About Crawford Connects
Crawford Connects is a community resource supported by the Family & Community Christian Association (FCCA), created to help neighbors connect with one another through service, shared information, and local opportunities.
At its core, Crawford Connects exists to make three things easier:
Finding and sharing community events
Connecting volunteers with local needs
Recognizing the time and care people give back through service hours
There is no cost to participate, no membership required, and no expectation beyond good faith and respect for the community.
The Backstory
Crawford Connects did not start as a new idea.
In 2019, FCCA helped preserve a long-standing volunteer network in Crawford County when changes to federal guidelines threatened to eliminate how much community service was being formally recognized. Rather than letting years of volunteer work disappear, local leaders chose to rebuild the effort as a locally supported, community-first initiative.
Then 2020 happened.
COVID disrupted nearly every aspect of community life. Programs paused. Priorities shifted. And the steady leadership that helped guide so much of this work was lost when FCCA Executive Director Regina Merritt passed away.
Some things simply stopped — not because they weren’t important, but because the world changed.
Still, the need never went away.
Years later, looking back at what had been built — and what the community had already proven it was willing to give — it became clear that the work was worth continuing.
Crawford Connects is that continuation.
Not a rewind.
Not a replacement.
But a renewed commitment to community connection, built with what we’ve learned.
How Crawford Connects Works
Crawford Connects is intentionally simple and accessible.
Volunteer hours are self-reported on the honor system
Requests and submissions are reviewed before being shared
The focus is on local, practical, community-centered support
The platform exists to connect — not to manage, monetize, or control
We act as a connector, not a service provider.
Why the Weekly Newsletter Matters
The heart of Crawford Connects is the weekly email.
Each week, subscribers receive:
Highlights from the community calendar
Current volunteer needs
Ongoing volunteer opportunities
A snapshot of community service and engagement
The newsletter is the easiest way to stay informed without having to search multiple websites or social media feeds.
It’s quiet.
It’s consistent.
And it’s built to be useful.
Stay Connected
If you care about what’s happening in Crawford County — or want to help when you can — the best way to stay connected is to subscribe.
👉 Sign up for the Crawford Connects Weekly Newsletter
No spam. No politics. Just community information, once a week.
Who Supports Crawford Connects
Crawford Connects is supported by the Family & Community Christian Association (FCCA), an organization with a long-standing tradition of service and community support in Crawford County.
The project is volunteer-driven and maintained as a public community asset.
A Simple Goal
The goal of Crawford Connects is not to be everything.
It’s to be useful, trustworthy, and here when it’s needed.
That’s it.
