Two Community Foundation fund holders were recently honored with Somerset County Chamber of Commerce SoCo Awards. Pennsylvania State Trooper Branden Snyder, of the Somerset County Shop With a Cop Fund, and Ian Mapes, of the SoCo Farmers’ Market Fund, were recognized at an event held in February.

 

Trooper Snyder was presented the Harold W. Wheeler, Jr. Memorial Humanitarian Award for her work with the Somerset County Shop With a Cop program. In her leadership role as the chairperson for the past two years, she has organized and grown the visibility of the program throughout the county and beyond, and has helped to provide hundreds of children with a memorable Christmas. The goal of Shop with a Cop is to create positive interactions between law enforcement and youth. Her dedication both on and off duty to the community is the reason her committee nominated her for this award.  The Community Foundation is pleased to work with Trooper Snyder and the Shop with a Cop committee year-round, as they grow this wonderful event, and we congratulate her for her leadership and for receiving this much-deserved honor.  

 

The Young Gun Award, which recognizes contributions by an up-and-comer, was given to Ian. As a well-respected Investment Officer at Somerset Trust Company, Ian has always been an active volunteer in the community, serving on the board of the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank, the Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County, and Somerset, Inc. After he was given the opportunity to attend the Somerset Chamber Leadership program in 2022, Ian was inspired to make an even larger impact in the community, so he came to the Community Foundation for advice.  With the help of many, Ian opened a partnership fund and created the SoCo Farmers Market Fund. This lively new market is open on Saturday mornings in Uptown Somerset during the summer, and it quickly became a big hit in the community. The Community Foundation is proud to work with Ian, and we congratulate him for this award.