Nonprofits to get Erie Gives checks today

Source: Erie Times-News, Pa.文件倉Aug. 23--After its founder died in May, the administrator of the Maria House Project figured that the nonprofit wouldn't get as many donations during the third annual 12-hour Erie Gives online project.Instead, donors contributed more than $43,000 to the Maria House Project -- $10,000 more than in 2012. The dollar amount was the second highest, trailing only the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, which got more than $150,000 during the give-a-thon."We were shocked," said Joe Tarquinio, administrator of Maria House Project, which helps men who are recovering from drug or alcohol abuse.A total of 301 nonprofits received more than $1.7 million from Erie Gives, hosted by the Erie Community Foundation. The foundation will give out checks today at 10 a.m. at the Erie Zoo."Looking forward to it," Tarquinio said.Tarquinio said the agency doesn't receive any government funds, and relies primarily on donations.With an annual budget of less than $300,000 and five staff members, the one-day donation boost will help the nonprofit keep going for "many more months," he said.Tarquinio said it's been tougher raising funds since the agency's founder, Monsignor James Peterson, died at 89. "A lot of people donated because Father had touched their lives in so many ways. Now that he's gone, it's donations largely from people that have somebody in our program," he said.The agency serves 60 to 100 people a year at six different houses, five in Erie County and one just across the county li存倉e in Warren County. "Our whole goal is to help them learn how to stay clean and sober and feel good about themselves, and to go back into society and be taxpayers rather than tax users," he said.Known as "Father Pete," Peterson said he wanted the ministry to continue after his death. "He just said, 'Pray and people will come through for us.' He's right and they did," Tarquinio said.About one week before the Erie Gives event, Tarquinio said he sent out letters to 1,400 people on the agency's mailing list and told them about Peterson's dying wish."When you're the administrator of such a small program and you get this response, it brings tears to your eyes," Tarquinio said. "There are a lot of nonprofits that do many great things in this area."And many of the others will be recognized with the checks today, thanks to 4,613 separate donors that made 4,894 donations.The total of $1,738,236 includes a $100,000 match from the Erie Community Foundation and $50,000 from GE Transportation.The amount far surpassed the first two years: $1.2 million in 2012 and $776,014 in 2011."Our community once again demonstrated great generosity and care by supporting our vibrant and important nonprofit sector," Mike Batchelor, president of the foundation, said in a statement.JOHN GUERRIERO can be reached at 870-1690 or by e-mail. Follow him at twitter.com/ETNguerriero.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.) Visit the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.) at .GoErie.com Distributed by MCT Information Services自存倉