Nonprofit to reward people who donated to canceled West Leechburg fundraiser

Ian Coyle isn’t letting a canceled fundraiser stop him from doing something nice for people.

Coyle, founder and president of the nonprofit Semper Gratus, will be handing out Semper Gratus cups and gift baskets at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Leechburg on Aug. 16.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Coyle had to make the difficult decision to cancel his nonprofit’s fifth annual “Small Town, Loud Voice” fundraiser in West Leechburg.

The two-part fundraiser features a Shamrock Shuffle 5K race, which takes place in the morning, and a St. Patrick’s Day dance, which occurs at night. At first, the event was postponed, but as time went on, it had to be canceled for safety and logistical reasons.

“I believe we have a social responsibility and a sensitivity to attendees, and also our guests of honor,” Coyle told the Tribune-Review in July. “Our guests of honor are all immunocompromised in some form or fashion. We want to be mindful of those in attendance.”

The nonprofit partners with a different foundation to support a new cause each year. This year’s benefactor was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Despite the event being canceled, people pooled together to raise about $29,000 for the society. The money raised came from corporate and private donors and people who donated the cost of their tickets. Donations are still being accepted via the organization’s website.

Coyle wanted to do something to reward people’s generosity. He decided to give those who donated the cost of their tickets the chance to win the gift baskets that were supposed to be prizes at the dance’s silent auction.

There are 40 gift baskets. Among the baskets’ themes are Barbie, the Pittsburgh Penguins, tools, hunting and adult game night. Each ticket holder will get one chance to win each gift basket. The names of the ticket holders will be entered into an online app that will choose the winners at random, Coyle said.

The winners will be picked Sunday, Aug. 9, and then notified. They can pick up their gift basket at Sprankle’s from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Aug. 16.

The nonprofit also will be handing out green plastic cups bearing its insignia to anyone who shops at the store that Sunday. The cups were to be given out to those attending the dance.

Coyle stressed that the Aug. 16 giveaway isn’t a fundraiser. He just wants to do something nice for the community.

“Since we cancelled the event we got, like, 400 mugs now, and as an act of kindness we’re going to give them out to the patrons that are stopping by Spankle’s,” Coyle said.

In response to Semper Gratus’ efforts, the Western Pennsylvania & West Virginia chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society issued a statement.

“Organizations like Ian’s continuing on in the face of a pandemic are so important because while so many things are cancelled, cancer isn’t. The only way to continue to offer hope and compassion and the promise of a world without cancer is through the continued support of our communities.”