The year has been a tough one and our community nonprofits have found themselves stretched to the limit. Forced to do without traditional fundraising events, organizations like AAUW State College are finding new ways to communicate their online programming and volunteer opportunities to the Centre Region.
AAUW State College has held its Used Book Sale for close to 60 years. In recent years, the sale netted over $100,000 annually to support women and children locally. In 2020, the branch was forced to cancel the beloved used book sale due to COVID. However, while the sale and the resulting income all but disappeared, the scholarships and community grants AAUW awarded pre-COVID were even more important to those in need. The branch chose to honor its commitments, as did many other local nonprofits.
In the face of these financial challenges, it has become increasingly important for non-profits, like their business counterparts, to communicate more effectively by increasing their accessibility. In late December, AAUW State College launched a redesigned website focused on providing more information about the branch and its opportunities to our Centre Region neighbors. As a local branch of AAUW National, State College is one of the largest branches nationally, with over 150 active members. We also are a five-star branch, a designation given to a handful of branches.
We are full of optimism for the future! Visit us on our new site at: https://aauwstatecollege.org
Cindy Hall and Sally Kalin, Co-Presidents, AAUW State College