The fact that Warren County is losing population has been drummed into our collective heads over the past 30 or 40 years.

But the drumbeat of discouraging population news or disappointing economic news doesn’t obscure the fact that even as our population shrinks, our community’s generosity does not.

Recently, we reported on the 2025 United Fund of Warren County’s Torchlight Campaign, which reached its $725,000 goal with support coming from a wide variety of sources, including a growing number of small businesses and individual donors.

Like April showers bring May flowers, the end of the Torchlight Campaign brings the Community Foundation of Warren County’s Warren Gives drive from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 14. There are dozens of ways to donate, but a good place to start is visiting warrengives.com between now and May 14 to see both how to donate and participating organizations that are asking for your support or contact the Community Foundation of Warren County office at 814-726-9553 or by visiting 310 Second Ave., Warren. We’re sure there’s something on the growing list of organizations taking part in Warren Gives this year that most county residents can find a cause near and dear to their heart. Warren Gives is in its 13th year. In 2024, the daylong drive distributed $941,952 to 107 participating organizations.

The agencies that receive support from the United Fund and that receive Warren Gives funding do important work in our community that includes advocating for abused children, working with those with disabilities, educating children, responding to natural disasters and fires, providing youth programs and engaging with our senior citizens.

It’s important work. And all of you help provide it – at least in part because Warren County residents realize that while our population shrinks, our community’s needs don’t shrink either.