From the Executive’s Desk: Why ExtraGive Matters to Our Community
As ExtraGive approaches, I find myself thinking about the neighbors who walk through our doors; each carrying a different story, a different struggle and a different hope for what comes next. I’m reminded that the heart of ECHOS has always been community. We show up for one another here in Lancaster County, and ExtraGive is one of the clearest reflections of that spirit.
The Day That Helps Us Meet People Where They Are
ExtraGive isn’t just a fundraising event. It’s a chance for our community to step alongside the individuals and families we support every day. When someone is facing homelessness, instability, or hardship, our first job is to meet them where they are, without judgment, and walk with them as they chart their own course toward stability.
Last year alone, ECHOS supported 618 neighbors on their path to stability, provided emergency shelter to 80 individuals, and provided over 1,900 hours of direct case management. These numbers aren’t just data points; they’re proof of what can happen when a community chooses compassion.
How Matching Gifts Multiply Kindness
This year, we are grateful to have several matches that will stretch the impact of every single gift:
Our Board’s Match: $23,000
First Commonwealth Bank: $1,500
Shafco Packaging Company / Dr. Reuben & Sarah Gross Family History House/Steph’n Sara’s Naturals: $1,000
These matches don’t just double donations; they double the possibility. When someone gives $25, $50, or $100 on ExtraGive, that gift immediately grows, allowing us to support more neighbors in crisis, help families find their footing, and continue building a safety net where none existed before.
A Community Built on Gratitude
We could not do this work without the generosity and vision of the Lancaster County Community Foundation and all of their sponsoring partners. Their commitment makes it possible for nonprofits like ECHOS to share our mission and connect with people who believe in walking beside their neighbors.
Their leadership reminds us that lasting change happens when a community comes together. Each person offering what they can, each gift adding up to something powerful.
Join Us on November 21
On Friday, November 21, 2025, I invite you to be part of this day of kindness and connection. Whether you give, share our story, attend one of our community events, or encourage a friend to support ECHOS, you are helping a neighbor take their next step forward.
Because here, when Lancaster County gives extra, we all move forward together.
With gratitude,
Ashley Bulley, MPA
Executive Director, ECHOS