EMPORIUM — Tickets are on sale at the Cameron County Courthouse for the Baskets of Hope fundraiser to raise money for local residents seeking treatment for cancer.
Prothonotary Mary Grace Olay reported on fundraising efforts during a county commissioners meeting held Thursday morning. This year’s contest includes 14 “baskets,” though the effort brings in much more than just baskets. One of this year’s prizes is an outdoor fire ring filled with pie irons, hot dog roasting forks, cook books, and all the fixings for an outdoor evening around the fire. Two lawn chairs and a set of LED lanterns completes the prize.
Other prizes include a Raider pride basket, a Steelers basket, a wine basket, a great outdoors basket, two baskets featuring gifts from local small businesses, and a mystery box with a prize that will not be revealed until the lucky winner is drawn Oct. 31.
“All the money stays local, and goes to a resident or residents fighting any type of cancer,” said Olay. “Last year, we raised $4,620, and helped five families. This year, our goal is $5,000.”
Tickets are available at the prothonotary’s office and at Flowers-N-Things in Emporium for $1 each. Baskets were compiled of items donated by courthouse workers and a number of Cameron County-area businesses and organizations.
Community Development Director Cliff Clark held the second hearing for the 2017 Community Development Block Grant program prior to the commissioners’ regular meeting. Block grant funds are federally-allocated to the state, and administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
Cameron County’s 2017 allotment will be $203,969. Projects funded through block grants must benefit low- to moderate-income individuals, address conditions of slums or blight, or meet a particularly urgent community development need.
The funds for 2017 are to be allocated as follows: 38 percent ($36,714) for administration costs; $68,000 for the Emporium Arms window replacement project; $24,255 for the Northern Tier Community Action Corp. window replacement project; $25,000 for repairs at the Emporium Senior Center; and $50,000 for countywide spot blight removal.
Commissioners had to decide where to shift money from following a determination by DCED to allow funds to be used in the Emporium Senior Center project. Prior to the notification, those funds were to go toward the NTCAC project. Funds were pulled from that project because in the initial planning, the county had only planned to cover a portion of the costs, and NTCAC was already pursuing alternate funding, according to discussion at the meeting.
A copy of the three-year Community Development Plan, and the 2017 block grant application, will be available for review at the Cameron County Community and Economic Development office at the courthouse. The three-year plan was approved during the commissioners’ meeting.
Cameron County’s Homecoming festivities will be held this weekend, including a parade at 5 p.m. Friday followed by the Homecoming football game and crowning of royalty at the high school football field.
Sizerville State Park’s annual Autumn Festival will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday. The Hometown Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Saturday evening at Cameron County High School.
The next meeting of the Cameron County Commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at the courthouse in Emporium.
