PHOTO BY RUTH FRY/The Luminary Betsy Lepley from the Muncy Business and Professional Women's organization presents a check to Jim Michael with the Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Company.

MUNCY – Since 1922 the Muncy Business and Professional Women (MBPW) have been organizing fundraisers and making community donations to various other organizations in the area. It began with scholarships awarded to seniors and recently they honored a senior during class night on May 29th.

According to Betsy Lepley, treasurer of the MBPW, the group organizes their fundraisers each year when they meet during the 8 months of the year. “We pick four or five organizations every year to help benefit the community and keep it local,” she said.

This year so far they have supported the Muncy Public Library and the Muncy pool, and most recently a check was presented to the Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Company.

Some of the ways they raise money are through bake sales and sandwich sales and many members contribute monetary donations. They also put up a raffle basket at the Muncy Lawn Party each year and help with the Lights of Love event at the Muncy Valley Hospital.

The organization meets at the First United Methodist Church in Muncy. Originally in the early 1900’s when the group began, they met two times a month at the Muncy YWCA which was later known as the Frey Hotel. “After that we met at the Baptist Church in Muncy and at members’ houses,” Lepley replied. “We also took hikes to Trout Pond Park for a picnic supper.”

The MPBW continues to meet and give back to the community. “It’s all about community building,” Lepley added. The ladies raise approximately $3,000 every year and have made monetary donations to SunnyBrook Meadows Therapeutic riding center and Megan’s Box. Besides scholarships, other projects include, the Muncy Public Library for reading programs for kids and swimming classes at the Muncy pool for kids.

Current officers are: Janice O’Dell, President; Barb McPheron, Vice-President; Carla Shipman, Secretary; and Betsy Lepley, Treasurer. There are currently about 30 active members and new members are always welcome.