Dec. 24. The Peninsula Community Foundation raised more than $450,000 this year and has donated $430,000 so far to local nonprofits.

Local charities supported this past year include Smithville Community Coalition, Cornelius Early Scholars, Bags of Hope, Ada Jenkins Center, Hope House, NC Youth Orchestra and Neighborhood CARE Center, among others.

“We were especially happy to be able to give additional checks at the end of this year to our core charities like Angels and Sparrows and Cook Clinic, those who provide food and health care to local people in need,” board member Tom McGinnis said.

The foundation said donations are approaching $50,000 in honor of late board president George Searle, who died unexpectedly in October,

Founded in 2001, the Peninsula Community Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the Lake Norman area by providing financial resources and assistance. Its largest fundraising event is its annual gala.