Legacy Newsletter Spring/Summer 2021

L egacy

Helping You Give … Close to Home

A Publication of the Washington County Community Foundation

$250,000 Matching Grant Awarded to Address Food Insecurity Among Working Poor

Representatives from the WCCF, Food Helpers, and the local media gathered at the Food Helpers facility in Brownsville for the announcement of this significant grant from the Community CARE Fund.

Addressing unmet needs in our community is an ongoing objective of the Community Foundation.

When we learned in the fall of 2019 of a new food distribution program of Food Helpers that was targeted to needy families in Washington County who were not currently receiving food assistance, we knew we had to help.

The pandemic and a few other issues postponed the implementation of the Food Helpers Community Outreach Program, but it was initiated in July 2021. In August of 2021, we announced a $250,000 Community CARE Fund Challenge grant for the Community Outreach Program. This one-toone matching grant will be paid in two equal installments as Food Helpers raises the necessary amount from others.

The Community Outreach Program was specially designed to help the working poor, whose household incomes are just slightly above the income guidelines for the county-funded pantry system and other government food assistance programs.

According to data released by Feeding America and the US Dept of Agriculture, about 26,000 individuals in Washington County are food-insecure; however,

approximately 9,600 of these food-insecure individuals are not eligible for government-subsidized feeding programs.

That’s 9,600 individuals in Washington County who experience hunger at some point during the month. These are the primary individuals that Food Helpers seeks to assist with its new Community Outreach Program.

So far, 920 families have been served through the program. In addition to food, families are also receiving a health and beauty bag that includes 15 products

such as toothpaste, shampoo, and soap. And during August, students received backpacks filled with backto-school supplies, thanks to Food Helpers’ ongoing partnership with CentiMark.

Visit www.foodhelpers.org to learn more or to make a donation to the campaign.

New Trustees Welcomed to the Board

Three new Trustees were recently

Harlan G. Shober, Jr. is a former

W. Taylor Frankovitch, an attorney with Bowles Rice, focuses his work in the areas of energy, commercial law, real estate and litigation. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He earned his undergraduate degree from Washington & Jefferson College, a Master of Laws degree from the Duke University School of Law, his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and his M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business. He is a member of the Bowles Rice Executive Committee and Recruiting Committee.

Frankovitch is a member of the Leadership Development Class XXIII and has served on the Washington Advisory Board for Junior Achievement and on the Community Impact Panel of the United Way of Washington County.

Chad A. Griffith has served as the Chief Operating Officer of CNX Resources since July 30, 2019. In this role, he is responsible for the daily management of the companyʹs asset base and safe and effective execution of its operational plan. Previously, he served as Vice President, Commercial, Vice President of Marketing, Director of Marketing, and Director of Diversified Business Units. Griffith earned his undergraduate degree from Washington & Jefferson College and holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Frostburg State University, a law degree from West Virginia University College of Law, and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. This is his first charity board appointment.

a time he owned a custom home building business, Shober Homes. He has been very active in the community, particW. Taylor Frankovitch ularly in the ChartiersHouston area.

Harlan has held many leadership roles, including on the Chartiers-Houston School Board, the Chartiers Chad A. Griffith Township Board of Supervisors, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, the Washington County Builders Association, and the Harlan G. Shober, Jr. Washington County Association of Township Officials.

A veteran of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Harlan is a member of Houston American Legion, Greater Canonsburg Lions Club, Canonsburg Elks, Chartiers Masonic Lodge and First United Presbyterian Church of Houston, where he is an elder.

Washington County elected to the WCCF Board: W. Taylor Washington County Commissioner and Community Foundation Frankovitch, Chad A. Griffith, and Har- a former managBoard of Trustees er at AT&T. For lan G. Shober.

Chairman James H. McCune Vice Chairman E. Alex Paris, III Secretary Richard L. White Treasurer Michael S. Anderson Megan M. Chicone W. Taylor Frankovitch Barbara A. Graham Chad A. Griffith Geraldine M. Jones Debra E. Keefer Cynthia B. Kotowski Ivana G. Liberatore Andrew M. McIlvaine Thomas P. Northrop Joseph M. Piszczor Elizabeth M. Rogers Kurt R. Salvatori Harlan G. Shober, Jr. Lynne R. Stout Joseph H. Young

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The Washington County Community Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy.

Dr. Malcolm Ruben & Dr. Jerold Ruben Fund Issues Marketing Grant

To support the rebranding initiative of Food Helpers, a $25,000 marketing grant was awarded to the organization from the Dr. Malcolm Ruben and Dr. Jerold Ruben Charitable Fund. Fund advisors David and Lori Ruben, and their son Quinn, visited Food Helpers over the summer to see firsthand how the organization has been transformed since relocating to its current location about five years ago.

“During our family’s recent tour, we could not help but to be impressed by the work of Food Helpers,” remarked David Ruben. “While we were familiar with the activities of the food bank itself, we were not aware that this local organization also consists of training, thrifting, and farming divisions that are focused on addressing the root causes of hunger in effective and innovative ways. We appreciate the Community Foundation’s role in helping to connect us with an opportunity to contribute to these efforts.

Our hope is that this $25,000 marketing grant from the Dr. Malcolm Ruben & Dr. Jerold Ruben Charita‐ ble Fund will help to generate greater awareness about the magnitude of Food Helpers’ impact here in Washington County. Its mission is squarely in the spirit of Malcolm and Jerry’s lifelong commitment to serving both their patients and the community.”

Dr. Malcom Ruben & Dr. Jerold Ruben Children of Dr. David & Cele Levy Ruben, both Dr. Malcolm Ruben and Dr. Jerold Ruben practiced medicine in Washington County for many years, Malcolm as a urologist and Jerold as an internist. Both were considered to be exceptional doctors.

In addition to a love of medicine, the brothers shared many things. Both were born in Washington and graduated from East Washington High School, and both loved watching sports. In fact, they could often be seen at many Washington High School sporting events.

A Minimum of $250K To Be Awarded in Capacity‐Building Grant Cycles The recent influx of discretionary grantmaking assets has enabled the WCCF to reassess and redesign our two county-wide competitive grant cycles. As we considered the redesign, we had three objectives. We wanted to be more proactive, we wanted to have a greater impact, and we wanted to help strengthen our non‐profits because we know that strong non-profits are best positioned to provide quality programs. From prior successes with capacity-building grants, it was clear that our objectives could be met by focusing in this area.

Capacity-building is defined as any activity that increases the non-profit’s operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity. Any nonprofit that provides a charitable program in Washington County in one of the Foundation’s funding areas was eligible to apply. Recently, the WCCF Board expanded the community improvement funding area to include economic development.

“With our growth, we are now poised to make a

meaningful contribution to smaller-scale communitybased economic development projects,” remarked WCCF President & CEO Betsie Trew. “We look forward to learning about the many economic development initiatives that are shaping the future of our local economy, particularly those that address blight removal, increase entrepreneurism, improve low-income housing, create jobs, and address workforce development.”

A minimum of $250,000 will be awarded through two capacity-building grant cycles this year.

Eligible Funding Areas

Arts & Humanities Community Improvement & Economic Development Education Environment & Animal Welfare Health & Fitness Human Needs Religion & Faith-Based 3

Louis E. Waller Humanitarian Award Recipient: James “Cookie” McDonald

From Right: Louis Waller Jr., James McDonald, Shirley Waller, Lorraine Waller‐Whitehead, and Louis Waller Sr. pose together in this photo from the 1960s.

had to help support the family. I learned to do laundry and cook and take care of the others. No playing until the chores were done!”

They had limited financial resources but there was unlimited faith, love and support. He credits his mother with molding him into the man he became. “I was fortunate to have such a loving, supportive mother. I would never do anything to make her cry. I vowed I would make her proud. ” He spent his adult life doing just that. Coming of age as a black man in the ’50’s was a challenge. Like many of his contemporaries, he faced blatant discrimination. After graduating from Wash High, anxious to serve his country, he joined the Army. On a bus trip home from Fort Bliss, Texas, he and his fellow soldiers stopped at a diner.

They were all in uniform. The white soldiers were welcomed, but Jim was told ”We don’t serve your kind here.

You’ll have to leave.” He’ll never forget the long walk 4 4

outside, fighting tears while taunts of the N-word rang in his ears.

“I was willing to give my life for my country,” he remembers “but to these people, I wasn’t worth a sandwich.” He returned from the service determined to help his community, and found that balance between business and community activism.

Taking a job with Prudential, Jim brought insurance products to Washington’s African American community that had not previously been available, and became one of Prudential’s most successful agents. Over the years, he gave back in countless ways, serving on the boards of more than 30 local organizations. As president of Washington’s NAACP, he oversaw acquiring its first office and organized its first job bank, where he quickly realized his constituents competed for jobs with people with better connections. But he persevered, because jobs and education were keys to success. With former Steeler LC Greenwood, Jim formed several companies, including Monaloh Basin Engineers, a regional leader in surveying and inspection services.

“You have to be good, because everyone is looking at you,” he concedes. “If I fail, my race fails. If I let down the people behind me, they can be rejected and denied. I had to set the example.”

Despite having received dozens of awards, receiving the WCCF Louis Waller Humanitarian Award is particularly meaningful. “Lou was a dear friend and mentor,” Jim recalls. “He worked for civil rights from the boardroom down, and I worked from the streets up. Together we did whatever it took to make our community better.”

He feels social justice is attainable, but we have to learn to live together. “I feel sorry for people who have to live with hate and bigotry.”

When it comes to being judged by others, he has a heartfelt response: “God has my report card. To serve God is to serve mankind.”

When it comes to civil rights and racial reconciliation, things have changed-to a point. There are places Jim McDonald can go, things he can do that were not possible 50 years ago. But the work is not done. Not by a long shot.

“We celebrate our victories but we know the fight is not over. We’ve come far, but there is still a lot to do.”

What does it take to change a culture? Courage, tenacity, a strong family, faith in something higher. When you’re working for civil rights, it’s also about finding balance. Read a bio of James McDonald, and it says things like “first black insurance salesman” or “owner of one of the best minority-owned companies.”

“Does it bother you,” I had to ask, “that they say it’s one of the best minority companies. You’re the best black salesman. It’s always qualified. Are you happy to be noticed, or do you think ‘There they go again’?”

He laughed, something Jim McDonald does often and heartily. “It’s both,” he admits. “We always have to walk that line.” Jim McDonald knows about walking that line.

Raised in Washington, the eldest of six children, they always had necessities and food on the table, but little else. Life was never going to be easy. “As the oldest, I

Louis E. Waller Humanitarian Award Recipient: Lesley Andy Brock

most importantly, have a safe place to go after school to do homework and meet friends. She helps these children, who have historically had few options, succeed in life.

Lesley is too humble to talk about herself, but the people she works with are not as shy.

According to LCC Director Linda Harris, Brock “has a genuine love of learning which is contagious to those she comes in contact with. Ms. Lesley is always sharing her love of the Center and its students with those she encounters.”

“She is a great teacher and mentor,” says LCC Food Services Manager Chef John Williams. “She’s truly a blessing for the children and the program.”

Former LCC Executive Director Joyce Ellis originally recruited her along with her church group.

“I was impressed with what they were doing with so little help,” Lesley remembers. She saw how the team at LCC was committed to being a force in community.

After volunteering, Lesley found herself in an unfamiliar position. “I saw a picture of the management team on LCC’s Facebook page and saw, for the first time, that I’m the minority. I realized this was my opportunity to contribute to racial reconciliation.”

Lesley admits, “I learned what we all have in common. We all want students in our schools to succeed and thrive as they learn the skills needed. That we all want to be encouraged, treated with respect and dignity. And we can accomplish these goals by working hard together.”

She sums it up in one short sentence: “We all need to change.”

Lesley Andy Brock was selected to receive the Louis Waller Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes a local individual or organization devoted to the promotion of human welfare and/or the advancement of social reforms.

Before she passed away this past December, Joyce Ellis weighed in with her appreciation of Lesley Brock.

“Thank you, Lesley,” she wrote, “for being a strong force and advocate of the LeMoyne Center.”

Lesley knows that by giving, she also receives. “My life is richer because of the people I have worked along‐ side and the students I have met at the LeMoyne Com‐ 5 5 munity Center.”

There are some people who will help when forced, some who will help when asked and a select few see a problem, throw themselves into the cause and won’t stop until they have done all they can.

That describes Lesley Andy Brock. She believes every child is worthy of her time and effort, no matter the child’s race, income level, or religion. For Lesley, every child is a person of worth, and she won’t stop as long as she can help.

She was fortunate, in her words, to have the freedom to be a stay-at-home mother in a time when so many moms had to juggle home and career. While raising her four children, she also helped raise the community’s children. Over the years, when asked if she was planning to join the family business, she invariably replied, “I’m in the business of family.” She knows where her priorities lie. “Children have always been part of my life. I’ve always been passionate about helping children.”

She helped in so many ways. Whether it was instilling values while teaching Bible release time, empowering children to grow through team sports at the Brownson House or bringing music into classrooms through Symphony South, Lesley LeMoyne Community Center Director spent Linda Harris and Lesley Brock share an affectionate hug. decades improving the lives of children in Washington County, often providing educational tools at her own expense.

For the past six years, she has volunteered at the LeMoyne Community Center (LCC), most recently acting as volunteer coordinator and liaison with the W&J students who serve as tutors. Through her many roles at the Center, she helps children improve academically, read better, learn leadership skills, feel valued and maybe

Making an Impact: Recent Grants to Community Organizations Burgettstown Community Library restarted its children’s program with half of a $20,000 grant from the Community CARE Fund. The other half of the grant enabled the Library to purchase a new security system. Through a special library grant cycle earlier this year, the Community CARE Fund issued $231,500 in grants to 12 community libraries. The grants supported staffing, program enhancements, facility improvements, equipment and furniture purchases, and technology enhancements.

In support of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s On Track for the Future capital campaign to fund a transformative museum expansion and experience, a $100,000 grant was issued from the Foundation’s Acorn Fund. The expansion will include a new Trolley Street that will connect with a new Welcome & Education Center. Trolley Street will be an outdoor display where visitors can tour and ride trolleys, visit the newly restored Wexford Station, and enjoy a small park area.

A $40,000 unrestricted grant was awarded to the Brownson House from the Harold and Enes Hockett Fund and the John and Thelma Curtis Fund.

The Brownson House has been an important part of the community for nearly a century, and this grant will help support the Brownson House’s exemplary programs for all ages of the community and its continued future growth.

Meals on Wheels @ the Crossroads relies on a dedicated team of volunteers to prepare and deliver nutritional, tasty meals to seniors and others in need.

An $18,000 grant from the Close to Home Disaster & Emergency Fund for the Grocery Bag Supplement Program added more fresh food and paper products to each meal delivery. Meals on Wheels also received a $10,000 unrestricted grant from the Dorothy P. Hardy Charitable Fund.

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Making an Impact: Recent Grants to Community Organizations The Dr. Adam D. Grossman Family Fund awarded unrestricted grants of $1,000 each to the Old Schoolhouse Players and to Little Lake Theatre.

The Old Schoolhouse Players perform in the Bud Allison Auditorium (featured to the right) in the historically preserved Mount Pleasant Township Community Center in Hickory, PA. Little Lake Theatre is located in Canonsburg and is currently performing some facility improvements.

Club Serenity, a charity serving individuals seeking recovery from substance abuse, recently dedicated its new facility in Charleroi. A $40,000 grant ($1,500 from the Neighborhood Drug Awareness Corps Fund and $38,500 from the Acorn Fund), enabled Club Serenity to renovate the facility. The renovation included a dedicated childrenʹs area where youth can play safely while parents attend recovery meetings. Beyond the children’s area is a shower and laundry area accessible to those in recovery.

Over $127,000 in grants from the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund was awarded to 32 local first responder organizations.

The grants helped to purchase a variety of items including rescue tools, personal protective equipment, and firearms, as well as to support critical facility upgrades.

Three unrestricted grants of $1,000 each were awarded to the Marianna Community Library, Washington County Historical Society, and the Greene County Historical Society from the Horne Family Fund.

The LeMoyne House (featured to the left) is one of several historic sites that the Washington County Historical Society maintains, in accordance with the Society’s mission to preserve Washington County’s history and share that history with the public.

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Helping You Give . . . Close to Home 1253 Route 519 PO Box 308 Eighty Four, PA 15330

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Legacy is published by the Washington County Community Foundation, Inc. 1253 Route 519, PO Box 308, Eighty Four, PA 15330 Betsie Trew, President & CEO Aliesha Walz, Chief Operating Officer ‐ Emily Fox, Communications Associate Circulation of 11,500+ www.wccf.net * 724‐222‐6330 * info@wccf.net 8

The Washington County Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization under section 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. The official registration and financial

information of the WCCF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll‐free, within Pennsylvania, 1‐800‐732‐0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.