The effort enjoyed community support that Havey describes as
inspirational, with participation from virtually all Allegany County police
agencies and numerous volunteers, and regular donations-including those from
the Allegany County Deputy Sheriffs’ Beards for Bucks program.
With Kmart’s closing (in Wellsville) ending the program as it had been
functioning, Havey recalls, “The Shop With a Cop committee looked at the
various options available to us to continue the mission and the Allegany County
Area Foundation checked all our boxes.
If we cannot physically run the program, this is a wonderful
alternative.”
Through the Foundation, the committee has used its remaining
resources to create the Wellsville Shop With a Cop Fund. This will provide at
least one annual holiday season grant to an Allegany County organization for
programing to help disadvantaged kids. The fund can continue to receive
donations through ACAF, and as it grows grants will increase in number and/or
in size.
The first grant will be made late this fall. Interested
organizations should contact ACAF at director@acafny.org or 585-296-5616.
The Allegany County Area Foundation holds $10M in assets and
manages over 50 scholarship and grant programs. If you are interested in
contributing to this or another existing fund or in establishing a grant or
scholarship fund or, please contact ACAF at 585-296-5616 or director@acafny.org
Donations are tax deductible.