In the spirit of the season, the Community Foundation is celebrating the many ways the people of Lancaster give of themselves and help create extraordinary community. We know that it takes a wide range of efforts to make Lancaster thrive. Every day people are at work supporting families, feeding children, keeping us healthy, caring for our animals and cultivating a creative environment where we can continue to create new solutions to our everyday problems.
Each day, for 12 days in December, we’ve highlight one kind of nonprofit work that makes Lancaster stronger. We’re celebrating the work being done and the investments that make it possible. We know that investment in the future means more happy holiday seasons for all of us. Philanthropy: it's the gift that keeps on giving.
DAY 12: Our Community Lancaster County overflows with generosity. Thank you for thinking of others, planning carefully and working together to create extraordinary community.
We appreciate all that you do. Happy Holidays! the Community Foundation
More organizations helping to make our community strong:
Lancaster Bar Association Foundation
Sertoma Club
Leadership Lancaster
Workforce Investment Board
Assets
THANK YOU LANCASTER!!
DAY 11: Women
Women strengthen communities. We believe that every woman has the right to be safe and healthy and able to live a purposeful life.
Feature story:
Clare House was especially created to serve homeless women and children. Clare House offers a temporary home in a caring environment, life skills programs and aftercare support leading to self-sufficiency.
Other organizations serving women: Junior League of Lancaster
Milagro House
DAY 10: Environment
With some of the most coveted farmland in the country and genuine wilderness areas for exploring, Lancaster’s open space is a big part of what makes our community unique.
Feature story: Lancaster Farmland Trust works to preserve our home, harvest and heritage by partnering with landowners to protect their farms and way of life for future generations.
Others working for the future of our environment:
Lancaster County Conservancy
LIVE Green
DAY 9: Youth Programs
We know that kids are indeed the future of our community. Respecting our youth and creating meaningful, expressive connections sets the stage for a brighter tomorrow.
Feature story: Heads Up uses in-school, after-school and summer programs and professional artists to engage students in visual arts, music, dance and design projects designed to empower their God-given passions and explore their creative soul. 
Other local programs empowering our kids:
Music for Everyone
Girls on the Run
Junior Achievement
Boys and Girls Club
Aarons Acres
Big Brothers Big Sisters
DAY 8: Museums & Libraries
A vibrant Lancaster offers a range of opportunities and programs to assure well-rounded, educated, and involved citizens.
Feature story:
North Museum of Natural History & Science opens the window to the worlds of natural history and science. Families can experience the Live Animal Room and experience Central Pennsylvania’s largest Planetarium.
More locally-enriching organizations:
LancasterHistory.org
Manheim Township Public Library
Eastern Lancaster County Library
Lancaster Museum of Art
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Demuth Museum
DAY 7: Animal Welfare
We love our pets! People across our community count on their furry companions for many reasons. Local organizations help support our pets when times are tough. Supporting ‘the least in our community’ shows how much we care. Watch the video and see more helping organizations like KPets and the Pet Pantry. See all of the videos at
Feature Story:
Humane League of Lancaster County helps pets and their owners have successful, long-term relationships. Learn more about their special campaign to adopt form the Island of Misfit Pets!
More local support for animals: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
Pet Pantry
KPETS PEt Therapy Services
DAY 6: Family Services Strong families help create strong communities. People throughout the county are working every day to help families be more connected, more engaged and more committed to a healthy family lifestyle.
Feature Story: Lancaster Family YMCA is committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.
Other organizations supporting Lancaster families:
Samaritan Counseling Center
Lititz recCenter
Compass Mark
YWCA of Lancaster
Bethany Christian Services
Salvation Army
DAY 5: Health
A thriving community is a healthy community. Committing to equal opportunity and care for everyone in Lancaster means that we can focus our energy on moving forward, not on fighting colds.
Feature Story:
SouthEast Lancaster Health Services is a Community Health Center providing quality medical and dental care and patient health education to all members of our community. Doctors, dentists and social workers team up to be sure that every member of our community is being served and staying healthy.
Other Health-focused organizations that count on support:
Susan Byrnes Health Education Center
Mental Health America of Lancaster County
Philhaven
Welsh Mountain Medical & Dental Center
Lancaster County Medical Foundation - PALCO
DAY 4: The Arts
When we invest in the arts we’re investing in creativity in our community. A creative community means that we’re helping ourselves become more open to new ideas and able to generate innovative solutions.
Feature Story:
Friendship Community and the heART of Friendship Art Gallery uses art as one way to provide value to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Other Arts organizations to consider:
LancasterARTS
New Holland Band
Fulton Theatre
Gretna Music
Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
Keystone Art & Culture Center
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
DAY 3: Housing
Homes build the cornerstone of our community. We aim for everyone in Lancaster to have a safe, warm place to build a life.
Feature Story:
Tabor Community Services
Tabor Community Services supports the Lancaster community in many ways. Their service supports residents by teaching them the skills they need to solve their housing and financial problems. Offering supportive housing, community development and homeownership support, Tabor commits to “rebuilding lives and community.”
Other organizations that support housing needs:
Habitat for Humanity LHOP [Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership]
HDC3 [Housing Development Corp]
