Eighty Four, PA - A total of $213,552 in grants from the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund at the Washington County Community Foundation was recently awarded to 49 first responder organizations in Range Resource’s core operating area. The grants will help purchase a variety of items including rescue tools, personal protective equipment, and communication devices as well as support critical facility upgrades.
Established in 2018, the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund supports fire and police departments and other emergency management services organizations in Range’s core operating area. The fund was made possible through the partnership of Range and its many contractors.
Tony Gaudlip, Vice President – Appalachia Division for Range Resources said, "First responders are out there protecting our families and way of life every day. It's the least we can do to be a good civic sponsor and supporting those relationships where we live and work."
As part of the 2024 competitive grant cycle, the following 49 organizations received awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000: Ambulance and Chair EMS, Amwell Township Volunteer Fire Company, Avella Volunteer Fire Department, Burgettstown Area School District Police, Burgettstown Volunteer Fire Company, Canonsburg Police Department, Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, Canton Township Emergency Management, Cecil Township Police Department, Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 of Lawrence, Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 of Millers Run, Chartiers Township Police Department, Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, Claysville Volunteer Fire Department, Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Company, Fallowfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, Fawn Township Police Department, Fawn Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, Findlay Township Police Department, Frazer Township Police Department, Hanover Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association of Washington, Hanover Volunteer Fire Department of Beaver County, Hopewell Township Police Department, Houston Volunteer Fire Department, Imperial Volunteer Fire Department, Indiana Township Police Department, Independence Township Police Department, Independence Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department of Amwell Township, McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, Midway Volunteer Fire Department of Washington County, Morris Township Volunteer Fire Department & Relief Association, Mt. Pleasant Township Police Department, Mt. Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Company, North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, North Strabane Township Police Department, North Strabane Township Volunteer Fire Department, Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company, Richeyville Volunteer Fire Company, Slovan Volunteer Fire Department, Smith Township Police Department, South Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, South Strabane Fire Department, Taylorstown Volunteer Fire Company, Washington Regional Special Weapons and Tactics, Washington County Sheriff's Office, West Alexander Volunteer Fire Department, West Finley Volunteer Fire Department, and West Pike Run Township Police Department.
With its grant, the Taylorstown Volunteer Fire Company purchased a battery-powered Genesis O cutter and Genisis Combi cutter to extricate people trapped in vehicles or equipment, without requiring a generator to operate. Chief Josh McDonough stated, “In the past, before we purchased these tools, we had to wait and rely on other departments.”
“Our years-long partnership with Range Resources on the Good Neighbors Fund has resulted in approximately $960,000 in grants to local first responder organizations,” stated Betsie Trew, WCCF president & CEO. “Our first responders are the first line in keeping our communities safe, so we are very grateful for this partnership that has provided vital equipment and supplies to ensure our first responder organizations are able to operate efficiently and effectively.”
Range Resources is a leading U.S. independent natural gas and NGL producer, ranking amongst the top 10 natural gas producers in the country. Range has operated in Pennsylvania for more than 27 years and pioneered the Marcellus Shale, which is now the largest known natural gas field in North America.
The WCCF’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy. In addition to issuing grants to local nonprofits, the Foundation also facilitates an annual giving event that benefits more than 100 local charities, provides free educational opportunities to help strengthen our local charities, and launched the Community Snapshot website to identify community needs on an ongoing basis.