Read what inspired Maureen Campbell to become a community grant reader with YCCF and learn how you can join this passionate group of volunteers.
How did you learn about this volunteer opportunity?
When I retired, I was looking for ways to volunteer and give back to the community. Service to others was one of the many important values my parents instilled in me, and so I grew up with an attitude of helping others and find “giving back” extremely rewarding. There was a newspaper article asking to become involved in the Embracing Aging initiative of YCCF, which I responded to about 5 years ago.
What do you like best about being a community grant reader?
I enjoy learning about the variety of nonprofit organizations within York County, their respective missions, the commitment each has in helping the population they respectively serve, and the creativity of their proposed projects in hopes of being awarded a grant from the YCCF.
Which causes are you most passionate about?
I have been involved in the Embracing Aging Initiative through YCCF for the past five years and have become aware of the many needs of/services for the growing aging population in York County. As I get older, this population is most interesting to me, and I am so pleased that the YCCF has committed resources to this area. I am also passionate about assisting those with food insecurity and have volunteered at Catholic Harvest Food Pantry for over 20 years (and on their board for 10 years). I enjoy the arts, following a healthy lifestyle, social justice issues and supporting downtown York.
Which grant was the most impactful for you, and why?
Servants, Inc. submitted a multiple- year grant several years ago to add personnel and materials to increase services to their “Home Helps” initiative, serving the local community by providing repair and maintenance services for low-income older adult, single parent, and disabled homeowners. Regular reports showed improved progress and increased services.
This past 2021 community grant cycle, the United Way of York County submitted a grant to distribute children’s books to encourage reading, family engagement and community involvement. It was impactful and worthy of YCCF funding. As a former elementary teacher, it is so critical to get books into the hands of children at an early age and promote reading at all ages/levels.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have always enjoyed traveling since my brief time working in the airlines. Many years ago, I decided to make visiting each of the 50 US states a goal, but only count them if I stay overnight, somewhere in the state. At this point, I only have six states left to visit and plan to finish them in the next two years. And a new goal since COVID hit March 2020, is to hike a few miles in each of the 121 Pennsylvania State Parks….35 down and 86 to go! Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a grant reader!
