Philanthropy Makes it Possible to Live, Work and Play in Downtown York

FROM FIRST FRIDAY SOCIAL EVENTS, TO CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY, HALLOWEEN, AND MORE, THE COMPANIES THAT GENEROUSLY SUPPORT DOWNTOWN YORK FESTIVITIES ARE WHAT MAKE IT AN IDYLLIC PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

York County Solid Waste Authority

ycswa.com

THE YORK COUNTY SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY partners with Downtown Inc as a sponsor of their Litter Clean-up Crew, and the street festival Go Green in the City, focused on clean & green living. Additionally, they partner with the York Revolution as a sponsor of “Go Green Night” and also hold an annual high school recycled art contest which has been held in various locations throughout Downtown York.

Annual High School Recycled Art Contest

“We believe that by supporting these activities in the City of York, we are contributing to the overall health and well- being of York County as a whole,” shares Ellen O’Connor, Manager, Community Services Division. “Staff get directly involved with attending Go Green Night at the York Revolution and the Recycled Art Contest reception and awards ceremony is also popular. It’s always great to see what high school artists create with materials they have harvested from discarded trash.”

KBG Law

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Since its founding in 1983, KBG INJURY LAW has been located in Downtown York and has a long- standing tradition of supporting the community. In 2014, KBG established the KBG Community Fund with the York County Community Foundation. Since its inception, the KBG Community Fund has issued grants totaling $120,930 to 56 different organizations throughout Central Pennsylvania. Many of these organizations are based in Downtown York, including The Appell Center, Downtown Inc., The Cultural Alliance, The York County History Center, York County Libraries and more.

“It is an important part of our firm culture to be part of the community and to do our part to make it a better place. In 2014, when we moved our York office, we made the commitment to stay in Downtown and as a result bought our current building at 110 North George Street where we will be for years to come,” shares Brian Strong, personal injury attorney with KBG Law. “Our crew of 25 plus employees loves being in downtown and it is an added benefit of working here with so many food, shopping and cultural options just steps from our office.”

KBG 10 for 10 initiative where each attorney donated $1,000 to an organization of the attorney’s choice. This took place in summer 2020, during the height of the pandemic to show support for the community during a time of unprecedented need.

Women’s Giving Circle

yorkwgc.org

The WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE makes targeted investments in Downtown York because they appreciate that downtown is the heart of our community and want its rich history, vital and diverse culture, and commercial offerings to remain accessible and appealing to all. The two current investment focus areas are Urban Revitalization and Education.

The group has been a part of projects including the Codorus Creek revitalization, Keystone Kidspace, the York Academy, and the local artists project at the Yorktowne Hotel. They have invested nearly a million dollars in the York community and have leveraged millions more in community investments.

York Academy is a key anchor at the northern gateway to Downtown York, hosting over 900 students with a new makerspace and technology equipment.

An example of such is York Academy Regional Charter School. The school opened in 2011, serving K-2 and now has two school buildings serving over 900 K-11 students, with K-12 starting this Fall. It’s the only school in York County, and one of just two in the Commonwealth, authorized to educate students through the International Baccalaureate Continuum.

Recent WGC grants provided for a new makerspace and technology equipment for the 65,000 square-foot school which is a key anchor at the northern gateway to Downtown York.

York Traditions Bank

yorktraditionsbank.com

“A tradition of community – that is one of the things we are built on; because we live here too. This is not just a place where we do business. This is a place where our family, our friends, and neighbors live and work. The place we call home. That is why we believe investing in the community is the best investment we can all make. We believe community banking is nothing without community,” shares Kristen Dempwolf of York Traditions.

YORK TRADITIONS BANK’s support creates the opportunity for events like Give Local York's Big Give Day, Downtown Inc's Downtown Updates, and the Rainbow Rose Center's Equality Fest.

For the last seven years, they've partnered with Eventive and the York Revolution to create family-friendly traditions in the City of York through events like the York Halloween Parade, FestivICE, and July4York. All of this taking place right in the heart of Downtown York.

Photo courtesy of York Revolution, taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

WellSpan Health

wellspan.org

“WELLSPAN HEALTH’s mission is working as one to improve health through exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness and healthy communities. Since Downtown York is where we live, work and play, it’s extremely important that we invest in downtown, putting our mission into action for the benefit of all in our community,” shares Vicky Diamond, Senior VP-Central Region & President- WellSpan York Hospital.

First Friday presented by WellSpan Health, taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

WELLSPAN’s community support has made possible events including First Friday, hosted by Downtown Inc, as well as the YWCA Walk-a-Mile in Her Shoes, and YMCA Turkey Trot. This is only the beginning, with their contributions also supporting York Revolution, Lifepath Ministries, York County Food Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters, City of York, and various Arts organizations including Cultural Alliance, Appell Center, York Symphony Orchestra, and more.

“With hundreds of employees who live and/or work in the City of York, it’s extremely tough to pick just a few favorites. For the same reason First Fridays are so wonderful, we enjoy the diversity of offerings York City provides for dining, arts, recreation and culture. The welcoming spirit of those around the city certainly stands out as something endearing that I hear from many,” adds Diamond.