Local artist Amy Goughnour paints rocks during Tuesday’s Give Local America Day celebration and open house at the new Tucker Community Foundation Office in Davis. TCF Development Director Diane Hinkle said Goughnour volunteered her time Tuesday to paint the rocks during the celebration.
Tucker Community Foundation Executive Committee President David Cooper, left, and Executive Director Robert Burns, right, accept a check from Grant County Bank Assistant Cashier and Branch Manager Kathy Thomas, center, during Tuesday’s Give Local America Day celebration and Open House at the new TCF Development Office. Grant County Bank donated $1,000 for Run For It as a race sponsor and $1,000 for the Boulder Park Project.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
DAVIS – Local residents flocked to Tuesday’s Give Local America Day celebration and open house at the new Tucker Community Foundation Development Office in Davis. Those attending the events were able to see the new Development Office, tour the expansion of the Highland Market, meet Penelope’s kids, talk with TED and learn about the many projects and programs of the Tucker Community Foundation. TCF Executive Director Robert Burns said the event gave community members the chance to get together and give to a lot of different causes.
“Folks can give to the Tucker Community and Economic Development Fund, to the Boulder Park Project or many other funds,” Burns said. “If they give to something that is not us, we will make sure the donations get where they need to go. Each year, we receive donations for St. Jude’s Hospital and make sure they get there.”
Burns said the event is a nationwide event where folks can give to many different causes.
“We just had a check passing a few minutes ago where a child gave us a donation of $30 to the animal shelter,” Burns said. “At one hour into the event, we have had more than 100 people stop by, and we are expecting many more before the event comes to a close.”
Burns said the Tucker County EMS cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for the event.
“So we have dinner for anyone if they want it,” Burns said. “Folks can come and bring their families and have a good time while we raise money for a lot of causes.”
TCF Development Director Diane Hinkle said they use the day mostly to celebrate with donors who have helped the Foundation grow.
“They are certainly welcome to donate but are not required to do so,” Hinkle said. “That is not the focus. We want to demonstrate the impact their donations are making on all of our projects. That has been huge and we appreciate the donors stopping by to share and learn about Youth Philanthropy, the Tucker Boulder Park Project and Run For It. We are pushing to raise the match for the third and final boulder.”
The Tucker Community Foundation service residents in Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Pocahontas, Preston and Randolph counties in W.Va. and Garrett County, Md. Additional information is available on their Facebook page, online at www.tuckerfoundation.net or by calling 304-259-5008.Since the organization was formed in 1989, it has granted more than $6 million.
