NICHOLS, NY (WENY) -- As part of Giving Tuesday, Tioga Downs awarded two million dollars worth of grants to over 100 organizations across Tioga (NY), Bradford, Broome, and Chemung Counties. The Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation aims to support non-profits that help make communities better.

"Collectively, the impact of $2M is huge for this area. I know that a lot of our non-profits are struggling right now and this money might mean them being able to stay open and continuing to do the work that they do," said Executive Director of the Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation, Jill Teeter.

In total, 109 organizations were highlighted for their work in their communities. They received checks in various amounts that will help each in a way.

The Chenango Ambulance Services received about $10,000. The non-profit's President said the money will allow them to buy new technology.

"We use tablets on all of our ambulance services when we go on calls and [we will use the money] to upgrade some of our existing technologies such as our computers in our station," said the President of the Chenango Ambulance Services, Sydney Tse.

She added how they use tablets during calls to document all patient care they perform. Tse reiterated how this benefits the non-profit and community.

"A lot of our tablets are older [and] some of them are kind of broken so this will allow us to better provide patient care. [It will also] accurately document all of our patient care, and [we] can use these to communicate and improve communication with the hospital as well," said Tse.

A bit closer to home, Elmira's Economic Opportunity Program received $50,000. Anita Lewis, the Chief Development Officer said this amount should last them about a year. She said it will be used for the Emerging Care Food Program, which helps with curbside meals, adult meals in the summer, and a pudding for the Head Start kids.

"It’s strictly for our community. [The] curbside meals help people get from one month to the next or one day to the next [like] homeless people, people [who] just need a little help, that’s what this is for. There’s no amount too small that we receive to feed the people in our communities," said Lewis.

More than 170 organizations applied, which was a record number of applicants. Non-profits are encouraged to apply again next year, regardless of whether a grant was awarded or not. Applications for the 2025 grant awards open on January 6th, 2025.