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During this time of uncertainty and crisis due to COVID-19, nonprofit organizations have been forced to cancel fundraisers and events, and one local group is uniquely positioned to help.
				Thanks to 501cFree Raise to the Finish, an initiative of the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre being chaired by Elyse Wilson and co-chair Jason Nataupsky, the public can vote for a nominated nonprofit to receive promotional assistance, fundraising help and donations. It begins virtually on Wednesday, April 1 at www.501cFree.info.
				Only one organization will win a grand prize, but all will benefit with promotional fundraising assistance and donations.
				&ldquo;The Westmoreland Club has been a cornerstone of Wilkes-Barre since 1873, known mostly for fine dining and elegant events,&rdquo; Wilson said. &ldquo;Last year I was tasked with bringing to life an integral part of the Westmoreland Club&rsquo;s Vision, &lsquo;We care about and influence our surrounding community and engage in philanthropic outreach.&rsquo;&rdquo;
				What does the winning organization get?
				A $5,000 credit toward hosting a fundraising event at the Westmoreland Club, in addition to being the 2020 beneficiary of the club&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s committee&rsquo;s &ldquo;Acts of Kindness&rdquo; event in December, which last year raised more than $5,000.
				The nonprofits will participate in a competition where anyone in the world can vote for them thanks to the Luzerne Foundation&rsquo;s secure voting portal.
				There are two rounds of voting: April 1-30 and July 1-30, and all that is required to vote is a donation of $5 or $10 (depending on the round). The second round of voting is for the top 15 organizations.
				Then, a reveal party will be held at the Westmoreland Club on Aug. 15, at which the winner will be announced.
				But, every participating organization seemingly wins thanks to companies like Westmoreland Worldwide, MLB Advertising and Omnitized, which will provide each with a media kit to help promote themselves on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and e-mail. This will help the companies spread their messages to the community while asking for votes.
				It&rsquo;s a win-win for all parties, including Wilson and Nataupsky, who are enlisting the help of the Westmoreland Club&rsquo;s network to generate support.
				&ldquo;Through our vast network of business professionals and community resources, ever-willing to give back, we found an exciting way to engage, enrich and elevate our local non-profits,&rdquo; Wilson said. I couldn&rsquo;t be more proud to be part of this movement.&rdquo;
				Nataupsky echoed those sentiments.
				&ldquo;It&rsquo;s rare that you are given the unique opportunity to utilize an establishment like the Westmoreland Club, to help directly benefit some of the best organizations that make our tight knit community so wonderful,&rdquo; he said.
				To learn more or vote for a nonprofit, visit www.501cFree.info.
				The nonprofits
				Here are the nominees: The Lands at Hillside Farms, Dress for Success for Luzerne County, Social Fabric Collective, Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center, North Branch Land Trust, Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity, Pathways Unplanned Pregnancy Help Center Inc., Rescue Warrior Cat Rescue, Volunteers in Medicine, Wyoming Valley Children&rsquo;s Association, Victims Resource Center, Wyoming Seminary, NEPA Inclusive, Blue Chip Animal Farm Refuge, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Community Services for Sight, The Jump Start Cart, Mureille&rsquo;s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, Think Pink Foundation, Brighter Journeys, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, SPCA of Luzerne County, Serendipity Therapeutic Riding Center, Leadership Wilkes-Barre, Juvenile Diabetes Organization of NEPA, Osterhout Free Library, Educational Opportunity Centers of PA, CASA of Luzerne County, Puck Cancer, Keystone Mission, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge, Maternal and Family Health Services, I&rsquo;m Big Now, Westmoreland Club Charitable Foundation, Candy&rsquo;s Place.

Nonprofit voting set to begin April 1