Mon Valley Paws & Girls on the Run are awarded funding
Pictured, from left: John Gill, cfs Bank President and CEO; Danielle Maurer cfs Bank Chief Marketing Officer; Stephanie Masters, Girls on the Run; Gina C. Lynn, Mon Valley Alliance Foundation Board Member and Kelly Jo Ellin, MVAF Office Manager.
April 15th, 2021.- In its third year of supporting local organizations with funding and operational support, the MVAF Minigrant Program is glad to announce a new corporate sponsor for 2021. Cfs Bank, an independent mutual savings bank with 10 regional locations, has committed to supporting the program for the entire calendar year as part of its mission to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
“Sponsoring the Minigrant Program was a natural fit and a great way for us to continue our 85+ year tradition of investing in our local communities, while also supporting smaller organizations that are making a large impact on the quality of life of our customers”, said John Gill, cfs Bank President and CEO.
The recipient of the first grant, Girls on the Run, is a national non-profit that focuses on building self-confidence, understanding the importance of physical and emotional health and learning life skills for girls in grades 3-8 through running, group activities, and coaching from local volunteers.
A Mon Valley chapter is in development with plans for a summer camp, weekly and monthly group runs, and other activities. The MVAF Minigrant will jump start the new Chapter and host a group of underserved girls in the Mon Valley Area providing running shoes, shirts and shorts and entrance fees for competitive races. The program starts in April and continues through May. Stephanie Masters, a local Mon Valley HR Professional, is leading the development of the organization and inviting interested participants to contact her at 412.302.8175 or stephanieamasters@gmail.com for more information.
Pictured, in front Roberta Boso; Back Row, left to right; Randy Marino, Mary Earl, Rick Alcorn, Sharon Lewgood, Danielle Maurer, Chief Marketing Officer cfs Bank; John Gill, President and CEO cfs Bank; and Kelly Jo Ellin , MVAF Office Manager.
Mon Valley Paws (MVP) is a nonprofit charity established in February of 2020 – from the former sponsors of the Monessen PuppyUp. MVP works to help individuals or other non-profits specializing in the health care of the animals that they rescue. The grant funding will be used to provide health care to rescued animals through partnerships with the Service Dogs for USA Veterans (Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs), local shelters, and assistance to senior citizens through the Mon Valley Paws Senior Citizen Grant. For more information or to volunteer, please contact monvalleypaws@gmail.com or visit their website at www.monvalleypaws.com for upcoming events.