A Quarryville couple is putting their money where their hearts are.

The husband and wife, who reside in the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community and wish to remain anonymous, started a philanthropy partnership called Putting Others First (POF) on May 13, 2024.

"We're all for building POF into something that's recognizable in the community, but it's irrelevant who we are," Mr. POF explained.

The couple, who are each in their early 80s, brought two other individuals into the fold to form a four-person organization. "They were chosen because they are a generation younger," said Mrs. POF. "We want to pass the idea on."

Mr. POF added, "We are firm believers in giving back, as the old term goes, and we don't want to die with a huge bank account. We'd rather put it to other uses. So we put this group together, not only to help us now, but to keep it going."

Putting Others First is not actively seeking more partners, but the group is searching for registered 501(c)(3) charities that need assistance.

"We are looking for other nonprofit organizations that are looking for funding for a project," Mr. POF said. "If their need fits our mission statement, then we would consider helping them."

POF's mission statement is "Putting Others First serves our local community by providing funds to support initiatives focused on basic needs, education and emergency response care."

The partnership primarily serves the Southern End of Lancaster County. Groups that are in need can email pofpartners@gmail.com for additional information.

The couple that founded Putting Others First has been heavily involved with philanthropic efforts for 25 years, initially through national organizations. "We realized we can make a difference here," said Mr. POF. "We can help people here."

Mrs. POF said, as part of their estate planning, the couple had many discussions about how to help the local community, and Putting Others First was the result of those conversations.

Mr. and Mrs. POF said they love a statement they saw in a "Peanuts" cartoon last year that reads, "Be the reason someone smiles today."

"It informally says what we are all about and what makes us happy," said Mr. POF. The couple demonstrates that by occasionally passing out $20 bills to people they see around Quarryville who might be able to use some extra money.

Putting Others First is working with Lancaster Dollars for Higher Learning to pay off four student loans per year. POF supports the Lancaster Emergency Medical Services Association (LEMSA) by sponsoring EMS Week, an annual company family picnic, and a holiday celebration.

The philanthropy partnership is offering two scholarships per year to Solanco High School seniors and helps Solanco Neighborhood Ministries (SNM) with various projects, including matching grant programs. "The Putting Others First partnership has been a wonderful supporter of Solanco Neighborhood Ministries, and most recently of its Summer SWEEP (Student Weekend Eating Program)," said SNM executive director Teresa Dolan. "They have a heart for serving others, and they enjoy doing the most good for those in the Southern End."

Putting Others First is sponsoring a summer intern program at the Quarryville Library and providing the funding for all of the children and youth programs at the Strasburg-Heisler Library in 2025. "Putting Other First stepped in to fill a great need at our library when we lost a big chunk of funding designated for our 2025 children's programming," Strasburg-Heisler Library director JJ Landis said. "This kind of practical need fulfillment is what POF is all about. When people selflessly share with their community, hope and joy spread and inspire others to help their neighbors as well."

Mrs. POF cited a quote from anthropologist and author Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."