News

The family of a well-known and loved Philipsburg-Osceola athlete has taken steps to ensure her legacy by setting up a scholarship in her name.

            On December 26, Taylor “T-Harp” Harpster died after a car accident on State Route 322 in Philipsburg. She was only 27-years-old.

            Taylor described by her father, John Harpster, as “happy go-lucky” was successful in three different sports while in high school.

She made all-star status in softball as a catcher for three straight years and was on the 2007 PIAA championship team, led the volleyball team to a District 6 title, and scored over 1,300 point in basketball.

Playing sports taught her how to deal with people and when to accept a loss and move on, he said.

As for the scholarship, she would want to continue to help others, he said.

“The requirements are minimal,” John said. “You don’t have to be the smartest or most athletic.”

The first of the scholarships will be given out this semester. The hope is that they will be able to give out two $1,000 scholarships every year for the unforeseeable future.

The Taylor Harpster “T-Harp” Memorial Scholarship was established through the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation which made it easy, John said.

“They were already set up for it and we didn’t have to go through all the red tape.”

 According to the requirements listed for the award on the website clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org, “this scholarship is intended for those individuals whose choices and passions reflect those of T-Harp. She was a team leader and cheerleader. She was always positive in life and beyond.”

John noted that the scholarship is not limited to colleges but can be used for a trade or nursing school as well.

“This scholarship is something we feel she would want,” John said.

This notion is seconded by her former softball coach Jim Gonder who hopes those who are awarded the scholarship will want to learn more about Taylor.

“She was a great friend, great student and great teammate. She was special,” he said.

In addition to her sports success she was a “stellar student” who graduated third in her class in 2010. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Lock Haven University in 2014 with an accounting degree.

Some of the things she learned (and taught others) by playing sports, helped her in life and to become a “responsible young lady.”

Jim recalled a time that his daughter had problems with another student. Taylor “stepped in and took care of it,” he said.

“If you were her friend, you were always her friend and she stuck up for you.

 “We won’t soon forget her.”

Another step to keep her memory alive was taken when John and his wife, Bobbi, added a special bench honoring their daughter at the Lady Mountie Softball Complex in Philipsburg on March 29.

 “It will stir fond memories and I know people will sit on it and talk about her,” Jim said.

Both the scholarship and the bench should keep people thinking about T-Harp for years to come, ensuring that the memory of this special woman will live on.

Donations for the scholarship can be made via Paypal at the website clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org by going to “our funds” and choosing the scholarship fund list. Checks can also be sent to the CCCF, PO Box 1442, Clearfield, PA 16830.

The CCCF is a local charitable endowment that funds charities within Clearfield County allowing them to grow and benefit the local community forever.

The CCCF has 46 different funds including many local charitable groups and 14 scholarship funds. As of April, the CCCF’s assets are over $6 million.

            Anyone interested in starting a fund can call 592-7331.

CLEARFIELD -Among the grants awarded recently by the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation, is one for the Child Advocacy Center of Clearfield County.

 The CAC-CC is an ongoing project providing services and support for children who have suffered physical and/or sexual abuse, according to information provided by the center.

It opened in August of 2016 after a three-year long effort to start a facility in the county.

Clearfield County has a high number of child abuse reports and is often higher than Pennsylvania as a whole.

-Read Entire Article-

The Clearfield County Charitable Foundation recently awarded grants to 23 local community agencies and organizations.

This year the Foundation gave out over $20,000. The grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process of all applications submitted from throughout Clearfield County.

”We had a good variety of applications this year for some excellent projects.  We are very happy to support these most worthwhile programs in our community,” said Grant Committee Chair Nina Davis.

Kevin McMillen, CCCF Board Chairman noted that “the Foundation has reached an asset size that allows us to continue to increase the amount of money we distribute, through our competitive grant program, to Clearfield County charities.

“Thanks to all who have generously given (donations) to the Foundation.”

-Read Entire Article-

The Clearfield County Charitable Foundation recently (Jan. 2018) awarded grants to 27 local community agencies and organizations.

This year the Foundation gave out over $18,000. The grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process from all applications submitted from throughout Clearfield County.

According to Kevin McMillen, Foundation President, “the Foundation has reached an asset size that allows us to continue to increase the amount of money we distribute, through our competitive grant program, to Clearfield County charities. Thanks to all who have generously given (donations) to the Foundation.”

This year’s recipients are:

• Agape Community Services in DuBois got $500 for a Fresh Start program to teach money management skills.
• The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund in State College got $500 to provide gift cards for food to Clearfield County cancer patients.
• Bucktail Council, Boy Scouts of America, DuBois got $500 for a nutritional and exercise program to combat childhood obesity.
• Catholic Charities Adoption Services in DuBois got $500 for a pregnancy and parent support program.
• Children’s Aid Society, Clearfield, received $500 to help them repair their playground.
• Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre (CAST), Clearfield, got $500 for their Seeds of Art Summer Camp.
• Clearfield County League on Social Services received $500 for professional development classes for the public.
• The Clearfield County Cancer Support Group received $500 to provide support to area cancer patients.
• Curwensville High School Local History Class got $500 to create local history signs about the Pennsylvania Bucktails for Rails to Trails.
• Curwensville-Pike Township Historical Society got $500 to help with the renovations of their museum at the Korb House.
• DuBois Area Historical Society got $400 to build shelving to store large books, manuscripts and maps.
• DuBois Concert Association received $500 for a student outreach program.
• DuBois Nursing Home Auxiliary received $500 to provide gifts and a Christmas party for residents.
• Friends of Curwensville Lake got $500 to repair their pavilions and restrooms.
• Glen Richey Fireman’s Recreational Park got $500 to create another baseball field at their park.
• Grampian Lions Club received $500 to provide hearing aids and glasses to people without insurance.
• Greater Clearfield Area Chamber of Commerce will get $500 for a program to help educate 8^th grade students in the Clearfield School District about employment opportunities in the area.
• Haven House, DuBois, got $500 to help build a gazebo at their facility.
• Living Bread Ministries in Clearfield received $500 for a refrigerator for their facility.
• Orphans of the Storm in Curwensville received $500 for their pet spay and neuter program.
• Penn Highlands Clearfield got $500 for a clinical simulation center for healthcare students.
• The Salvation Army posts in Clearfield and DuBois will each receive $500 for their Ark of Learning programs.
• Serving Hands Ministry in DuBois got $350 to provide support for elderly residents who need help with lawn work and maintenance for their home.
• Susquehanna River Arts Center of Clearfield County (SRACC) received $385 for Clearfield School District students to paint murals in Downtown Clearfield.
• West Branch Elementary School was awarded $500 for their Summer READ Challenge program.

These grants were made possible from money held by the foundation in its Community Fund and the CCL Donor Designated Fund for organizations in Clearfield Borough/Curwensville Borough/Lawrence Township.

These funds were established for the specific purpose of making grants to worthwhile projects benefiting Clearfield County communities.

The total amount given this year includes $5,300 for four groups in Osceola Mills from the Sara Jane Mattern Fund. Each year the Osceola Mills United Methodist Church, the Columbia Fire Company, the Osceola Mills Historical Society and Library are eligible to apply for these funds.

The CCCF itself is a local charitable endowment that funds charities within Clearfield County allowing them to grow and benefit the local community forever. It provides a simple way to fulfill multiple charitable interests while keeping administrative expenses to a minimum. All funds go to the local charities.
            Currently the Foundation has 44 different funds including many local charitable groups and 12 scholarship funds. As of December 2017, the Foundation’s assets have a market value close to $4 million.

            Contributions to the Community Fund, the CCL Donor Designated Fund, the Mattern Fund or any of the foundation’s endowment funds may be made at the website www.clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org through Paypal or can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1442, Clearfield PA 16830.

            Anyone interested in starting a fund can call 592-7331.

Vicki Myers, center, presents a $500 check to Ashley White, Reading Specialist of the West Branch Elementary School, for the Summer R.E.A.D. program while surrounded by some of her students. First Row from left to right are Kenzie McDowell, Emma Bumgarner, Madison Kyler, Zaid Carr, Colton Fetters, and Peityn Witherite. Second Row: Allie Bumgarner, Chase Bumgarner, Cale McDowell, Jacob Tiracorda, Isaiah Witherite, and Kurtis Fetters. Third Row: Ethan Fetters, Sage Carr, Isaac Tiracorda, Myers, White, Randy Fetters, Logan Kyler, Drake Witherite. (Photo provided by Ashley White)

March 2018

MORRISDALE – West Branch Elementary students have an incentive to keep reading in the summer thanks in part to a grant from the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation.

            The grant supports the Summer R.E.A.D (Read and Explore Adventures Daily) Challenge that awards points to students for visits to the library and for how much they read.

            This program began last summer and followed the previous reading program. Participation increased last year from 12% to 30%.

            Among the prizes is “book fair bucks” which the children can use to purchase books at the school’s scholastic book fair.

“I gave them choices and they chose what they wanted,” said coordinator and reading specialist Ashley White.

            She was inspired by one of the students in the 2016 program who was incredibly happy to receive money to spend on books, saying “I can go buy what I want!”

            “Unfortunately I see some of our readers, whether it be strugglers or above benchmark students, not having the opportunity to purchase new books or books of their choice because their family simply doesn’t have money to spend on extras such as books or other reading resources.”

            She thought about how to get the books they wanted “in their hands” and that was when she came up with the Summer READ program.

During her first years at the school, White said only 3% to 5% of the students were involved in the summer reading program. The idea of awarding funds to purchase books as incentives for the kids turned everything around.

In 2017, 151 students were involved. They earned over $1,600 in scholastic book bucks for reading 408,320 pages.

Part of the program is an assembly in September that acknowledges the students and presents awards. 19 of the students beat the Teacher Summer Reading Group’s 3,908 points.

            White was amazed that in this rural area, they were somehow able to make it to the library on a regular basis asking family members and others for rides.

            “These ‘guardians’ didn’t just come in and sit down,” she explained. “They read with the students, helped the students look for books and asked questions while they were reading.”

            This interaction showed the students that someone cared about them and wanted them to succeed.

            “Literacy is so important and children, adults and elderly people need it to be successful in life,” White said.

            This year the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation awarded over $18,000 to 27 different local non-profit groups and agencies.

The CCCF itself is a local charitable endowment that funds charities within Clearfield County allowing them to grow and benefit the local community forever. It provides a simple way to fulfill multiple charitable interests while keeping administrative expenses to a minimum. All funds go to the local charities.
            Currently the Foundation has 44 different funds including many local charitable groups and 12 scholarship funds. As of December 2017, the Foundation’s assets have a market value close to $4 million.

Contributions to any of the foundation’s endowment funds may be made at the website www.clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org through Paypal or can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1442, Clearfield PA 16830.

            Anyone interested in starting a fund can call 592-7331.