News

The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates (PACF) announced its grant awards for spring 2018.  The Foundation awarded a total of $209,056 region-wide through its Community Action Grants Program to organizations within the Foundation’s eleven-county service region of Wood, Wirt, Ritchie, Doddridge, Mason, Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane, Pleasants, and Jackson counties in West Virginia, and Washington County, Ohio.  Of this total, the Foundation’s Ritchie County Community Foundation affiliate awarded $2,890; the remainder of grants came from PACF funds.

Grant recipients gathered at the Foundation’s office on Monday, May 21, to celebrate their grant awards. Among the grants awarded in this cycle, several support programs designed to address food insecurity and to provide healthy food choices for area residents. The West Virginia University Extension Service - Family Nutrition Program, will use a $10,000 grant to provide “pop-up” farmers markets for school children in Wood County in an effort to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by children and families with limited income. A $5,000 grant will enable the Doddridge County Farmers Market to offer the “Double Up Bucks” program to SNAP beneficiaries, enabling individuals who benefit from SNAP to double the amount of produce that they can purchase at the market. In Calhoun County, the new “Nourishing Networks” coalition, led by the Calhoun County Family Resource Network, will improve access to healthy, whole foods for youth, resource-limited families, and seniors. Lubeck United Methodist Church is receiving a $6,650 grant to expand its Lunch SAK program, which provides food to children in need for weekends, school holidays, and in the summer, to students at Blennerhassett Elementary School and Lubeck Elementary School.

“At our annual meeting this past January, several speakers highlighted the problem of food insecurity in our state,” said Senior Program Officer Marian Clowes. “Hunger is a real issue, as is access to healthy foods. We are excited that these grant-funded programs will help bring healthy food to children, families, and seniors on our region.”

Other grants in this cycle supported area parks and recreational facilities, programs addressing substance abuse and access to oral health care, equipment needs of volunteer fire departments, and a variety of projects in education, arts, and human and youth services.

Grants awarded through the PACF’s Community Action Grants Program are made possible by generous individuals and businesses who have established a charitable fund with the PACF. The Program uses the resources available through the Foundation’s general grantmaking and field of interest funds to meet the ever-changing needs of its service region. The Foundation works with volunteers region-wide to review the grant applications and select the recipients.  Additionally, the Foundation consults with individuals who have established Donor Advised Funds through the PACF and works with these individuals to provide additional grant support for the projects proposed through the Community Action Grants Program. To learn more about the Program, individuals should call the Foundation at 304.428.4438 or email info@pacfwv.com.

 Parkersburg Area Community Foundation Grants

 ·         Adolescent Health Initiative, Region 5 - $7,000 to support the “Developing Star Leaders” program, which engages students from the Mid-Ohio Valley in developing individual and team leadership skills.

·         Calhoun County Family Resource Network - $7,120 to support the Calhoun County Nourishing Network’s efforts to improve access to healthy, whole foods for youth, resource-limited families, and seniors.

·         City of Parkersburg - $10,000 to purchase and install an aquaflex surface for the new splash park at the City Park pool.

·         Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Mid-Ohio Valley - $5,000 to support a series of financial education programs across the Mid-Ohio Valley.

·         Doddridge County Elementary School - $600 to plant trees and to teach students about the life cycles of plants.

·         Doddridge County Farmers Market - $5,000 to enable the market to participate in the SNAP “Double Up Bucks” program and to promote the market to the public.

·         Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department - $7,250 to purchase new turnout gear for firefighters.

·         Ely Chapman Education Foundation - $5,183 to repair and replace downspout at the facility.

·         Faithlink/Community Resources - $2,150 to support the purchase of a vehicle for the new Senior Ride Link program.

·         Family Crisis Intervention Center - $10,000 to support operating expenses for the Kids First Program.

·         Fourth Circuit Public Defender Corporation - $4,000 to support the cost of transportation for clients admitted to substance abuse treatment facilities.

·         Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department - $1,210 to purchase new firefighting nozzles and a fire hose.

·         Horizons Center for Independent Living - $5,000 to build an ADA compliant ramp to the facility.

·         Little Hocking Fire and Rescue, Inc. - $6,396 to purchase scuba diving masks for the rescue diving team.

·         Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation - $2,000 to purchase security cameras to be placed in Wirt County to combat an increase in crime.

·         Lubeck Elementary School - $4,845 to purchase playground equipment for Pre-K students.

·         Lubeck United Methodist Church Lunch SAK Program - $6,650 to help supply, on weekends, school holidays, and summer break, food for children from Lubeck Elementary School, to expand service to Blennerhassett Elementary School, and to assist Blennerhassett Middle School with their food and hygiene pantry.

·         Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council - $2,300 to repair and/or replace sewing machines used by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to sew items that they donate to agencies throughout their communities.

·         Minnie Hamilton Health System - $11,600 to assist with the purchase of medication carts.

·         NFS Ministries – Latrobe Street Mission - $7,500 to purchase new bed frames and mattresses for the women’s dorm.

·         Pennsboro Volunteer Fire Department - $7,000 to assist with the replacement of rescue tools.

·         Ritchie County Family Resource Network - $1,000 to create a Necessity Closet, to provide hygiene items for those in need.

·         Roane County Commission - $7,200 to purchase bunk beds with safety railings for the Roane County 4-H Camp.

·         Rotary Club of Parkersburg - $1,500 to support the Drug Free Clubs of America program at Parkersburg High School and Parkersburg South High School.

·         Schrader Youth Ballet - $4,000 to purchase a vinyl marley floor to be used at performances.

·         Smithville Elementary School - $610 to create hands-on science experiments for the Pre-K through 5^th grade classes.

·         Town of Reedy - $7,500 to purchase and install a coin-operated bulk water machine to serve citizens who must haul water for use in their homes in Roane, Wirt, and Jackson counties.

·         United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley - $2,500 to install a security system.

·         Voices for Children – CASA Program - $9,000 to provide operating support.

·         Voices of the Street/Essentially Yours - $1,000 to provide operating support.

·         Washington Bottom Community Building Association - $4,500 to provide new flooring and upgraded lighting in the community building.

·         West Virginia Health Right - $2,500 to purchase dental supplies for the mobile dental clinic serving Roane County.

·         West Virginia University Extension Service – Family Nutrition Program - $10,000 to provide pop-up farmers markets at schools in Wood County to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by children from families with limited income.

·         West Virginia University School of Public Health - $1,500 to provide students with practical learning experiences by undertaking community health projects in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

·         West Virginia University Foundation/Energy Express - $3,552 to provide take home books to children enrolled in Energy Express in Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane, and Wirt counties.

·         West Virginia Symphony Orchestra – Parkersburg - $5,000 to support operations and programming.

·         Wood County 4-H Leaders Association - $12,000 to purchase a new stove and kitchen equipment for the Wood County 4-H Camp.

·         Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission/Mountwood Park - $15,000 to replace the roofs on cabins at the park.

Ritchie County Community Foundation Grants

·         Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department - $1,650 to purchase new firefighting nozzles and a fire hose.

·         Smithville Elementary School - $1,240 to create hands-on science experiments for the Pre-K through 5^th grade classes.

The Doddridge County Community Foundation, the Ritchie County Community Foundation, and the Little Kanawha Area Community Foundation affiliates of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) recently announced their fall grants to support charitable organizations in their service areas.

Doddridge County Community Foundation awarded $1,000 to the following organizations:

• Mountaineer Food Bank - $500  from the Doddridge County Grantmaking Fund to assist with the purchase of a scissor lift for use in the Food Bank’s warehouse; the Food Bank provides support to food pantries and feeding programs in Doddridge County.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities - $500 from the Doddridge County Grantmaking Fund to support lodging costs for Doddridge County families through the Hoss Lodging Fund.

Little Kanawha Area Community Foundation awarded $3,500 to the following organizations:

• Calhoun County Committee on Aging - $2,000 from the Little Kanawha Grantmaking Fund  for computer upgrades, enabling the organization to better serve clients and meet reporting needs from funding sources.
• Pleasant Hill Elementary School - $1,050 from the Little Kanawha Area Grantmaking Fund and the Edna Yoak Robinson Fund for lighting the quarter-mile track at the school used by students for physical education classes and by the public for fitness.
• Gilmer Public Library - $450 from Gilmer Support Fund to replace carpeting in the library’s main rooms.

Ritchie County Community Foundation awarded $6,200 in grants to the following organizations:

• Harrisville Woman’s Club - $2,000 from the Harrisville Civic Club Community Improvement Fund and the Ritchie County Grantmaking Fund to purchase a new commercial refrigerator.
• Regeneration/Packs of Plenty - $1,200 from the Ritchie County Grantmaking Fund to support the purchase of nutritious food to provide to Ritchie County students in need for weekends and school holidays.
• Ritchie County Primary Care Association - $3,000 from the Ritchie County Grantmaking Fund for the renovation of the school-based health center at Ritchie County Middle/High School.

The Foundation’s affiliates held a reception at Doddridge County Park on Wednesday, November 27, to announce grants and present the awards to recipients. At the reception, the PACF also announced additional grant awards to many of the projects supported by its affiliates. The PACF awards include the following amounts:

• Mountaineer Food Bank - $7,000
• Ronald McDonald House Charities - $4,500
• Calhoun County Committee on Aging - $5,990
• Pleasant Hill Elementary School - $3,974
• Gilmer Public Library - $2,000
• Regeneration/Packs of Plenty - $5,000
• Ritchie County Primary Care Association - $7,500

The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates (PACF) announced today its grant awards for spring 2016.  The Foundation awarded a total of $143,740 through its Spring Community Action Grants Program to organizations within the Foundation’s eleven-county service region of Wood, Wirt, Ritchie, Doddridge, Mason, Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane, Pleasants, and Jackson Counties in West Virginia, and Washington County, Ohio.

 The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) awarded grants totaling $142,740 to 36 different organizations, and its Ritchie County affiliate, Ritchie County Community Foundation affiliate (RCCF), awarded $1,000 in grant support.  On Thursday, June 2, representatives of organizations receiving grants from the PACF and RCCF and other supporters of the Foundation attended a Spring Grant Award Program at the Foundation’s central office location in Parkersburg. Grant recipients had an opportunity to discuss their grant-funded projects with the attendees.

 Grants awarded through the PACF’s Community Action Grants Program are made possible by generous individuals/businesses who have established a charitable fund with the PACF.  The Program uses the resources available through the Foundation’s Unrestricted and Field of Interest Funds to meet the ever-changing needs of its service region.  The Foundation works with volunteers region-wide to review the grant applications and select the recipients.  Additionally, the Foundation consults with individuals who have established Donor Advised Funds through the PACF and works with these individuals to provide additional grant support for the projects proposed through the Community Action Grants Program.  To learn more about the Program, individuals should call the Foundation at 304.428.4438 or email info@pacfwv.com.

  Parkersburg Area Community Foundation Grants

•  American Red Cross of Northwest West Virginia - $6,400 for veteran outreach through the Services to Armed Forces program
• Arnoldsburg Elementary School - $3,900 to assist with construction of a parking lot to provide parking for community events
• Children’s Home Society of West Virginia - $7,500 to provide direct support for basic needs for youth enrolled in the Parkersburg Transitional Living Program
• Circles Campaign of the Mid-Ohio Valley - $1,700 to provide stipends as incentives for individuals and families in poverty to attend training classes
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Mid-Ohio Valley - $4,500 to provide equipment and resources to implement a student loan counseling program
• Creed Collins Elementary School - $2,400 to provide renovations for safe access to a restroom at the school playground
• Doddridge County Community Educational Outreach Service - $4,000 for the development of a heritage art quilt trail to encourage tourism and preserve Appalachian heritage
• Doddridge County High School - $4,790 to encourage lifetime recreation habits by providing archery and Frisbee golf equipment for high school physical education classes
• Doddridge County Parks and Recreation - $5,000 to assist with the purchase and installation of a weatherproof yurt at the Park’s campground
• East Wood Volunteer Fire Company - $4,125 for the purchase of air cylinders
• Ely Chapman Education Foundation - $2,500 to assist with start-up costs for new pre-school program
• Friends of Charles Fork Lake - $6,000 to construct a disc golf course
• Humane Society of the Ohio Valley - $1,500 for the acquisition of the ShelterPro Records Management System
• Julia-Ann Historical Community Association - $4,700 for the restoration and preservation of Riverview Cemetery
• Lubeck Elementary School - $2,500 for the purchase of playground equipment for Pre-K students
• Martin Elementary School - $2,000 to provide books for students for the summer to improve literacy
• Middle Island VFW Post 3408 - $5,000 for the construction of a picnic pavilion at the Doddridge County Park to honor veterans
• Mid-Ohio Valley Symphony Society/West Virginia Symphony Orchestra – Parkersburg - $600 to purchase a laptop computer to improve ticketing at concerts
• Parkersburg High School - $2,000 to equip the Moderate MI Apartment Classroom to teach life skills
• Parkersburg High School Foundation - $2,000 to purchase equipment and software to support fundraising efforts
• Planned Parenthood South Atlantic - $1,000 to install a security system at the Vienna health center
• Pleasants County Parks and Recreation - $5,000 for ADA upgrades to the aquatic center
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - $5,000 to develop an economic impact report for the North Bend Rail Trail
• Ritchie County Schools - $7,500 to develop and equip a video production lab at the high school
• Roane County 4-H Leaders Association - $3,500 to construct a roof over a picnic shelter at the Roane County 4-H Camp
• Schrader Youth Ballet Company - $2,000 to support the production of “Nutcracker: Clara’s Dream”
• TEAM for West Virginia Children, Inc. - $5,000 to support the Say YES to Safe Sleep for Babies Hospital and Home Visitation Program
• The Education Alliance - $3,500 to support the AmeriCorps on the Frontline student mentoring program in Doddridge, Pleasants, and Wood County schools
• West Virginia Health Right, Inc. - $4,000 to provide oral health care and education
• West Virginia University Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program - $3,975 to support mentoring program for students with visual impairments
• West Virginia University School of Public Health - $3,000 to support a student-led community health project
• Westbrook Health Services - $4,500 to assist women who have completed the Genesis Residential Substance Abuse Program by providing them with items needed for new housing
• Wirt County 4-H Leaders Association - $5,000 to support the meals-to-go program, which provides food for Wirt County students during holiday breaks
• Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission/Mountwood Park - $8,150 to replace the original roofs on three restrooms at Mountwood Park
• Wood County Senior Citizens Association, Inc. - $2,500 to purchase computers for an educational lab for seniors
• West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation - $6,000 to assist with the Center for Early Learning’s summer camp program

Ritchie County Community Foundation Grants

• Ritchie County Schools - $1,000 to develop and equip a video production lab at the high school