WCCF Gives sets record with $1.2M in donations

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Mon Valley residents and businesses dug deep into their pockets last month to help their neighbors and local charities.

The Washington County Community Foundation recently announced its annual day of giving, WCCF Gives, which was held Sept. 10, set a new record with more than $1.2 million contributed through check contributions and online credit card gifts.  

Gifts will be increased by the foundation’s $100,000 bonus pool, which means $1.3 million given to local charities.

In 2019, donations, combined with the $100,000 bonus pool, resulted in more than $1 million to support local charities, the first time that the overall total to charities reached seven figures.

“The Washington County community showed its heart,” said Betsie Trew, WCCF president and CEO. “Going into this year’s day of giving, we were uncertain how local giving would be impacted by the economic implications of COVID-19. We knew local charities were struggling financially because of the pandemic, but we also knew that many individuals and companies were also struggling. 

“The fact that this year’s giving exceeded last year’s giving by 20% is a testament to the many generous hearts in our community.”

In the Mon Valley, Terry Necciai, board member for the Monongahela Public Library, was anxiously awaiting the results. The city of Monongahela recently discussed cutting the library’s funding.

During this year’s WCCF Gives, the library received $6,304, compared to last year’s total, which exceeded $10,000.

“We didn’t hit that target, but that’s OK because this is such a screwed-up year,” Necciai said. “I’m happy with the amount considering how many challenges there were this year.”

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