Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle Awards $27,500 to Local Nonprofits

STATE COLLEGE, PA (October 15, 2025) — At Centre Foundation’s annual Giving Circle reception held Tuesday evening at Axemann Brewery, Centre Foundation awarded $27,500 to three local nonprofits addressing vital community needs: Centre LifeLink EMS, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM).

Each organization presented their projects to Giving Circle members, who pool their resources to make a greater impact in Centre County. After an inspiring round of presentations, Centre LifeLink EMS received the top grant of $14,000 to help fully license a new ambulance, Sleep in Heavenly Peace received $8,500 to provide beds for children in need and Centre Volunteers in Medicine received $5,000 to enhance diagnostic testing for uninsured patients.

Centre LifeLink EMS will purchase the final two pieces of equipment needed to fully license a new ambulance: a Stair Pro Stair Chair and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Once licensed, the new vehicle will expand emergency response capacity throughout the Centre Region. “This ambulance will become our eighth in the fleet, allowing us to better serve our community’s increasing need for service.” said Scott Rawson, Executive Director of Centre LifeLink EMS.

Across Centre County, many children still sleep on couches or floors due to financial hardship. The Lock Haven–Centre County chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds and delivers twin beds complete with mattresses, sheets, pillows, and blankets to children who need them most. “Through this grant, we’ll be able to build and deliver 24 additional beds to families throughout Centre County,” said Laura Orndorf, Chapter President. “Each bed means a child who can finally sleep safely and comfortably in their own space.”

Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) will use its grant to expand its Point-of-Care Lab, allowing clinicians to provide rapid, in-house diagnostic testing. The project will reduce costly external lab use while improving access, quality of care, and health equity for uninsured and underinsured patients. “This support allows us to deliver faster, more comprehensive care,” said Paula Williams, Executive Director of CVIM. “For many patients, it means same-day answers and quicker treatment.”

Since its founding in 2006, the Centre Foundation Giving Circle has distributed more than $295,000 in grants to nonprofits across Centre County, supporting programs in housing, health, education, and community development. “The Giving Circle shows what’s possible when people come together to make a difference,” said Molly Kunkel, President and CEO of Centre Foundation. “Each member contributes to a shared fund, but what they really give is the power to change lives together.”

For more information about joining the Giving Circle, visit CentreFoundation.org or contact Kerry Tolton at kerry@centrefoundation.org or 814.237.6229.