Intelmarx hired by Friends of The Tom Ridge Environmental Center to Develop Social Network
Custom-designed Social Network to help raise $3 million for endowment fund
(Erie, PA - March 9, 2010) – The Friends of The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is an Erie, PA based non-profit dedicated to preserve and enhance educational programming, natural history research and visitor services at The Tom Ridge Environmental Center. The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) is an interpretative facility for the unique Presque Isle Peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Erie.  The multi-use building not only serves as a visitor's center at the gateway to the park, but houses interactive exhibits, educational facilities, administration for various governmental and conservation entities, and laboratories designed for Great Lakes research initiatives.
The Friends of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center have committed to help raise $3,000,000 over a three to five year period for the creation of an endowment fund. Interest from the fund will be used for matching grants from federal and state programs as well as for other purposes to enhance the visitor experience at the center. The Friends of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center will be using a social network designed by Altoona-based Intelmarx, LLC as an important part of this campaign.
“In the worst economy in 60 years, endowment and debt fundraising is among the most difficult efforts that nonprofits could undertake,” said Intelmarx CEO, George Sackandy. “Social networking, with its one-to-one storytelling capabilities and friend-to-friend giving opportunities, can dramatically increase donations for non-profits during these times,” continued Sackandy.

About Friends of The Tom Ridge Environmental Center
The Friends of The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to forge a partnership between the private sector and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in order to preserve and enhance educational programming, natural history research and visitor services opportunities of the highest quality to assure that the Tom Ridge Environmental Center is nationally recognized as a center of excellence now and for generations to come.

About The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC)
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) is an educational center at heart, dedicated to teaching visitors about the unique 3,200 acres of Presque Isle and the many different forms of life that inhabit the peninsula.  TREC also serves as a center for research, contributing to conservation efforts and promoting environmental awareness, helping to preserve the unparalleled beauty of Presque Isle.  While some facilities along the Great Lakes offer environmental education and others do research, none offer research, education and visitor services in one place, making TREC a unique destination for learning, wonder and fun. TREC is open year-round and offers free admission to interactive exhibits, its glass-enclosed tower, and orientation movie.