Energy Transfer awards $34G grant for Lower Chi firefighters
LOWER CHICHESTER » The Lower Chichester Volunteer Fire Department accepted a grant in the amount of $34,700 from Energy Transfer this week. With this grant, Energy Transfer’s First Responder Fund surpasses $1 million in funding distributed to emergency services throughout Pennsylvania.
“We were very fortunate to receive this grant, which allowed us to replace 10 sets of turnout gear for our firefighters. That includes jackets, pants, hoods, gloves and boots, which are all required to be replaced every 10 years and are increasingly expensive,” Lower Chichester Fire Chief Brandon Fuller said. “The continued support of Energy Transfer allows us to maintain our members’ safety as the top priority while aligning with our mission statement of serving with honor, tradition and pride.”
The Energy Transfer First Responder Fund provides grants to help further the primary mission of first-responder organizations, including local fire departments; emergency medical services; county emergency management agencies; county, regional and local police departments; and other eligible agencies. Grants are determined based on a competitive application and review process, and written applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the following cycle.
“The First-Responder Fund has benefited the fire company greatly over the last several years, first helping us to upgrade our facilities three years ago and now assisting to replace our gear,” said Lower Chichester Township Commissioner Mark Lamplugh, a longtime Lower Chichester firefighter. “We appreciate Energy Transfer’s commitment to working alongside us to help keep our community safe.”
“It’s only fitting that we mark our $1 million milestone for the First-Responder Fund in Pennsylvania here in Lower Chichester, a community where we’ve been ingrained since our legacy Sunoco days,” said Joseph McGinn, vice president of public affairs at Energy Transfer. “We have always been proud to support the communities where we live and work, and these grants are just one way we are proud to partner with first responders, in addition to trainings and other community outreach.”
Energy Transfer is one of the largest and most diversified energy logistics companies in the country, with nearly 3,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure and gathering systems located in Pennsylvania. Energy Transfer also operates the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex, a natural gas liquids processing facility in Delaware County. Energy Transfer announced a project labor agreement in 2019 with the Philadelphia Building Trades, an association of about 50 local unions, for work to transform the complex from a former oil refinery to an NGL hub. The $200 million agreement is expected to create about 1,200 jobs, in addition to the approximately 225 full-time employees currently working at the complex.
Catholic Social Services offers free clothing for men in need
Catholic Social Services’ Delaware County Family Service Center in Chester is providing ongoing assistance to the community in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to a recent donation of clothing items from Pros Fore Clothes Foundation to aid in COVID-19 relief efforts.
Over ten boxes of men’s clothing will be distributed to those in need, 11 a.m. to 12 noon Thursday, Oct. 22, on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Delco Family Service Center, 130, E. Seventh St., Chester. All must adhere to guidelines set forth by governmental health agencies.
Since the onset of the pandemic, Family Service Centers, part of the CommunityBased Services Division of CSS, have provided critical support and emergency assistance including food, diapers, and social services to those in need. Family Service Centers serve as the first point of contact for individuals, families, and parishes when they seek assistance from CSS. There are six centers across the fivecounty region.
For more information on the clothing distribution, contact the Delaware County Family Services at 610-8767101.
DCIU presents free parent training
The Delaware County Intermediate Unit is offering a free workshop to help parents better navigate the often-challenging road map of educating their children with disabilities or learning challenges, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9.
The content of the workshop is geared toward parents so there will be no Act 48 or continuing education credit offered if a professional chooses to attend this workshop.
“What Parents can do to Help Their Anxious Child” will be presented by Karen Neifer, Professional Development Specialist. A Zoom link will be sent via e-mail to parents who register in advance.
One in three children will experience a significant anxiety disorder before adulthood. It is important for these children to receive intervention to prevent long-term anxiety issues. The good news is that a 2019 study at Yale University found that training parents how to react to anxious child behaviors is as effective at reducing anxiety as providing therapy to the child. Parents can learn the techniques to help them work with their anxious child.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is necessary. Register at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/whatparents-can-do -to -helptheir-anxious-child-tickets-121247651991 or call the Delco IU at 610-938-9000.
Park Fund created to help Delco’s parks and others in Pa.
A new nonprofit organization called Pennsylvania Parks Fund has been launched to help parks and forests in Pennsylvania. They have set up a county parks fund for each county in Pennsylvania. With the coronavirus putting pressure on many local and state government budgets, the regular amount of limited funds allotted to parks is diminishing. Pennsylvania Parks Fund aims to raise enough funds to give grants up to $25,000 to numerous parks in 2021. The fund relies on its members and their dues to fund the grants.
The mission of the Pennsylvania Parks Fund is to protect, preserve and improve all public parks throughout Pennsylvania.
The fund helps cover the expenses of all national, state, county, city, borough and township parks in Pennsylvania. Also, all national and state forests, too. There are an estimated 6,100 parks and forests throughout the state.
“I founded Pennsylvania Parks Fund because I believe in the importance of connecting to nature and preserving it,” explained Justin Spencer, executive director of the fund. “Parks and forests are the best way to connect to the great outdoors, which is so good for our bodies and our minds. In order to keep these opportunities for connection sustained, we’re inviting people to become PPF members. When you become a member, your membership dues go directly to helping the parks in your county stay afloat. Our generous members are the only way we’re able to support so many parks.”
The fund’s goal now through Aug. 31, 2021 is to raise $800,000 for parks throughout Delaware County, which is the home to about 320 parks.
Members can choose between annual or monthly memberships, as well as multiple membership levels. All dues are tax deductible, minus the costs of benefits, and each member will receive various benefits such as annual calendars, entertainment and travel discounts, face mask, T-shirts and hoodies.
Those interested in becoming a fund member can visit www.pennsylvaniaparks.org. The campaign specifically for Delaware County Fund can be found by visiting: https:// w w w.f lipc ause.c om/se - cure/cause_pdetails/OTkwOTA=.