#extragive

It is an extraordinary morning here in Lancaster County. It's time again for the annual Extraordinary Give event organized by the Lancaster County Community Foundation. 

The Extraordinary Give is Lancaster County's Largest Day of Giving. This 24-hour giving marathon will benefit more than 425 local organizations. Every dollar donated at ExtraGive.org on November 18 will be stretched with at least $300,000 from the Lancaster County Community Foundation, Rodgers & Associates, and their community partners to support the causes you care about.

A number of these organizations directly and indirectly impact the content I share here on GrandLancaster.com, like the Lancaster County Conservancy and the Lancaster Farmland Trust. So I thought what better way to "show" my support than to dive into the trove and actually SHOW you my support. Below are a few images coupled with #Extragive organizations who I fully endorse and need your support.

 #Extragive #iGiveExtra

Each year the Lancaster County Community Foundation gets a lot of support on social media. If you would like to follow this extraordinary event check out the hashtags #extragive and #igiveextra. To my photographer friends, if you have an image or two to support one of these organizations get involved and share! 

ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT:

 Lancaster County Conservancy

"The Lancaster County Conservancy ensures, restores and enhances the ecological function of all our preserves for the health and well-being of our community. "  -- extragive.org

I honestly don't even know where to begin with Lancaster County Conservancy. They are definitely one of my favorite organizations in Lancaster County. My family loves their mission to preserve our natural areas for future generations. We regularly take the time to visit the various nature preserves across the county. We love being outdoors and the nature preserves provide us a great opportunity to share that passion with our children.

take a look around the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve ...

The Overlook at the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

"Although great strides in reducing pollution have been made over the last decades, nearly one-quarter of Pennsylvania's rivers and streams currently suffer from pollution. The Susquehanna River, the largest source of fresh water to the Chesapeake Bay, is also the largest source of nitrogen pollution to the Bay."  -- extragive.org

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is one organization I follow very closely. We spend a lot of time kayaking, and that has sparked many conversations about water pollution, run-off, and our effect on other parts of the country. I have a number of long-term projects I have been developing around this topic. Through all of my research the name Chesapeake Bay Foundation comes up again and again. They are very active on the issues, and continue the fight daily to see cleaner waterways for future generations.

"There's this creek 50 yards from my back door. It leads to the Conestoga River, which leads to the Susquehanna River, then the bay and ultimately the ocean. On the surface it seems insignificant, like, so what? But if I put a sealed can of oil into the creek here at my house ... it has the potential to break open and destroy life anywhere from here to Virginia Beach or beyond. That little tiny creek touches more than we normally consider"  -- Seth Dochter speaking to a photography workshop

360 view on Upper Bear Island in the Susquehanna River below the Holtwood Dam.

Lancaster Farmland Trust

"Lancaster Farmland Trust works with Lancaster County farmers to permanently protect their land from development and implement environmentally friendly farming practices that improve the health of local and regional waterways – all for the benefit of future generations."  -- extragive.org

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

"PPFF and our 39 chapters ensure that your state parks and forests are here for today and for future generations to improve human health, create memories that last a lifetime, and to build connections with family and friends."  -- extragive.org

As you would expect we are lovers of our Pennsylvania State Parks. So Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation is a good fit for us. We certainly get around to a few of them. Below are a couple views from our trips to State Parks we love..

 Overlook at Susquehannock State Park - Lancaster County

Adams Falls at Ricketts Glen

 Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

"The Friends of the Railroad of Pennsylvania supports the mission of the world-class Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which works in the community to preserve the great treasures of railroading and provide educational opportunities about this important aspect of American history."  -- extragive.org

Lancaster Symphony Orchestra

"We reach out by building, and strengthening our community through imaginative and unique musical experiences."  -- extragive.org

I had the pleasure of attend a performance by the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra on the mission to share it in my Backyard Tourist Column in Lancaster County Magazine. In talking to the staff it became abundantly clear what a great organization they were. They are a dynamic organization providing a number of wonderful educational opportunities in a time when many music budgets are being slashed in schools.

Historic Poole Forge

"We provide a gathering place for the community for both public and private events. We also offer free educational and recreation programs for adults and children including a community day, a trout fishing derby, plant swaps and historical lectures."  -- extragive.org

Poole Forge is actually a place I have been visiting a lot recently. I love going there in the fall, but it's very beautiful any time of year. I'm honestly not active in the programs they have there, but I enjoy visiting and I think you would too!

Ephrata Cloister Associates

"ECA’s role is to preserve one of America's earliest religious communities providing guided tour services, implementing programs and developing fundraising events in the place where Ephrata began."  -- extragive.org

Lititz Historical Foundation

"The Lititz Historical Foundation's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and promote Lititz area history."  -- extragive.org

Did you know that Lititz has more standing pre-colonial era buildings than Williamsburg? Amidst all of the large events, second fridays, and other fun stuff Lititz has to offer is a long history hidden in plain sight. I had the pleasure of organizing a photowalk of Lititz with the Lititz Museum and it was a blast! So be sure to check out their walking tours.

#Repost @earodriga Sunday morning jog. Fantastic November weather. #autumnleaves #autumn #lititz #lititzspringspark #lancaster #alwayslancaster #reflection #lancastergram

A photo posted by Lititz Historical Foundation (@lititzmuseum) on Nov 6, 2016 at 9:09am PST