Donations help community center

Representatives of the Huntingdon County Foundation and the Huntingdon Moose Lodge #223 were on hand to present two donations of $1,600 each to the Huntingdon Community Center for the purchase of four automated external defibrillators for the center. Those on hand for the recent presentation were, from the left, Dave Fortson, representing the Moose, HCC executive director Ted Aurand, HCF treasurer John Eastman and HCF board member Phil Thompson.
 
Photo by Kylie Hawn, The Huntingdon Daily News

Two organizations known for giving back to the greater community have come together to help bring life-saving equipment to the Huntingdon Community Center (HCC).

The Huntingdon County Foundation (HCF) recently teamed up with the Huntingdon Moose Lodge #223 to give donations of $1,600 so the center could purchase four automated external defibrillator (AED) units to have on hand at the community center.
Dwight Beall, HCC board president, said the board wanted the money to be put to use so it could potentially help anyone who visits or uses the center.

We realize that sports like pickle ball (offered at the center), draw an older crowd,” he said. “We also know a lot of grandparents come to watch their grandkids play games at the community center. We’re drawing an older crowd that not only participates (in activities), but they are also spectators. We thought this was a measure we could take to help the facility.”

Foundation treasurer John Eastman noted the donation from the Huntingdon County Foundation specifically came from the Alexandria/general fund.
In July 2019, the foundation renamed its general fund the William R. Alexander General Fund is named after William R. Alexander and, unlike other foundation endowments restricted to a specific purpose, earnings from the Alexandria General Fund can assist the community in a variety of ways.

“This helps to enhance community safety,” said Eastman. “This reinforces what we’re doing (with the Alexander General Fund). These AED units will provide a new level of health and safety for Huntingdon County residents when they visit the center.”
The Huntingdon County Foundation concluded its capital campaign in April to grow this particular endowment fund in honor of the founding foundation board member.
Since the campaign’s kickoff in November 2021, The Huntingdon County Foundation received 49 gifts to the general/Alexander fund, totaling $40,225.

The campaign ended in March.

Article by Kylie Hawn, The Huntingdon Daily News