Eighty Four, PA – The Washington County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that grants totaling $5,000 from its African American Community Fund have been awarded to two local nonprofit organizations. The Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church received $4,000 to construct a pavilion to serve as an outdoor educational center and communal center, and Freedom Unlimited received $1,000 to support the Juneteenth event in Washington.
Founded in 1824 with its cemetery established in 1854, the Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church is an historic landmark. The cemetery is the burial site of former slaves, church founders, descendants of early trustees, veterans of most major U. S. wars, and members of a once thriving African American community in Canonsburg. The grant will be used to construct a pavilion to serve as an outdoor educational and communal center, highlighting the significant contributions of African Americans to U.S. history.
“There is a rich history at this site and many stories to be told as information is uncovered with each descendant we reach,” said Reverend Marilyn Fisher. “We see this pavilion as a symbol of the heritage and legacy of the past and expect a new understanding and respect for African Americanism to be embraced by the community.”
Freedom Unlimited was the fiscal sponsor for the recent Juneteenth event organized by the NAACP Washington Branch in partnership with the LeMoyne Community Center. The grant helped to facilitate a celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery on June 19th, 1865. The event featured educational, artistic, and cultural activities aimed at fostering community engagement and cultural heritage.
A primary goal of the African American Community Fund is to empower community members to think creatively to design or sustain programs and projects for the African American community in five focus areas: cultural heritage, community development, education and enrichment, history and preservation, and entrepreneurship. As the Fund grows, more and larger grants will be issued.
The Foundation encourages credit card contributions to the Fund via its website at www.wccf.net or by mailing a check to 1253 Route 519, P.O. Box 308, Eighty Four, PA 15330. For other types of gifts, such as securities or IRA Qualified Charitable contributions, please contact the Foundation at 724-222-6330.