dollars contributed. The Independence Conservancy, which works for clean water in Washington County by operating three abandoned mine discharge treatment systems in the headwaters of Raccoon Creek near Burgettstown, secured more than $4,000 in gifts.

Also of note is Meals on Wheels of Peters Township, which secured a 184 percent increase in its contributions total over last year. The $31,000 secured this year will help the organization provide a hot nutritious meal to seniors and others who have difficulty shopping for food or preparing meals.

The charity that secured both the greatest contribution total and the most donors overall was Washington City Mission, whose 174 donors contributed more than $75,000. Coming in second at $49,000 was Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, which had 141 donors. For individual charity amounts, please visit www.wccfgives.org.