Chevron Offers Financial Support to Regional Programs

This article was featured in the Herald-Standard in February 2013 and is re-printed here with permission.

Chevron offers financial support to regional programs

By: Patty Yauger

Nancy Rossell, Fayette County Career and Technical Institute co-op coordinator, talks about how money awarded through the Chevron Community Fund will be used for a summer reading program at the school. Standing with Rossell is Dr. Ed Jeffreys, school executive director. Photo: Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard

Several educational and recreational programs and projects have received a financial boost from a Fayette County business.

Chevron, located in Smithfield, through its partnership with Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC), awarded nearly $50,000 to nine organizations during a ceremony Wednesday hosted by the foundation.

Mikal Ann Zimmerman, Chevron policy, government and public affairs representative, said that the grants allow for the opening of doors and opportunities for young people in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.

“Chevron is committed to contributing and becoming good citizens in the communities where we work,” she said. “A part of that is partnering with organizations to improve the opportunities that are available to the residents.

“You are opening up doors to the youth that were not there before. The more they find out, the more excited they become for what their future holds.”

Larry Kiefer, vice-president of the Albert Gallatin Education Foundation, said that the $5,000 grant will be utilized for its Imagination Library program that provides no-cost books to families within the school district with children age 5 and younger.

The availability of books to the earliest of readers has begun to show results with kindergarten students more familiar with books and reading when they start school, said Kiefer.

“When they come to register for school, they are better prepared,” he said.

An $8,400 grant to the Fayette County Career and Technical Institute will enable young people in grades 6 to 8 to take part in a three-day summer program that introduces them to the available programs at the school, said Nancy Rossell, co-op coordinator.

In prior years, upward of 200 students have participated, she added.

“We impact so many,” said Rossell. “This program is to make the community aware of what we have.”

Linda R. Orsted, Flenniken Public Library librarian and chief executive officer, said that the $1,500 Chevron grant will be used to purchase E-readers to familiarize staff, so that they can then share their knowledge with library patrons.

Many Greene County residents are bringing their readers, tablets, pads and smart phones to the library seeking help to understand the newer technology, added Orsted.

“We want our staff to become more comfortable with the technology so that we can help our patrons more efficiently,” she said.

Beth Reseter, Friendship Hill Association treasurer, said that the $1,900 grant presented by Chevron will be used to purchase several bike racks for those traveling from West Virginia to Point Marion, the gateway to Friendship Hill, the home of Albert Gallatin.

The association has partnered with the borough and its neighbor across the state line, Morgantown, along with other civic groups, organizations and the school district, to draw more visitors to the National Park, said Reseter.

“We are finding that a lot of people ride to Point Marion,” she said.

Other recipients of Chevron grants, included:

German Masontown Public Library, a $3,800 grant to upgrade its technology with the purchase of several computers, said Amy Ryan, library director.

Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, a $5,000 grant to provide scholarships to high school sophomores and juniors in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties to attend a weeklong conference to develop business skills.

Masontown Matters, a $5,000 grant to develop an entrepreneurial program to spur business growth in Masontown and neighboring communities.

Penn State Cooperative Extension – Fayette, a $8,000 grant to support 4-H day camps for young people. The camps, which include guest speakers, trips and tours, promote land stewardship through its Environmental Awareness Education program, said Christina Becker, extension associate.

Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board, a $10,000 grant to support its career connection center for young people entering the job market.

“We’re very fortunate to have a corporate partner in Chevron,” said Marilyn J. McDaniel, foundation chief executive officer. “They have been exceptional and a vital presence in our community and region.”