What We Care About

The services that we are passionate about are as diverse as the community that we call home. Over the years, we have developed and honed our areas of focus through the shared interests of Carl and Margaret, and their children and grandchildren who are involved in the Foundation.

What We Care About

Faith

Our faith in God is the leading source of our joy and strength as we seek to glorify Him in all we do and in the decisions we make as a family. Organizations who share the gospel of Jesus Christ are at the heart of our vision for the future.

Family

As a close-knit family, the Wengers desire to support ministries whose mission is to strengthen families, youth and individuals in various life situations.

Farming

The Wenger family heritage has been steeped in agriculture, so naturally this plays a large part in their desire to train and mentor those seeking careers related to farming and associated endeavors.

Community

Getting involved and serving hands-on beyond meeting financial needs is where true joy comes from. Nonprofit organizations that meet basic community needs such as providing shelter, feeding the hungry, and helping those who have fallen on hard times are vital to a vibrant and thriving community. The Wengers find joy in pursuing a vision of giving to the local community alongside their friends and business partners.

OUR PRAISE DINNER PARTNERS

Our annual Praise Dinner is the Foundation’s keystone event and the funds we raise there are crucial contributions for nonprofits in the community. A sponsorship group of businesses and individuals cover our expenses for the dinner so that all ticket money goes to participating ministries. We are so grateful to this sponsorship group and table sponsors who support the Praise Dinner year after year. Here are the four nonprofits that we cherish, which all Praise Dinner proceeds go to support.

The mission of Jubilee Ministries is to serve those affected by incarceration by being ambassadors of life change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They do this by ministering to men and women through their 14 chaplains inside 10 prisons across Pennsylvania. Men and women coming out of prison may transition into Jubilee’s residential Aftercare Program where they engage spiritual, social, financial, career, and life skills development. Their goal is to rebuild, restore, and renew lives caught in cycles of incarceration, addiction, and unhealthy relationships.

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Jubilee chaplains may share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the more than 6000 male and female inmates that fill the prisons where they minister.

The mission of OnFire Youth Ministries is to share the transformative life of Jesus with students and their families through nurturing relationships and life-changing opportunities in education, coaching, and friendship; challenging students to think, love, and pray more. The vision of the ministry is to impact individuals and transform lives to create Jesus-centered communities.

“Carl really challenged me a lot of times to think outside the box and how to broaden our impact,” said John Kline, founder and executive director of OnFire Youth. “We here at OnFire Youth Ministries are extremely grateful to the Wenger Family for their generosity, their influence, their planting of seeds in our lives, allowing us to plant seeds in the lives of young people to change the world.”

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OnFire Youth Ministry serves over 200 youth with 43 hours of programming each week.

Motivated by Christian faith, COBYS Family Services educates, supports and empowers children and adults to reach their full potential. Donations from the Praise Dinner directly support the organization’s Family Life Education services. Additional ministries include foster care, adoption and counseling. The COBYS Difference is built on the core values of sanctity of life, integrity, faith, teamwork and servanthood.

“Contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations like the Wengers’ Foundation, bridge the gap,” said Mark Cunningham, executive director of COBYS. “They allow to do services for these kids and families that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to do. They have contributed getting close to $500,000. We are so grateful for the Wengers, all those that contribute to the Praise Dinner and through other means, and for the support that they give to our ministries.”

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COBYS Family Services provides Family Life Education services to more than 1,000 adults, youth and children each year.

Friendship Community is a Christian ministry cultivating capabilities of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Autism since 1972. The vision of Friendship Community is to impact the world with capabilities. Their faith-based disability services include residential services, day programs, and life enrichment opportunities.

“Over the years the Wengers have loved the Individuals served by Friendship Community, and have been a part of who we are,” said Mary Ellen Farber, CEO of Friendship Community.  “The way in which they have given of themselves, their wisdom, and the connection between who they are and who we are has been a connection with impact.  We are so grateful and thankful for the love and connection that we have had with Carl, Margaret and their family.”   We look forward to a future of impacting lives together!

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Friendship Community assists 205 people: 80 individuals, plus 25 Home Based Services and 100 in Day Services.

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The Wenger Family and Carl and Margaret in particular have a very long history of supporting the annual Brethren Disaster Relief Auction. This auction raises funds for local, national and worldwide relief for natural disasters.

Megan Rose Walmer, Carl and Margaret’s granddaughter, was a third-generation member of the Heifer Sale Committee, which is part of the larger auction. She was following in the footsteps of Carl, and her father. In 2015, Megan passed away at the age of 26. A memorial fund has been established in her memory for the support of the Heifer Auction.

Calvary Chapel Women’s Shelter on Willow provides the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through biblical discipleship, healthy relationships, and service in a structured home.

WellSpan’s mission is, “working as one to improve health through exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness and healthy communities.” Your gifts benefit the community in a number of ways, including the WellSpan Sechler Family Cancer Center which provides state-of-the-art cancer care by compassionate care givers, the Patient Support Fund provides assistance to individuals struggling to pay for their vital prescriptions,and medical education programs which ensure our care providers remain up-to-date.

Community Homes of Lebanon is a 501(c)3 non-profit that has been in operation since 1968. The organization provides quality and affordable housing to seniors and persons with disabilities in Lebanon County, through eight residential locations and two commercial facilities, which leases to Albright LIFE Center – an alternative to a skilled nursing facility for individuals 55+ – and Union Community Care Dental Clinic.

Currently, Community Homes of Lebanon serves 300 people within 290 dwellings. Construction on the ninth residential facility will begin in the fall of 2022. The new facility, Canal Affordable Housing, will provide 23 single-story cottages for disadvantaged people ages 18+, whose annual individual income may be $17,900 or lower, which is 30% of the Area Median Income. All dwellings will be handicap accessible.