Bill O’Boyle

Beyond the Byline: Make helping others ‘prevalent’

WILKES-BARRE — At this week’s Nonprofit Forum, C. David Pedri, President and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, said something that resonated with me and all in the room.

“One thing is clear — the need is prevalent here and 20 nonprofits will be helped through this forum,” Pedri said.

The Luzerne Foundation Wednesday held its ninth Nonprofit Forum, awarding $150,000 in grants to 20 organizations and the Times Leader Media Group added $10,000 from its Book of Dreams Fund, donating four grants of $2,500 each.

And all that is good. All of these nonprofits deserve and need financial help and the grants awarded last week will help each immensely as they continue their missions to serve the very real needs of our community.

But there is, as Pedri said, so much need out there — need that was not helped by the forum, but still exists and — no pun intended — needs to be helped.

The Luzerne Foundation has done wonderful work, but it can’t do it all. The Foundation certainly is doing its fair share in addressing that “prevalent need” in our community. And the Times Leader Media Group also stepped to the plate and is doing its part to help.

What has to happen is that all of us who are able to help, do just that — help. We need those with the means to help those of little means. This is an issue in our community that must be addressed before those prevalent needs get too large to be able to resolve.

This is just stating fact. Not only do these nonprofits need and deserve help, they need more and more each year because those needs keep growing. More clients are knocking on their doors and those requests must be granted.

So just to keep the status quo, more funding is needed, more volunteers are needed and, yes, more staff members are needed. Before we can even think of enhancing programs aimed at improving the quality of life of all those in need out there, we must first assure that the organizations remain solvent and can address what I’m afraid may only be the tip of the “needs” iceberg.

Wise people have offered inspirational quotes to urge others to get involved:

Charles Dickens said, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

Maya Angelou said, “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

Poet John Bunyan said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

These are words, but they are powerful words and should not be dismissed without action. And now is the time for action.

Whatever the reasons are that people in our community find themselves in a situation where they need help should never be questioned. Those reasons can and should be addressed in due time. What is most important is that their immediate needs be addressed immediately.

No one person can solve this problem — it will take a community to heal itself.

The Luzerne Foundation’s Profit Forum saw more than 30 local non-profits offering presentations to the Foundation’s Board for the chance of receiving grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.

“Today we heard from nonprofits of all segments of our community,” Pedri said. “We ask that you help where you can. This is about local people helping local people in need.”

The need reaches into every segment of the community: Arts & Culture, Education & Scholarships, Health & Wellness, Historic Preservation & the Environment, Neighborhoods & Community Development, Social Services, and Youth Issues.

Pedri said although not every organization can receive grants at the Forum, they all have a great opportunity to find new donors through the Luzerne Foundation’s network of fund-holders, organizations, individuals, and other foundations who are interested in their cause.

As part of the event, Times Leader Media Group awarded $10,000 from its Book of Dreams Fund of the Luzerne Foundation during the forum.

“We feel giving back to the community is important,” said Kerry Miscavage, Times Leader Media Group Publisher.

Miscavage said every nonprofit that presented at Wednesday’s forum is deserving and each has an important mission in the community.

“The forum will help a lot of people that are served by these nonprofits,” Miscavage said.

Need in any community is real and needs to be addressed. The Luzerne Foundation and the Times Leader Media Group are two organizations that always answer the call for help.

To make an even more significant impact in addressing the needs of our community is for more — many more — organizations and people to get involved.

Winter will be here soon. The holidays are almost upon us. Take some time to think about how you can help others.

Make that “prevalent” in your life.