The Hero Fund America Fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has awarded over $20,000 to 17 first-responder organizations across the United States.
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.
They are:
* Almerante Fire Department – Laurel Hill, Florida.
* Blue Mountain Lake Volunteer Fire Department – Blue Mountain Lake.
* Bridgeport Fire Protection District – Bridgeport, California.
* City of Berlin Police Department – Berlin, Wisconsin.
* City of Beverly Hills Volunteer Fire Department – Beverly Hills, Texas.
* City of Sweet Springs – Sweet Springs, Missouri.
* Ellsworth County EMS – Ellsworth, Kansas.
* Hillburn Fire Department – Hillburn.
* Johnsburg Emergency Squad – North Creek.
* Lockwood Volunteer Fire Company – Lockwood.
* Old Forge Volunteer Fire Department – Old Forge.
* Oriskany Falls Volunteer Fire Department – Oriskany.
* Pleasant View Fire Department – Pleasant View, Tennessee.
* Richmondville Volunteer Emergency Squad – Richmondville.
* Skenesborough Emergency Squad – Whitehall.
* Tuscola Fire Department – Tuscola, Illinois.
* Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company – Whitehall.
The fund was established in 2016 in partnership with Hero Fund America by Garth Roberts of Sharon Springs.
Inspired by the efforts of first responders during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, Mr. 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 $98,000 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 Mr. 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.”