Greene County has once again exhibited its tradition of compassionate community involvement. Local businesses and individuals responded in force when it was announced the County would have to charge for its day camp program due to the current budget crisis. In the past, the county’s youth have enjoyed the day camp programs for free and received a discounted rate for the pools. This summer, because of the incredible outpouring of support, even the cost of swimming has been waived for participating youngsters.
Iron Senergy’s Cumberland Mine was one such benefactor. The company pledged to cover any remaining deficit after the initial public drive to fund the day camps. In addition, the company offered to pay for the swimming portion of the day camp for all participants. In the past, there was a discounted charge for pool admission.
According to Jeremy Rafferty, the Land Manager for Cumberland Mine, “Iron Senergy’s Cumberland Mine has been a member of this community for 44 years. We know first-hand how important the Summer Day Camp is to families and kids. When we heard about the possibility of families not being able to afford the fee, we knew we had to act quickly and provide assistance to support this program.”
In addition to the Day Camp donations, Iron Senergy will be funding substantial operational and aesthetic renovations at the Greene County Water Park.
Greene County Commissioner Mike Belding said, “Greene County is fortunate to have industry partners, like Iron Senergy, as we weather the counties financial issues and get back on firmer economic ground. We value their investment in our youth summer program and swimming pool renovations and look forward to continuing a strong, positive relationship between our communities, industry partners and the county.”
EQT donated $5,000 to the effort in addition to their other generous contributions to the Department of Recreation’s programs and facilities. The Greene County Farm Bureau, Greene Together and the United Mine Workers Association 2258 also provided significant contributions.
Major individual donors to the program included Mary Pruss, Mark Liedecker, William and Patricia Ginsburg, Mike and Shelley Younkin, Bill Wise, Ruth Burnett, and Buddy Greco.
In addition to his own substantial donation, Greco organized a group of local business owners whose donations ranged from $3,000 to $600. That group included Baily Insurance Agency, First Federal Savings and Loan, J.D. Enterprises, the Waynesburg Moose Lodge, the Waynesburg Lions Club, Filtrexx, Scotty’s Pizza, Wilson Tire & Auto, Representative Pam Snyder, and several anonymous donors.
County Commissioner Betsy McClure commented, “It has been a difficult year for everyone including our Greene County families. Our children have experienced this shuttering like never before in their lifetimes. These generous donations for our youth to attend Summer Day Camp and have fun with their peers at no cost are very gracious and appreciated. I am very excited for the summer activities to begin so our children can get back to normal activities outside in a safe, healthy environment.”
For more information, please call the Recreation Office at 724-852-