Snyder Fund at Greater Pike delivers $91,000 in grants

The Richard L. Snyder Fund at Greater Pike Community Foundation has awarded $91,000 in grants to 31 area nonprofit organizations working in the arts, civic beautification, and public health. The grants will underwrite concert, art, and theater events; improvements to parks and public spaces; and emergency medical and other services at local agencies.

“The breadth and quality of work being done by the many nonprofit organizations in our community are outstanding,” said Carol Witschel, chair of Greater Pike’s Grants Committee. “Greater Pike is excited to be able to support so many worthy projects — which is what Dick Snyder intended when he helped create the foundation and through his bequest, which provides this critical funding on an annual basis.”

Snyder, who died in 2014, was a prominent Milford businessman known for his civic engagement and generosity. Active in conservation, cultural, historic preservation, and other local organizations, he was also a founder of Greater Pike. The open grant program established in his name funds nonprofits involved in enhancing the public areas of Milford Borough; arts, culture, festivals, and events; and health, medical, and wellness initiatives.

Among the 16 cultural programs that this year’s grants will support are musical and dance performances, living-history events, films, and art programs. At the Pike County Public Library, for example, the grant will fund hands-on craft classes run by the Peters Valley School of Craft. “Peters Valley School of Craft is very grateful for this Richard L. Snyder Fund grant,” said Kristin Muller, executive director at Peters Valley. “Over the past couple of years, we have offered printmaking, paper marbling, card weaving and more to Pike County residents of all ages. We love the library’s classroom and we love working with the library staff to bring creativity to life in Pike County.”

The multigenerational group of singers that make up the Tri-State Chorale, led by director Matthew Rupcich, relies on grants and fundraising to make their annual summer and Christmas concerts free to the public, said Susan Rustin, Tri-State Chorale’s president. “This is our gift to the community and we could not be more grateful to organizations like Greater Pike’s Richard L. Snyder grant, which has supported this effort every year since 2017.”

Other grant recipients on the art and culture side are Kindred Spirits Arts Programs’ concert series, Pike Opera’s opera-in-the-park event, Black Bear Film Festival, Milford Readers and Writers Festival, Hanna Q Dance Company, Farm Arts Collective, and the Milford Music Festival.

In addition, the Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition has received funding for final work on the film “Bury the Hatchet: The Tom Quick Story.” Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) received a grant for its Connecting Through Nature program, American Readers Theatre gained funds for a piece on Juliette Pierce as part of its Living History Program, the Barryville Area Arts Association received funding for its Milford Plein Air program, Dingmans Ferry Theatre gained funds for structural improvements, The Cooperage Project received funds for its Pop-Up Club, and Ecker-Haupt VFW Post 5635 got funding for its community rib roast.

At the same time, nine organizations will receive grants for educational and medical programs. The Matamoras Fire Department will use its grant to update equipment and buy new equipment “that’s needed to provide more accurate patient information to the responding ambulance personnel,” said Bill Nealis, training officer at the Matamoras Fire Department. “Some of the equipment we intend to obtain with the grant includes pulse oximeters to measure the oxygen level in a person’s bloodstream, glucometers for measuring blood sugar, and an AED with pediatric key and pads.”

Other recipients in the category of medical, health, and wellness include the Central Volunteer Fire Department for first responder emergency equipment, GAIT Equine Assisted Services’ safety and restoration initiative, Westfall Township Volunteer Fire Department for upgrades to its water rescue equipment, People Helping People to underwrite holiday meals for families in need, Devereux Foundation for training in behavioral health, The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania for its children’s advocacy work, Pike Autism Support Services of Northeast Pennsylvania for its Circle of Friends program, and Upper Delaware LGBT Center for a program “celebrating personal identities through creative expression.”

In the final category of community beautification and historic preservation, the Ecumenical Food Pantry has received funding to repair and renovate its porch. “The pantry porch was sagging and shaking. Rotting wood flooring needed to be replaced. After years of trying to get this repaired we were finally able to get it done thanks to the timely help of this $5,000 grant, which covered a large part of our cost,” said Jim Snodgrass, treasurer at the Ecumenical Food Pantry. “A huge thank you from all the volunteers and guests of the pantry for making this possible.”

Other recipients in this category are the Historic Preservation Trust of Pike County for its walking tours and lectures, Milford Enhancement Committee for park benches, Pike County Historical Society for work on the Sgt. Milton Bailey Memorial Park, Grey Towers National Historic Site for entrance signs, and the Semiquincentennial Liberty Bell outdoor museum to be erected in Hawley to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Greater Pike offers individuals, families, and local businesses an opportunity to provide a permanent and personal way to give back to the community. For more information about opening a fund or contributing to an existing fund, contact Rick Little, executive director, at 570-832-4686, ricklittle@greaterpike.org, or visit greaterpike.org.

Online donations to the Snyder fund or any other fund administered by Greater Pike can be made at greaterpike.org/fund_list.