Bedford, PA — The Bedford County Change Makers (BCCM) held their second annual grant announcement event at Olde Bedford Brewery on November 2. The celebration recognized the second annual Bedford County Change Makers’ grantee and 12 other grantees receiving funding from the Bedford County Community Fund and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ Distribution Committee as part of their Fall 2023 grant round.
The BCCM initiative is open to anyone who cares about Bedford County– to give a little each month to make big changes. To join, members commit to a small recurring contribution every month. Half of the proceeds raised will go to the Bedford County Community Fund so that the fund can continue to grow forever. The other half of the proceeds will go to a Bedford County nonprofit who applies for a grant.
The Bedford County Change Makers’ contributions make a difference in Bedford County yearly through a special grant award in the fall—and forever through the Bedford County Community Fund. First Commonwealth Bank discovered the Bedford County Change Makers in 2022 and decided that they wanted to be a part of making the Bedford community a better place, forever. They committed to donating $2,500 for the 2022-2023 membership season, giving more leverage to every dollar raised for Bedford County grantmaking.
The recipient of this year’s BCCM award, with a grant of $4,555 was Reimagine Everett, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to the renovation and reopening of the Everett Theatre and other projects to benefit their community. The group received additional support from CFA’s Distribution Committee to bring their total grant award to $7,500.
“We are so grateful to the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies for their grant award of $7,500 which will be used for Phase 1B renovations. This grant was made possible through the Bedford County Change Makers and the Benjamin Bosler Fund. Thank you so much for helping with the Everett Theatre restoration,” said Leah Pepple, Reimagine Everett committee member.
The funds granted will assist with restoration efforts at the Everett Theatre including repair and upgrades to the façade of the theater, including a new marquee, and replacing the front doors with full glass doors to replicate the original look of the theater. A marquee light-up night is planned for Friday, November 26 at 4 p.m. The celebration will happen directly after Everett’s Home for Christmas parade, tree lighting, and fireworks.
Twelve other grant recipients in Bedford County also received funding as part of the Fall 2023 grant round, for a total of approximately $61,500. These projects include:
- Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries – Learning 4 All
- Bedford County Regional Education Foundation, Inc. – ACM Clinical Nursing Simulation
- Bedford County Players – Bedford County Playhouse Bell Tower Project
- Bedford County Agricultural Society – Brewing New Life into the Coffee Pot
- Bloody Run Historical Society – Caboose Preservation
- Burkett’s Watch Me Grow Daycare – Flooring for Apple Blossom Learning Center
- Camp Living Waters – Meadows Bathhouse Improvements
- Circle of Support Advocacy Center – Computer and Phone System Upgrades
- Downtown Bedford, Inc. – New Christmas Decorations for Downtown Bedford
- PA Society for Biomedical Research – SPARC: Mobile Stem Education
- Reimagine Everett – Phase 1B – Everett Theatre Restoration
- Vincent DePaul-St. Thomas Conference – Tangible Assistance for Those in Need
- United Way of Bedford County – Women United Work Wear Program
“Bedford County is a generous community. We are proud of what we have and we want to continue to make it better. Please consider becoming a Bedford County Change Maker and/or donating to a charitable cause of choice,” said Dina McGee, Bedford County Endowments Director.
To learn more about the Bedford County Change Makers, or to become a member, visit: https://www.cfalleghenies.org/bedford-county/ or contact Dina McGee at dmcgee@cfalleghenies.org/ 814-623-0044.
