December Grant Vote

It’s the final grant vote of the year—and we’re closing 2025 with extra holiday cheer!

This month, we’ve selected five incredible charities to compete for two $2,500 HARTZ PT Grants. Your vote helps shine a light on the organizations making a meaningful impact in our community. Cast your vote and help us spread some holiday generosity!

The December Nominees:

Dave Costarella has been juggling multi-careers for decades, roofer/carpenter, songwriter and bandleader of 30 year and still going strong, Horn-Powered Rockin’ Blues band D.C. & Co. and for the last eight winters, taking care of the folks that sleep on Lancaster, PA’s city’s streets with his initiative program “My People On The Streets”.

After several years of advocating for the local homeless and unsuccessfully trying to implement changes from the local government and homeless coalition, in April of 2023 he started a new initiative “My People Clean Up” which soon became “Hand Up Partners. The program collects donations and passes them to members of the homeless community who clean up city parks, community areas and whole neighborhoods for a $20 a day stipend.

The program’s success in restoring self-dignity and purpose in the workers, maintaining clean community areas, and bringing the housed and non-housed together as one community has been extremely rewarding for all.

Hope Inspire Love is a passionate team of dreamers who work hard to fight and put an end to human trafficking, child and sex exploitation and abolish modern-day slavery.

Hope Inspire Love is more than just an organization providing help; they are fighting for freedom—and freedom is their legacy! Through tours, events, school and organizational education tools and resources, campaigns, and social media, they come alongside survivors and empower them to use their voices by spreading a message of hope and help and raising awareness for human trafficking to a broader audience than we could have ever anticipated.

Lancaster County Project for the Needy is committed to ensuring that every family in our community has access to nutritious meals, especially during the holiday season. Through generosity, volunteer efforts, and local partnerships, we strive to alleviate food insecurity and bring hope to those facing hardship. We believe that no one should go hungry, and together, we can make a meaningful difference—one meal, one family, one community at a time.”

The Lancaster Public Library inspires, empowers, and strengthens our community by connecting people with information, ideas, and enriching experiences. By providing equitable access to vital educational resources, exceptional programming, and community building opportunities, the Lancaster Public Library is recognized as a dynamic center of knowledge and a cornerstone of a thriving Lancaster community.

Lancaster Snow Angels is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to serving neighbors when they need a helping hand the most. What began as a simple idea — clearing snow for seniors and individuals with mobility, medical, or financial challenges — has grown into a compassionate community movement rooted in kindness, service, and safety.

Each winter, their volunteers shovel walkways, clear driveways, and assist residents who otherwise risk injury, missed medical appointments, or dangerous isolation. They focus on older adults, people living with disabilities, veterans, families facing hardship, and anyone without access to safe snow removal options.

It isn’t just about snow — it’s about connection. Their volunteers check in, share a smile, and make sure neighbors feel seen and supported. Their goal is to make winter safer, warmer, and more accessible for everyone.