We can't control the future. But we can help shape it, give it a deliberate nudge. Not unlike the forward-thinking founders of Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF) did.

LCCF exists for the sole purpose of enhancing the quality of life for current and future residents of Lancaster County. LCCF is celebrating its 100th year in 2024 by conducting four community events designed to get local citizens thinking about what Lancaster County might look like over the next 100 years.

"Lancaster County has evolved in many ways, and in many ways it hasn't," said Valentina Schade, LCCF's communications manager. "The founders of Lancaster County Community Foundation were envisioning a future. That's what contributing to a community foundation is. Those folks wanted to dream beyond their lifetimes. This has always been a welcoming county. It's always been a county where green spaces are important. Some details have shifted, but we're continuing to work toward a future where everyone in Lancaster County has an opportunity to thrive. It's up to all of us to change the next 100 years."

The first event celebrating LCCF's centennial will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, at Pod 2 at Rock Lititz, 201 Rock Lititz Blvd. It's being called Celebrating Creative Expression, and it will be an evening of creativity and celebration of the arts.

The event is free, and everyone is welcome.

"We know that if we invest in the arts, it's really good for the local community," said Schade. "It's important for students to have access to the arts. It's a strategic way to build a thriving community. It brings people together. Creative expression and the arts is one of the things that makes us human and connects us. It's also one of the big parts of Lancaster County's past, and we look forward to fostering it in the future."

In addition to light refreshments and music, Celebrating Creative Expression will feature poetry, collaborative art, a sound circle and a wearable collage called "Our Common Thread." Also that evening, winners of LCCF's Shaping Tomorrow grants, awards and scholarships will be announced.

About 100 to 150 people are expected to attend.

"It's going to be a really vibrant two hours," said Schade. "You can just walk around and choose your own adventure. You can take part in all of them, or you can sit back and watch. You can mix and mingle. It's a really unique, engaging experience."

Headquartered at 24 W. King St., Suite 201, Lancaster, LCCF was founded in 1924 by Martin Harnish. Today, LCCF handles $200 million in community assets and seeks to impact the quality of life in Lancaster County through improving the environment, neighborhoods, and health, education and youth programs, as well as access to culture and the arts.

"We care for the community's endowment," said Schade. "It's a tool of philanthropy. Small gifts don't stay small. The purpose of the community foundation is to manage the endowment, so we can continue to embolden the community through impactful programs. We work with community members to implement it. Thanks to many visionary founders, we're in a position to create opportunities that can change the next 100 years."

For more information about the Lancaster County Community Foundation, go to http://www.lancfound.org/.