Pictured, left to right: Kelly Jo Ellin (MVAF); Tom Delsandro (Co-Director, AP Delsandro Memorial Fund); and Renee Zemany (cfsbank BSA & Security Officer).
The Mon Valley Alliance Foundation in partnership with cfsbank awarded a $1,000 Town-2-Town Mini Grant to the AP Delsandro Memorial Fund in Donora, PA.
The MVAF Town-2-Town Mini Grant has been supporting local organizations with funding and operational support since 2018 and continues to partner with cfsbank for a fourth year. With 10 regional locations, cfsbank, an independent mutual savings bank, has generously sponsored the program for another year as part of its mission to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
“Our sponsorship of the MVAF Town-2-Town Mini Grant Program has been a wonderful way for us to continue our 85+ year tradition of investing in our local communities. We are excited to continue our partnership and see this program grow,” said John Gill, cfsbank President and CEO.
The AP Delsandro Memorial Fund was founded in the early 1980's with the goal of raising funds for veteran's organizations and other charities in and around Donora and to pay tribute to the 89 Donora residents who sacrificed their lives in World War I, II, Korea, and Vietnam wars.
The memorial, located on Meldon Avenue sits at the heart of downtown Donora, and is a compelling addition to the community as new concrete pads have been installed, four steel pedestals holding historic plaques that list the names of the community citizens lost in war have been installed, new fencing has been added at the rear of the facility. Four small plaques with personal veteran related family remembrances have been attached to the base of the flagpole, and most recently, four 5ft x 10ft colorful and dramatic murals were installed on a wall overlooking the memorial. The murals are original art designed specificity for the site and depict compelling and patriotic scenes from the wars in which Donora citizens were lost. The AP Delsandro Memorial Fund will continue to improve this site by adding lighting to illuminate key elements within the memorial site. A seating and landscape area is also planned for residents and visitors as a place to reflect on the sacrifices made by these heroes.
“Our committee is honored to have been awarded a mini grant from the Mon Valley Alliance. It is gratifying to know that the Alliance supports veterans' causes and have provided funding to assist in improving the memorial and our community” said Tom Delsandro, Co-Director
The memorial committee has been busy with a donor brick drive and recently held its 39th Annual Golf Outing to support the project. For more information on the AP Delsandro Memorial Fund, please visit them on Facebook @APDVeteransMemorial.
“The Town-2-Town Mini Grant program has been a tremendous success, in partnership with cfsbank, to help raise awareness and support several community-based organizations in the Mid-Mon Valley over the years and this project is very much worthy of such support,” said Jamie Colecchi, Mon Valley Alliance Foundation CEO.