Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
Funds from the recent sale of the Shawsville Rescue Squad have been placed into an endowed fund, providing scholarships for graduates from Eastern Montgomery High School.
Eastmont Community Foundation Board’s Distribution Committee oversees specific scholarships as well, set aside for deserving Eastern Montgomery High School students entering into a medical or first-responder educational program.
“The first responder fund will be focused on firefighters, law enforcement, rescue squad and EMS, and medical doctors and nurses,” Lauren Tate, President of the Eastmont Community Foundation Board said. “The decisions on the criteria for the scholarship funds will be available in the next scholarship cycle.”
The Eastmont Community Foundation Board (ECF) supports the eastern part of Montgomery County, or Shawsville municipality and community, in many other ways as well.
Founded in 1982 and formerly known as the Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation, ECF is a non-profit organization that operates Old Town Fields, the Shawsville Middle School athletic complex, the Eastmont Thrift store located in the old fire station, and the Waldron Fitness Center.
According to their website at www.eastmontcf.com, ECF also supports LINC, a non-profit newsletter. The goal of publishing the quarterly LINC Letter is to help keep the community connected. Outreach programs and activities are aimed at improving health, well-being and education in the community.
ECF does not receive any financial support from government entities; therefore, donations, grant funds, and fundraising are utilized in supporting the ECF’s work. One way the foundation works to raise funds is providing events such as concerts in the Old Town Fields. Additionally, the Eastmont Thrift Store continues to be very successful and frequented by community members and visitors.
The Waldron Center offers meeting spaces to the community and will lease out small business offices. They also have a big community room they can rent out by reservation. Eastern Montgomery County High School Prom was held in the center, providing a large space for these types of venues.
The Meadowbrook Museum, also located in the same building, has several rooms to operate out of it. It is a separate entity, and they have that central space for their displays.
Old Town Fields will be the location of a back-to-school event on August 5, 3-5 p.m. Students returning to schools in the district are invited to come out for an afternoon of fun and in preparation of returning for the new school year.
The website offers detailed information on ECF’s contributions and operations for community members and visitors to the region. Donations are welcomed with all dollars going directly to the ECF’s programs that benefit the citizens of eastern Montgomery County.
Eastmont Community Foundation strives to bring the community together and allow for opportunities that all citizens can enjoy.
“I love our community,” Tate said. “It is a unique community and we definitely do try to improve things and connect others.”
