VFTCB’s #MontCoStrong T-Shirts Raise Another $10k, Reach $25,000 Goal

The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s #MontCoStrong t-shirt fundraiser has raised another $10,000 for a final total of $25,000 being donated to the MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund.

The initiative sold more than 700 t-shirts at $25 apiece with all of the proceeds being collected for the fund, which was established to support local relief efforts in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

With the community’s support, the fundraiser began in April with the first $10,000 being raised by June. The Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) made a $5,000 contribution. Since then, the VFTCB extended the fundraiser throughout the summer with a goal of raising more than $25,000.

“We can’t thank the Montco community enough for their generosity,” said Mike Bowman, President & CEO of the VFTCB. “So many are struggling right now, and it means a lot to help those in need. We’re not surprised. We knew we could count on people coming together because this county truly is #MontCoStrong. That’s what’s going to get us through this.”  

The fund is exclusively assisting community safety net organizations critically impacted by the current public health crisis such as those serving low-income and food-insecure residents, senior citizens, veterans, homeless and homebound individuals.

The VFTCB designed the shirt, and partnered with DJB Specialties, Inc., a VFTCB member in North Wales that specializes in custom apparel and promotional products. The VFTCB continues to ask those who bought shirts to share who they’re #MontCoStrong for by posting images of themselves wearing the shirts on social media. The organization is also continuing to raise awareness and remind folks to support local businesses through blog content on its website, social media channels, and billboards.

The MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund is a partnership between Montgomery County HealthSpark Foundation, Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn, BLBB Charitable, AmerisourceBergen Foundation, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, Inc., Genuardi Family Foundation, and Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia, and the County’s three nonprofit collaboratives BuxMont Collaborative, TriCounty Community Network, and the Interagency Council of Norristown are also founding partners. The partners seeded the fund with $250,000, but more donations are needed to meet the demand.

If people want to make a tax deductible donation directly to the fund, they can do so online at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19, or by check payable to Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., with MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund in the memo, and mailed to Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., 4 Sentry Parkway, #302, Blue Bell, PA 19422. The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc.’s EIN is 23-3070457.*

*The official registration and financial information of The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires that we notify you that The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. has exclusive legal control over the contributed assets.

About the MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund:

In 2020, Montgomery County officials and Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., established the MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund to provide funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for the benefit of Montgomery County residents suffering the impact of the COVID-19 emergency. The COVID-19 outbreak continues to be a rapidly evolving situation. To get the latest information and updates regarding COVID-19, please visit the Montco COVID-19 Data Hub at www.montcopa.org/covid-19. For more information about the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., visit -www.mcfoundationinc.org.