Community Foundation Announces Funding for First Responders
The Hero Fund America Fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties recently awarded $20,000 to 16 first-responder organizations across the country. The fund annually seeks to help meet the education, training, lifesaving equipment and mental health needs of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies.
The Hero Fund America Fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties recently awarded $20,000 to 16 first-responder organizations across the country. The fund annually seeks to help meet the education, training, lifesaving equipment and mental health needs of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies.
This year’s recipients received grants ranging from $500 to $1,500:
- Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department – Alburgh, VT
- Broome Volunteer Emergency Squad – Binghamton
- Canajoharie Police Department – Canajoharie
- Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue District – Waldport, OR
- Central Taney County Fire Protection District – Taney, MO
- City of Lynch – Lynch, KY
- City of McAllen – McAllen, TX
- City of Sparta Police Department –Sparta, GA
- Glenville Hill Fire District No. 8 – Glenville
- Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services – Inlet
- Inter City Fire Protection District – Blue Summit, MO
- Jersey City Fire Foundation – Jersey City, NJ
- Kuyahoora Valley Ambulance Corps – Poland
- Medford Police Department – Medford, OK
- Village of Herkimer Fire Department – Herkimer
- Winfield Fire & Emergency Medical Services – Winfield, KS
The fund was established in 2016 in partnership with Hero Fund America, Inc., by Garth Roberts of Sharon Springs. Inspired by the efforts of first responders during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, Roberts started the Provincetown First Responders Appreciation Month, honoring 45 Boston EMS paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dispatchers, and their families. The success of that project led him to establish the Hero Fund America Fund, which has awarded more than $65,000 to organizations supporting the needs of first responders across the nation.
“The evolution of the HFA Fund has deepened our commitment and awareness to those serving in emergency services throughout the United States,” said Roberts. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Community Foundation and its ability to have provided a stable investment environment for our fund which will continue to support fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies in perpetuity.”
Hero Fund America is holding its 10th annual Run 4 the Hills event for First Responders. The 4-mile run/walk through the historic Village of Sharon Springs and the surrounding countryside will be held on September 30. To learn more about Hero Fund America and the run/walk, visit herofundamerica.org. To learn more about the fund, visit foundationhoc.org/hero.
