Good deeds are paying off for Indiana County volunteers. The county’s fire chiefs have created a scholarship based on good citizenship and civil service.
The Indiana County Fire Chiefs Association – ICFCA – set up a fund to give two $500 awards each year to college-bound students who are active in their community. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, which will process applications and administer the awards every year.
ICFCA President Melvin Benamati says fire chiefs in Indiana want a way to encourage more young people to become personally involved in making their communities better. They also want to reward those students for spending their free time helping others.
“Volunteers are the heart and strength of Indiana communities,” says Benamati. “Our fire companies wouldn’t exist if not for the volunteers who show up to protect their friends and neighbors when that siren calls. We hope this award will put a spotlight on the great work being done by volunteers of all ages and abilities.”
The awards are available to high school seniors pursing college, and to full-time college students up to their third year. Non-traditional students also qualify and are encouraged to apply. Applicants need to live within the service area of any of the 28 volunteer fire departments that serve Indiana County residents. Special consideration will be given to students who have volunteered with their local fire company.
Support the fund online, or find out more about application and award details.
Here’s a list of member fire departments and qualifying school districts:
| Member Organizations | School Districts | |
| Armagh Volunteer Fire Department | Apollo Ridge School District | |
| Aultman Volunteer Fire Department | Blacklick Valley School District | |
| Blacklick Volunteer Fire Department | Blairsville/Saltsburg School District | |
| Blairsville Volunteer Fire Department | Calvary Baptist Academy | |
| Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department | Harmony Area School District | |
| Brush Valley Volunteer Fire Department | Homer-Center School District | |
| Cherryhill Volunteer Fire Department | Indiana School District | |
| Cherry Tree Volunteer Fire Department | Ligonier Valley School District | |
| Clyde Volunteer Fire Department | Marion Center School District | |
| Clymer Volunteer Fire Department | Northern Cambria School District | |
| Coal Run Volunteer Fire Department | Penns Manor School District | |
| Commodore Volunteer Fire Department | Purchase Line School District | |
| Coral/Graceton Volunteer Fire Department | Punxsutawney School District | |
| Creekside Volunteer Fire Department | Seeds of Faith Christian Academy | |
| Elderton Volunteer Fire Department | United School District | |
| Glen Campbell Volunteer Fire Department | West Shamokin High School | |
| Homer City Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Indiana Fire Association | ||
| Iselin Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Nicktown Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Pine Township Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Plumville Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Rossiter Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Tunnelton Volunteer Fire Department | ||
| Vintondale Volunteer Fire Department |
For additional information, or to set up your own scholarship fund, contact CFA Development Associate Katrina Perkosky: kperkosky@cfalleghenies.org, (814) 536-7741, xt. 119.
