By Christine Haines
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The Belle Vernon Area Charitable Fund received a $5,000 donation to bolster its perpetuity fund.
The gift came from one of the founders of the fund, Tom Svrcek, owner of Rostraver-based CSI Insurance Options and Amulet Farms. In addition, the BVA Charitable Fund received a $500 donation as a 10% match from a resident who wants to remain anonymous.
“These gifts are especially appreciated in as much as COVID-19 has made fundraising a challenge,” said Joe Grata, the fund’s acting chairman. “Once again, Tom Svrcek’s generosity means so much in sustaining our continuing effort.”
Svrcek sponsored the BVA Derby Day at his Amulet harness racing facility in 2018 and 2019. The popular fundraiser was canceled this year as a result of the pandemic.
“We’ve earmarked this to go into our perpetuity fund,” said Grata, who also serves as president of the Belle Vernon Area School Board. “We are approaching the $100,000 mark and that’s a good thing. The investment earnings provide money for grant making for projects each year.”
Grata said there are usually two rounds of grant-making and teachers and/or students may apply for the grants. The perpetuity fund is administered by the Westmoreland County Community Foundation.
“Small organizations like ours, it would be hard to do all the investing and tracking that needs to be done. The Westmoreland County Community Foundation handles these functions. We’re operating under the guidance of the best,” Grata said. “They have a full-time staff.”
The fund received another $5,000 donation earlier this year, Grata said.
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