Burg View: Limited Utility

May 25, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

PennDOT’s rendering of the Market Street Bridge, with the proposed utility bridge alongside it.

How can one agency have so many bad ideas?

A few years ago, the PA Department of Transportation proposed doubling the width of I-83 through Harrisburg, destroying yet more of the city, 1950s-style. That proposal was later slimmed down, slightly, to no one’s satisfaction.

Then there’s the tolling of the South Bridge, a proposal now temporarily halted by the Commonwealth Court following near-universal condemnation by local and county governments.

And I’ve certainly slammed PennDOT enough times in this space for refusing to slim down the lower portion of Forster Street, which is dangerously overbuilt.

Well, now, we have a scheme to build a hideous utility bridge next to the historic, majestic Market Street Bridge.

Truly, it’s mind-boggling.

Last January, PennDOT held a public meeting to present proposals for the Market Street Bridge rehabilitation. Three options were offered, none of which included the unsightly utility bridge.

Evidently, that got dreamed up sometime between then and now, foisted upon us with no warning. PennDOT’s reasoning: it will cut the bridge rehab project from an estimated 10 years to five to six years.

I’m all for reducing the timeframe, since I’d like to see the project completed during my lifetime.

However, it seems uniquely shortsighted to mar a historic bridge—for decades, a century, more—in order to save a few years on the front end. And, besides, aren’t there any better options?

Perhaps the utilities now beneath the Market Street Bridge sidewalk could be re-located to the nearby CAT Bridge, which is slated to become a pedestrian/bike bridge.

Perhaps the overbuilt, four-lane Market Street Bridge configuration could be reduced to three lanes.

Perhaps the Market Street Bridge rehab plan, which is doing backflips to accommodate wider pedestrian/bike lanes, could be simplified and combined with rebuilding the missing western spans of the pedestrian/bike-only Walnut Street Bridge.

These are just a few quick ideas, some of which were suggested by our thoughtful readers. I’m sure there are other better, more creative and perhaps more cost-effective options than building an entirely new, horribly ugly utility bridge running the length of the stately Market Street Bridge.

PennDOT will take public comments on its current proposal, which it calls “modified option 1,” through June 17. My comment is—let’s go back to the drawing board.

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher/editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

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Local Big Brothers Big Sisters receives largest donation ever, part of huge national gift

May 24, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region today announced its greatest single gift ever, thanks to a donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

The Harrisburg-based mentorship organization, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, said that it will receive $1.1 million from Scott.

“This generous gift will provide opportunities to collaborate and create partnerships so we can expand our services,” said President and CEO Amy Rote. “It’s more than an investment. It is bringing innovation and transformation to mentorship for the youth and families in our region.”

Overall, Scott donated $122.6 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which then allocated a portion of the funds to 38 local agencies, including BBBSCR.

Scott is the former wife of Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and is regarded as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world with an estimated net worth of $48.3 billion.

Over the past few years, Scott has given away an estimated $12 billion to almost 1,200 groups, including donations to numerous organizations in the greater Harrisburg area.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region now plans to form a constituent committee to determine how best to deploy the funds to support its mission, according to Krystina Shultz, marketing and communications manager.

The need is great. This year, BBBSCR has experienced a significant increase in child applications across their five-county service area–Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Perry, according to the organization.

“We can’t do this alone, we invite our community to join us and defend the potential of our young people today and for generations to come,” Rote said.

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, visit their website.

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Dauphin County announces tourism grants for nearly 80 county-based projects, programs

May 24, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Dauphin County Library System will receive a tourism grant for a project at the McCormick Riverfront Library.

Dozens of programs, projects and organizations will receive tourism grants this year in the annual disbursal of funds by Dauphin County.

The county commissioners recently announced that they will award over $2.3 million in grants to 77 recipients under the Dauphin County Tourism Grant Program.

“This is a great list full of programs and projects that preserve Dauphin County’s vibrancy,” Commission Chair Pries said. “We have great expectations that this funding will make Dauphin County even more attractive as both a travel destination and place to raise a family.”

A portion of the county’s hotel tax, a 5% room occupancy tax, funds the program, which provides grants to county-based entities for tourism-related projects in an annual application process.

According to Dauphin County, tourism brings in about $2.4 billion annually to the county, making it one of the county’s top industries.

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, which promotes tourism in the county, topped the list of recipients with a $1 million award for marketing initiatives.

“As families, couples, and businesses return to travel in greater numbers, the tourism grant plays a critical role in our ability as Dauphin County’s official destination marketing organization to promote the region’s diverse tourism assets and to position Dauphin County as the best place to stay, play, meet and explore,” said Mary Smith, VHH’s president and CEO.

The Dauphin County Library System received a $75,000 award for its “Your Place to Belong” project.

“The commissioners’ ongoing support for the expansion of Harrisburg’s McCormick Riverfront Library has been crucial to the ‘Your Place to Belong’ project’s success,’’ said DCLS Executive Director Karen Cullings. “When finished later this year, visitors will see an expanded children’s area, more public computers, and even a stage where The Pennsylvania Past Players will bring historical figures to life.”

DCLS is renovating and reimagining a portion of the McCormick Riverfront Library as part of a more extensive $3.5 million project that also completely renovates the historic Haldeman Haly House next door and connects the two buildings.

The complete list of 2022 tourism grant recipients follows:

American Literacy Corporation – $10,000 (7th Annual Central PA Writers and Illustrators Summer Camp)
Big 33 – $100,000 (Big 33 expenses (players, coaches, cheerleaders, buddies, facilities, operations)
Borough of Steelton – $20,000 (Steelton Fest)
Brothers & Sisters Making a Difference – $4,500 (BMD Summer league)
Camp Hebron – $14,000 (marketing/gravel, shower/bath trailer)
Capital Area Girls on the Run – $2,000 (afterschool program/5k event)
Capital Area Selects – $7,500 (opportunities through baseball participation)
Central PA Figure Skating Club – $7,000 (RSI competition fees)
Central PA Friends of Jazz – $5,000 (Jazz Walk and concert series)
Central PA Youth Ballet – $20,000 (The Nutcracker Performance)
Civic Club of Harrisburg – $20,000 (Women’s History Garden)
Courtyard of Honor, Inc. – $25,000 (permanent memorial located downtown Hershey)
Courtyard of Honor, Inc. – $5,000 (project “On the Rocks”)
CREDC – $75,000 (tourism related business)
Cyrene Lodge #169 – $5,000 (PA State Association IPOEW 97th Annual Convention)
Dauphin County EDC – $40,000 (Cultural Fest)
Dauphin County Library System – $75,000 (Your Place to Belong Project)
Dauphin County System of Care Community Partners – $7,000 (Neighboring Festival)
Driven From Within – $3,000 (semi-pro basketball showcase/2023 male summit)
Eastern PA Hockey – $10,000 (Troopers Helping Troopers Tournament)
Fit4ever365 – $2,500 (professional boxing at Zembo)
Friends of Fort Halifax Park Inc. – $2,000 (Colonial Fort Halifax Festival)
Friends of the PA Farm Show Foundation – $10,000 (207th PA Farm Show 2023)
Handles Entertainment – $10,000 (Weekend Wednesdays)
Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society – $10,000 (enhancements, printing and marketing, Veterans Cruise support)
Harrisburg Area YMCA East Shore Branch – $2,000 (Harrisburg Marathon)
Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District – $2,000 (seasonal banners)
Harrisburg Rugby Football Club – $2,500 (floodlighting at Sunset Park)
Harrisburg Young Professionals – $5,000 (2022 Beautification Project)
Harrisburg University – $30,000 (Riverfront Park Concert Special Project Series)
Hershey Figure Skating Club – $3,500 (summer competition)
Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country – $50,000 (social media campaign expenses)
Hershey History Center – $10,000 (tourism enhancement program and Beautification project)
High School Sports Live – $40,000 (high school sports live)
Historical Society of Dauphin County – $10,000 (restoration project)
Hummelstown Area Historical Society – $5,000 (creation of video vignettes)
Invica LLC – $5,000 (talk show event)
Juneteenth Celebration – $10,000 (partnership between Dauphin County, City of Harrisburg and UPMC)
JAB Promotions – $3,378 (professional boxing event expenses)
Keystone Human Services – $12,000 (furnishing & equipment for new training room)
Lower Paxton Community Foundation – $1,500 (4th Annual Christkindlemarket)
Market Square Concerts – $2,500 (nine concert series)
Metro’s of Tomorrow Youth Barber Academy – $2,000 (provide children with educational opportunity to learn about barbering)
Middletown Area Historical Society of Dauphin County – $1,000 (annual craft fair)
Millersburg Borough – $1,500 (2022 fireworks)
Millersburg Borough – $1,500 (public movie screening in MYO Park)
Millersburg Borough – $500 (brochure project)
Millersburg Ferry Boat Association – $5,000 (enhance marketing)
MOSELF – $5,000 (urban baseball program)
Motorama Productions, Inc. – $20,000 (show expenses)
PA Football – $7,000 (awards programs)
Narcisse Theatre Company – $2,500 (Italian Lake Free Theatre Series)
Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art – $2,000 (the Ned Smith Festival)
NRA – $100,000 (Great American Outdoor Show)
Open Stage of Harrisburg – $20,000 (Visibility Project)
PA National Horse Show Foundation – $100,000 (show expenses)
Platinum Smoke, LLC – $15,000 (upscale cigar and bourbon event)
Robert M. Jackson Veterans Center, Inc. – $20,000 (Gospel Fest/Jazz Under the Stars Concert)
Senators Partners LLC d/b/a Harrisburg Senators – $75,000 (marketing & promotional plan, 2022)
Shades of Greatness Inc. – $10,000 (3-day event local sports celebrities)
State YMCA of PA Inc. – $5,000 (Annual PA Youth and Government Model Legislative & Judicial Convention)
Sweet Ride Transportation, Inc. – $20,000 (marketing/advertising, labor/operating)
The Cave Anti-Bullying Foundation – $10,000 (several tournaments to raise funds for program)
The Coexist Gallery – $2,000 (Steelton Cannabis Health Expo)
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities – $10,000 (increase visitor and tourists’ awareness of appreciation for City)
The National Civil War Museum – $50,000 (marketing and new educational programs)
The Performance Zone Inc. d/b/a The Field – $4,000 (Cocoon Steelton PA: The Migrations of Many)
The Singer’s Lounge Community Partnership Inc. – $10,000 (The Singer’s Lounge Junior Showcase)
The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey – $60,000 (4 concert series)
Township of Derry ICDA – $10,000 (New Year’s Eve Celebration)
Travel Champs/Hershey Jr. Bears Pee Wee Cup – $30,000 (International Youth Ice Hockey Tournament)
US Bulgarian Chamber in Harrisburg – $7,000 (Series of virtual programs)
Veterans Outreach of PA – $3,000 (reimbursement of purchased trailer)
Visit Hershey Harrisburg – $1,000,000 (marketing)
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts – $30,000 (marketing and new educational programs)
World Affairs Council of Harrisburg – $5,000 (funds to encourage international travel to Central PA)
YMCA Camp Curtin – $1,500 (Bigger than Basketball Event)
Young Professionals of Color Great Harrisburg – $5,000 (Juneteenth HBG 2022)

For more information about the Dauphin County Tourism Grant Program, visit their website.

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Program launched to fight obesity, promote walking, healthy lifestyles

May 23, 2022 | by George Fernandez

Members of the local community attending a past Highmark Wholecare event

For more than two years, discussions regarding our most chronic and deadly diseases have been pushed aside due to COVID-19. Especially for our minority and senior populations, preventative care was halted, and the stress, fear, and isolation that occurred as a result of COVID-19 led to poor lifestyle choices that only perpetuated health problems. As a result, our most vulnerable populations are facing illnesses that are far more deadly than coronavirus. I’m talking specifically about obesity.

Obesity is a national pandemic that has been exasperated by the global pandemic. And Latino populations are among the most at-risk. According to the U.S. Office of Minority Health, Latinos are 1.2 times more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites. Among Latino women, nearly 80% are overweight or obese, as compared to 64% of non-Hispanic white women. And this is not limited to adults. Latino children were nearly two times more likely to be obese as compared to non-Latino white children.

We know that obesity leads to a host of health problems and chronic conditions. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and LDL cholesterol which are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, healthy lifestyle changes are simple, though it’s not always easy or culturally supported. That’s where we, as a community, have to make a change. And it all begins with consistent decisions that create a movement. In fact, one of the most powerful ways to combat obesity is movement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CDC, physical activity, such as walking, can help improve health even without weight loss. People who are physically active live longer and have a lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers. Adults need at least 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) of physical activity a week.

Here’s the challenge: In order to motivate high-risk individuals to increase their physical activity, we must ensure there is adequate education, resources, and incentive to do so. This includes creating safe and convenient spaces to walk and forming initiatives that equip people with information that is free, accessible, and easy to follow. All of this can help people, especially senior and minority populations, commit to being more physically active.

Next month, Highmark Wholecare, a leading Pennsylvania-based managed care organization, in collaboration with Harrisburg Housing Authority and Latino Connection, will launch a 12-week Healthy Steps Walking Program where participants will commit to healthy lifestyle choices for the next three months, including increased physical activity.

This program encourages everyone, especially our senior population, to be intentional about improving their habits to live a healthy lifestyle during the summer months by taking a daily walk, making smart eating choices, and addressing health issues promptly. As part of the program, Highmark Wholecare will host seven engagement events at various locations within the Harrisburg Housing Authority that will include giveaways, education, healthy eating demonstrations, and healthy living tips.

The first event will kick off June 1 at the Harrisburg Housing Authority on Chestnut Street in Harrisburg starting at 1 p.m. This is a free public event, and everyone is welcome.

This initiative is one powerful and intentional step toward bridging the gap that exists in addressing social determinants of health in our minority and high-risk populations. Social determinants of health are factors such as food and housing insecurity, transportation, employment, social support, that impact up to 80% of a person’s health. Prevention requires education, and education requires engagement. The Healthy Steps Walking Program is a step forward and one that we hope will lead to another and another – not just from a community partnership perspective but from the collective steps of individuals who join in this initiative to take back their health. It’s time we get back to being proactive not reactive to matters of health – and the time to get moving is now.

George Fernandez is the founder and CEO of Latino Connection, a national leader in community education, health outreach, and wellness programming focused on reaching low-income, uninsured communities.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 20, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Historic Grace UMC Church in Harrisburg

Unseasonal heat may have you searching out some low-key activities this weekend. Our idea: spend some time reading TheBurg stories you may have missed last week, which we conveniently list and link below.

2^nd Street construction continues apace, as the city announced that traffic signals would flash yellow from Forster to Division streets. This was just the latest step in the gradual transition of the road to two-way traffic.

Arts writer Bob takes a gander at the busy week and month in and around Harrisburg. Check out recent artsy developments in his latest blog.

French cooking isn’t typically on the menu for our food writer, Rosemary. But, in this month’s column, she trades in her usual focus on Italian cuisine for a trip to Provence.

Grace UMC marks 200-plus years as a congregation with a service and a celebration. According to our online story, they’re also observing a revival after their church almost closed.

HAAPI stands for Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander group, which held a heritage celebration this weekend. Our magazine story details how the group formed and its mission to promote tolerance.

Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival returns to live screenings, as well as virtual options, according to our magazine story. The festival starts this weekend and runs through June 1.

HU Presents added another major outdoor show to its Summer Concert Series. Soul rockers Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats are slated to play Riverfront Park in late September.

Philanthropy may not be on the mind of young people, but it should be, according to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. To help motivate giving, TFEC announced a contest to foster interest in regional philanthropy.

Primary election day set the stage for the general election in PA this November. Check out our online story to see who came out ahead as party nominees in and around Harrisburg.

Sara Bozich has moved outdoors, with all the warm-weather events and festivals popping up around town. In her weekly column, she lets you know what’s on her to-do list.

Wanda Williams has been mayor of Harrisburg since January, the first change of administration in eight years. Our magazine profile offers an in-depth look at the long-time public servant even though, as she tells our reporter, “I think everyone knows about Wanda already.”

Whitaker Center this week announced an addition to its science and arts offerings, the PNC Innovation Zone. This new video and e-gaming center will help stimulate interest in STEAM and high-tech fields, according to officials.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

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PennDOT closer to Market Street Bridge rehab plan, adds separate utility bridge

May 20, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Market Street Bridge, from Harrisburg

The future of the Market Street Bridge appears to be coming into focus, as the PA Department of Transportation seems to be settling on a rehabilitation plan.

On Friday, PennDOT stated that it expects to move ahead with “modified Option 1,” which adds a new utility bridge to the previously announced plan.

“PennDOT has selected to proceed further with the design and environmental clearance based on a modified Option 1 with the addition of a separate utility bridge to relocate all utilities to reduce the overall construction time” according to the department’s announcement.

Last January, PennDOT unveiled three possible plans for the $63.8 million, multi-year project and asked for public comment. The plan now proposed came about as a result of that comment, PennDOT said.

Option 1 maintains the current, four 10-foot lanes for both the “eastern” bridge, which spans the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg to City Island, and the “western” bridge, from City Island to the west shore.

Smoother sidewalk surfaces would be provided for each bridge. Metal hatches would be removed from the sidewalk areas, and the sidewalks will be replaced.

For the western bridge, two 7-foot sidewalks, along with 2-foot shoulders, would be constructed, which would provide additional space for bicyclists and a buffer area between vehicles and pedestrians on the sidewalks. Additional bicycle signage and pavement markings, such as sharrows, would also be added from the west shore to the east shore.

PennDOT said this option would allow it to have the flexibility to re-stripe the roadway in the future to take out a lane and add additional bike/pedestrian space if needed.

A diagram shows proposed changes to the west part of the Market Street Bridge. The bridge’s current configuration is at the top and proposed configuration at the bottom. Courtesy: PennDOT

Notably, this plan calls for the addition of a narrow utility bridge next to the Market Street Bridge. Currently, utilities, including include gas transmission lines, multiple fiber optic telecommunications lines and a sewer line, run beneath the sidewalks of the bridge.

According to PennDOT, building a separate bridge for the utilities will shorten the construction period from about 10 years to five to six years. Construction is slated to begin in 2024.

A rendering of the Market Street Bridge, with the construction of a separate utility bridge. Courtesy PennDOT

The project would proceed in three phases:

Phase 1 – Construct the utility bridge and relocate all utilities from Market Street Bridge to the new utility bridge. Existing travel lanes will be maintained except for short-term lane closures with flagging to accommodate utility reconnections.

Phase 2 – Construct the westbound (upstream) side of the bridges. One eastbound lane will be maintained with all westbound traffic being detoured via Harvey Taylor Bridge. Access to City Island will be from the eastbound ramp.

Phase 3 – Construct the eastbound (downstream) side of the bridge. One eastbound lane will be maintained on the upstream newly constructed side with all westbound traffic being detoured via Harvey Taylor Bridge. Access to City Island will be from the westbound ramp.

Information, including a project overview, project displays, and methods to provide comment, can be viewed on the project website at Market Street Bridge. An in-person open house plan display will be held on Thursday, June 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kinsley Hall, 20 Market St., Wormleysburg.

Comments will be accepted through Friday, June 17.

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Grace UMC marks 200-plus years with service, celebration on Sunday

May 19, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Grace United Methodist Church

Harrisburg is rich with majestic, historic churches, and one of the most famous will mark an important milestone this weekend.

On Sunday, Grace United Methodist Church will celebrate its bicentennial as a congregation.

Grace traces its roots back to 1810, with a visit from an early Methodist circuit ride preacher who passed through the fledgling city. A decade later, the congregation was strong enough to hire its own minister and embark on building its first church, which was located at 321 N. 2^nd St. in Harrisburg.

In 1871, construction began on the current, Gothic-style church at 216 State St., a block from the PA Capitol. In fact, the state legislature met in the church for over a year after Harrisburg’s original Capitol building burned down in 1897.

In recent years, the church was slated to close, but the congregation rallied to keep the doors open, even as most other UMC churches in the Harrisburg area were shuttered and sold.

For Sunday’s event, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Ball Steiner, the co-superintendents of the Susquehanna Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, will be featured guest speakers, according to the church.

The celebration was originally planned for 2020, but didn’t take place due to the pandemic.

“Now, as public gatherings are again taking place, the worship will focus both on the church’s long history in the community and its continuing rebirth from a time in which it was targeted for closure,” according to a release from Grace UMC.

Grace United Methodist Church, 216 State St., Harrisburg, will hold its worship service and celebration starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 22.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

May 19, 2022 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! Scroll down or use the menu links to find ideas for your weekend.

What you’ll find:

For your weekend planning
Top Weekend Recs
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Like this content?

For something new: The SoMa Block Party Series is back, and it starts TONIGHT. If you do one thing this weekend, make it this.

(Still) Worth noting: Check out my private Facebook community, Cheers Harrisburg. You can join the convo here.

Things on my agenda this weekend: SoMa Block Party tonight, 3rd in the Burg in SoMa Friday, put in my garden in insane heat, Rent on Sunday!

Don’t forget to support your local brewery! Click here to find one near you.

For your weekend planning

Start a book club
Call for sponsors and vendors: Plants + Pints 2022
View my local Restaurant Directory or Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog.

Below are options for your weekend.

Things to Do in Harrisburg + Central PA | Weekend Roundup | Sara Bozich

Top Weekend Recs

Everything you need to know about the SoMa Block Party Series
Subscribe & save with Broadway Series at Hershey Theatre
Make travel plans (with a discount + perks)
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

What are you doing this weekend around Harrisburg? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Like this content?

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Local races set for PA House; Harrisburg-based candidates perform well in Democratic primaries

May 18, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Patty Kim

Rep. Patty Kim fought off a primary challenge by Heather MacDonald to capture the Democratic nomination for re-election to the state Assembly.

In unofficial results, Kim, of Harrisburg, captured about 76% of the vote versus about 24% for MacDonald, of Camp Hill, for the 103^rd House district seat, which represents about half of Harrisburg and the close-in west shore suburbs of Lemoyne, Camp Hill, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township.

Kim, the incumbent, now will go on to face David Buell in the November general election. Buell defeated his Republican opponent, Jennie Jenkins-Dallas, in Tuesday’s primary.

In the 104^th legislative district, Harrisburg council member Dave Madsen won his race unopposed. Last month, the nominating petitions of two of his Democratic opponents were successfully challenged for the open seat, and their names were removed from the ballot.

Madsen will run unopposed in the general election, as no Republicans sought the seat, which includes east and south Harrisburg and several nearby suburban communities.

In the 105^th district race, Susquehanna Township Commissioner Justin Fleming bettered activist Eric Epstein of Lower Paxton Township for the Democratic nomination for the open seat. No candidates ran for the Republican nomination.

In the 106^th House district, Republican incumbent Tom Mehaffie won his race running unopposed. He faces no Democratic opposition in November.

For the U.S. House, Harrisburg council member Shamaine Daniels was in the lead for the Democratic nomination for the 10^th congressional district. She led Rick Coplen of Carlisle by about 53% to 47% of the vote, with about 93% of ballots counted. The winner will face incumbent Rep. Scott Perry, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

The general election is slated for Nov. 8.

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Fund Your Cause: Contest launched to foster interest in regional philanthropy

May 17, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

Photo by Dani Fresh

A new initiative hopes to “spark” interest in philanthropic giving in central PA.

On Monday, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) announced the kickoff of its first-ever Spark! contest and campaign.

Spark! aims to help people within the greater Harrisburg area realize their philanthropic dreams—regardless of their age, gender, income level or ethnicity.

The winner of Spark! will receive a $10,000 area-of-interest fund, in which dollars will be used to support local nonprofits and empower them to make a difference in their communities for a cause they are passionate about.

“The word ‘philanthropy’ has a stigma attached to it. Many assume it is only reserved for a specific type of person, one with a certain amount of wealth and stature,” said TFEC President and CEO Janice Black. “Our vision in creating Spark! is to break down these misconceptions and show members of our communities that anyone can be a philanthropist, and everyone can make a difference.”

Spark! starts off by asking people to consider what motivates them and the causes they care about most. They then submit it for a chance to create their own fund.

Submissions will be accepted through Thursday, June 30. Afterwards, all verified entries will be open to the public for voting.

The top five finalists with the most votes will move on to the closing round, during which the public will cast their final votes and select the winner. The official Spark! winner will be announced Wednesday, Sept. 7.

“TFEC exists to help all individuals make a difference and contribute to the passions and charitable dreams that drive them,” Black said. “Spark! helps us deliver that message and start fostering the next generation of givers. We want everyone to feel empowered and know they can create real change in their community.”

For more details on how to enter, along with eligibility requirements and Spark! contest rules, click here.

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For your weekend planning

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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