Members of Team Has Beens, one of 14 teams to compete in Harrisburg Hoopla this past June, recently presented a check for $2,186.86 to Samara – The Center for Individual and Family Growth for general operating expenses.
“At Samara we are very excited to be the recipients of 1st prize in the Harrisburg Hoopla,” said Samara Executive Director Pamela Haddad. “We will use the money to provide meals for parents and children as we work together to build strong relationships and form a healthy community.” Samara’s programs are designed to create growth and new possibilities for families. Their Intensive Parenting/Children’s Programs are held in Allison Hill twice a week year-round.
Combining fun with philanthropy, the inaugural Harrisburg Hoopla raised more than $7,000 for local nonprofit organizations earlier this month. The event gave participants a chance to relive memorable middle school days and compete in fun events such as potato sack race, three legged race, tug-o-war, and more. Each of the 14 teams that competed represented a local charity of their choice. The top three teams donated part of the event proceeds to their selected charity. Harrisburg Hoopla is an event of the Emerging Philanthropists Program (EPP), a partnership between The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) and Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP).
Pictured individuals: Has Beens Team Captain Alex Langan and TFEC VP of Development and Community Investment Jennifer Doyle present the grant check to Samara Executive Director Pamela Haddad. Others pictured include Samara staff members and program participants.
About the Emerging Philanthropist Program (EPP)
The “Harrisburg Hoopla” field day is an event founded by EPP. This program teaches young professionals the process and importance of grant making in the nonprofit community, while providing resources and educational opportunities for Harrisburg’s developing leaders who wish to be actively engaged in giving back to their community. The experience culminates with class members applying their newly learned community and grantmaking skills by awarding a grant to a nonprofit organization. Participants choose the funding area based on their community needs assessment. After a competitive grantmaking process, a one-time $5,000 grant is awarded to a local nonprofit organization. To date, the Emerging Philanthropist Program has granted $15,000 to local nonprofit organizations. The Emerging Philanthropist Fund is an endowment fund used to ensure the $5,000 awards become sustainable for future participants. Given the need in our communities, our long-term goal is to grow the award amounts and enable future participants to award grants to multiple organizations. Click here for more information on the Emerging Philanthropist Program. Click here to Like Harrisburg Hoopla on Facebook.
