May 31, 2019 3 min read

Twenty-nine local first responder organizations recently received grants totaling $126,846 through the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund at the Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF). The grants will help to purchase a variety of items, including breathing apparatus replacements, turnout gear, ballistic shields, thermal imaging cameras, video surveillance cameras, and rescue equipment.

WCCF Chairman Lynne Stout said, “Each of our donors has a unique charitable objective, and it is so inspiring when their support presents us with an opportunity to broaden the WCCF’s grant-making. Until the creation of the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund in 2018, the Community Foundation did not have a dedicated funding source for grants to first responders. Yet through this wonderful partnership with Range Resources, in just two years’ time, the fund cumulatively has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to help the local heroes who strive to protect the safety and well-being of Washington County.”

Established by its namesake in 2018, the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund supports fire departments and emergency management services organizations in Range’s core operating area. The fund was made possible through the partnership of Range and its many contractors. The 2019 grant distributions represent a more than 69 percent increase over the amount that was awarded from the fund in 2018.

“Supporting the efforts of our first responders has become such an important initiative of Range Resource’s charitable giving program. While reviewing this year’s outstanding grant requests, it immediately became clear that if more could be done to support the critical needs of our first responders, more should be done,” said Michael Mackin, Director of External Affairs for Range Resources.

Receiving awards were: Amwell Township Volunteer Fire Department, Avella Volunteer Fire Department, Burgettstown Volunteer Fire Company, Cecil Township Police Department, Chartiers Township Police Department, Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department, Claysville Volunteer Fire Department, Hanover Volunteer Fire Department, Heroes Supporting Heroes in conjunction with Findlay Township Police Department, Jefferson Township Police Department, Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department of Eldersville , Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department, McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, Midway Volunteer Fire Department of Washington County, Morris Township Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Company, Mt. Pleasant Township Police Department, North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, North Strabane Township Volunteer Fire Department, Solvan Volunteer Fire Department, Smith Township Police Department, South Strabane Fire Department, South Strabane Township Police Department, SouthBridge Emergency Medical Services, Taylorstown Volunteer Fire Company, Washington Regional SWAT Team, West Alexander Volunteer Fire Department, West Finley Volunteer Fire Company, and West Middletown Volunteer Fire Department.