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As May comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a month full of celebration, connection, and unforgettable moments across Lancaster County. From the excitement of Trike Race and celebrating our new office with a ribbon cutting, to honoring our incredible VITA volunteers and surprising Women United grantees with full funding, this month was filled with opportunities to come together and celebrate the impact in our community.
Throughout May, we strengthened partnerships, celebrated the people who make this work possible, and continued building momentum around the initiatives that move our community forward. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us this month and look forward to all that’s ahead this summer!
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Thank you to everyone who joined us — alongside the Lancaster Chamber — for the ribbon cutting celebration of United Way of Lancaster County’s new home at 2121 Oregon Pike!
The event was a wonderful opportunity to welcome community partners, supporters, volunteers, and friends as we officially opened our new space and celebrated this exciting chapter for our organization. We are grateful to the Lancaster Chamber and to all who attended and continue to support our mission.
We look forward to continuing to serve Lancaster County from our new location and building even stronger connections throughout the community.
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Women United Grantees Get Surprise in Honor of Kay Burky
Women United recently gathered for an inspiring evening of philanthropy and purpose — investing $100,000 into five local nonprofit organizations advancing the health and wellbeing of women and teen girls across Lancaster County.
The evening also included a special tribute to Kay Burky, Chair of Women United, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Kay’s leadership, generosity, and passion for empowering women left a lasting impact on both Women United and the Lancaster County community. Her husband, Scott Burky, joined attendees as Women United honored her legacy and shared his continued commitment to United Way’s mission. Through a generous gift made in Kay’s honor, Women United was able to fully fund all five finalist grant requests.
2026 Women United Grant Recipients
Together, these grants will support innovative, community-centered initiatives that expand access to care and strengthen wellbeing for women and teen girls across Lancaster County.
By the Numbers
- $100,000 invested locally
- 5 nonprofit organizations funded
- $20,000 awarded to each initiative
We are grateful to everyone who made this event and grant funding possible.
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Tax Season Results
The 2025 tax season was one of VITA Lancaster’s most impactful to date, powered by 198 volunteers who dedicated more than 11,000 volunteer hours to serving the community. Together, they completed over 9,000 tax returns and helped put millions of dollars back into the hands of local individuals and families.
These results reflect the continued need for free, high-quality tax preparation services across Lancaster County, particularly for ALICE households and others who may not be able to afford traditional tax preparation. Through trusted volunteer support, VITA helps ensure taxpayers access the refunds and credits they are eligible for—strengthening financial stability across the region.
Year after year, the program’s reach continues to grow, driven by strong community partnerships and the extraordinary commitment of volunteers who make this work possible.
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VITA Volunteer Appreciation Lunch Recap
United Way of Lancaster County recently hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Lunch to celebrate the dedicated volunteers who made another successful VITA tax season possible!
Throughout the season, VITA volunteers generously gave their time and expertise to help local individuals and families access free tax preparation services, maximize refunds, and reduce financial stress. Their commitment plays a vital role in supporting our community each year.
The appreciation lunch provided an opportunity to recognize the impact of our volunteers, reflect on another successful season, and thank them for the countless hours they contributed to serving Lancaster County residents.
We are incredibly grateful for every volunteer who helped make this year’s VITA program a success!
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Explore the Latest PA 211 East Community Data
PA 211 East regularly shares monthly and quarterly contact volume reports for Berks and Lancaster Counties, providing valuable insight into the needs and challenges facing our community.
Visit pa211east.org to explore and download the latest reports and learn more about how 211 is connecting individuals and families to critical resources every day.
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Supporting ALICE Families Year-Round
United Way of Lancaster County believes every child deserves opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive year-round — regardless of a family’s financial situation. Through investments in early childhood education and summer enrichment, these initiatives help ALICE families stay supported during both the school year and summer months.
Families with young children spend an average of $12,000 annually on early childhood education, with infant and toddler care often costing even more. Through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Pre-K Scholarship Program, business contributions totaled $101,828 this year, providing 37 ALICE families an average of $2,752 in pre-K tuition assistance. The program also supported 10 Pre-K Counts families who would otherwise see weekly fees increase from $30 to $300 per week.
That financial pressure continues through the summer, when enrichment programs can average $200 per week per child. Through the Summer Youth Experience initiative — in partnership with the Rotary Club of Lancaster — $80,000 was invested in organizations creating meaningful summer opportunities for local youth, including Music for Everyone, SWAN – Scaling Walls A Note at a Time, Advantage Lancaster, and Horizons at Lancaster Country Day.
Together, these initiatives reflect one shared commitment: ensuring the cost of childhood opportunities never stands in the way of a child’s future.
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Lend a Hand, Make a Difference
Due to popular demand, Hospice & Community Care’s Spring 2026 SoulMates Teen Volunteer Program training will be held on Monday, June 15, from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Pathways Center for Grief & Loss in Mount Joy.
This unique program gives students ages 15–18 the opportunity to provide companionship and support to hospice patients through activities such as visiting, storytelling, music, gardening, and more. Inspired by the legacy of Alexandra Weitzel, the program offers teens a meaningful way to serve their community while developing leadership skills and exploring future career interests. Interested students can apply at the link below.
We encourage you to share this opportunity with students who may be interested in making a meaningful impact in the lives of others!
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14th Annual Back to School Event
The 14th Annual Back to School Event, hosted by Rep. Nikki Rivera and Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, is right around the corner. As one of Lancaster County’s largest school readiness initiatives, this event helps ensure students begin the school year equipped, confident, and ready to learn.
In 2024, the event supported more than 2,400 students, with the help of over 360 volunteers and 80+ community partners—a powerful reflection of what can be accomplished when the community comes together in support of local families.
The 2025 event will take place on Sunday, August 10 from 12:00–4:00 p.m. at Penn Medicine Park. Volunteers are needed to help make this year’s event another success.
To sign up, visit the 14th Annual Back to School Event Volunteer Sign-Up, or explore additional opportunities through our Online Volunteer Center:
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Trike Race Recap
The 2026 Trike Race brought together partners, supporters, and community members for one of United Way of Lancaster County’s most spirited and high-energy annual events. Hosted at Armstrong World Industries, the day delivered friendly competition, plenty of laughter, and strong community pride as teams raced their way through a course designed for fun and fundraising.
From start to finish, the event showcased what makes this tradition so special—local organizations showing up not just to compete, but to connect, celebrate, and support United Way’s mission in Lancaster County. Teams brought creativity, enthusiasm, and plenty of team spirit, making each heat more exciting than the last.
Armstrong World Industries came out on top, taking 1st place, followed by Univest in 2nd and High Companies bringing home the bronze medal.
Beyond the races, attendees enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere filled with cheering crowds, team costumes, and moments that captured the best of Lancaster’s community spirit. The event once again highlighted the power of coming together in support of building stronger, more stable futures for local families.
United Way of Lancaster County extends sincere thanks to Armstrong World Industries for hosting (and winning!), as well as to all participating teams, volunteers, and supporters who made this year’s Trike Race a success.
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Save these dates and view our events calendar by clicking the link below!
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Leadership Event - June 18th @ Kissel Valley Farm
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Back to School Event - August 9th @ Penn Medicine Park
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SAVE THE DATE: United in Impact - September 10th @ The Ware Center
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SAVE THE DATE: Week of Caring - September 14th-19th
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