Country Fair Cares Pumps $142,277 for Charity in 2020

Country Fair

Did you make it a point to stop at the yellow and purple pumps this year? If you regularly gas up your car at Country Fair, odds are that you also helped contribute. Those fueling at specially designated pumps across Country Fair's 72 

Between May 1 and Oct. 31 of 2020, Country Fair Cares (CFC) raised $142,277. Those funds were distributed to the five participating nonprofits: the Mercy Center for Women, the Erie Philharmonic, NAMI of Erie County, the St. Martin Center, and the Erie Animal Network. Each of these organizations received a $28,455 from CFC. 

This is the second year Country Fair Cares has been in operation. In 2019, the organization's "Pump for Charity" drive raised $132,203 for the ANNA Shelter, Emma's Footprints, the Crime Victim Center of Erie County, ServErie, and Meals on Wheel – Erie. 

Denise L. Kolivoski, MBA, Executive Director for NAMI of Erie County explained that "the funds will help provide free mental health education for residents right here in Erie County. With one in five people impacted each year, that's a lot of our friends and family members, and neighbors that really need our help."

Jenny Haggerty, Executive Director for the Mercy Center for Women said that "because of your help, the Mercy Center for Women will be able to house more women and children in the former Holy Rosary school building." She detailed that "we are into that next phase where the former Holy Rosary school building will provide additional housing for those women and children within the Erie community. The funds from Pump for Charity will be utilized to supply women and children with clothing, shoes, and other accessories necessary for them in our community."

The Erie Philharmonic's Community Program Manager Megan Kelly told that "you were able to help us spring concerts from the Warner [Theatre] into your homes, and be able to continue to enjoy the music of the fabulous players of the Erie Philharmonic, from the comfort of your couch with your friends and family," thanking that donors for helping to provide free televised concerts. 

Jess Lybrook, President and Founder of the Erie Animal Network said that "we promote helping local animals in need with programs for Animal Rescue resources, pet food bank, humane education, and emergency fostering programs." She was happy to note that "our cats are purring like crazy."

"We're so thankful to Country Fair and the pump for charity program for allowing us to buy this van for Early Learning Center," said David González, MS, CEO of the St. Martin Center. "This van is the key to help get children to early learning centers so they can learn and get ready for school. And when they come here to the Learning Center, the parents can go to work so the van really is the key that makes it all happen."

"With the COVID-19 pandemic, we had no idea what to expect this year. Our community has once again stepped up to the plate and we couldn't be happier with the success of this program," said Paul Rankin, Vice President of Country Fair.

If a nonprofit is interested in applying for 2021's Pump for Charity drive, they can apply at countryfairstores.com/community. The deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2020, with all applicants receiving correspondence by Jan. 15, 2021.