The Foundation for Delaware County’s Delco Gives marathon raised more than $1.6 million in less than 24 hours to help nonprofits who had registered for the May 8-9 event, writes Justin Odo for KYW Newsradio.   

Foundation President Frances Sheehan said the Foundation had a goal of raising a few hundred thousand for about a hundred area nonprofits.

Instead, “We passed the million-dollar mark in our 24-hour online giving day to support over 280 nonprofits serving Delaware County,” said Sheehan. “It’s been very, very powerful. The vibe has been so enthusiastic, so generous.”

The nonprofits came from all over—from Wayne, Chester, Upper Darby, Sharon Hill, and Garnet Valley, from “organizations as big as our community college and Natural Lands to organizations that are very small.”

Some of those groups include the Boys and Girls Club of Chester, Mitzvah Circle Foundation and Tyler Arboretum.

Several libraries and schools were also recipients of donations.

 “The pandemic isn’t completely in the rear view for the nonprofits. The need is still really there,” Sheehan said.

Accompanying the fundraising were countywide celebrations that included a piggyback event at Media’s Dining Under the Stars Wednesday and a separate closing festival Thursday at Rose Tree Park.

Find out more about the success of Delco Gives at KYW Newsradio.