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10 Recipients Awarded Over $50,000 at Annual Gulfport Grantee Celebration

Lore City, OHThe Gulfport Energy Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) announced its second round of 2016 grantees at its annual grantee celebration. Ten grant recipients received over $50,000 in grant awards supporting projects related to environmental stewardship and health and human services. The grants supported nonprofit and public organizations in Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, and Noble counties.

“Our fall round of grant funding in 2016 was focused on projects related to environmental stewardship and health and human services,” said Mike Moore, CEO and President of Gulfport Energy Corporation. “We are excited to fund a number of the proposals received and look forward to seeing the transformational improvements these projects will provide within the communities where Gulfport operates and resides in Appalachian Ohio. We look forward to our 2017 grant cycles and remain committed to serving the communities in our region.”

The Gulfport Energy Fund at FAO was created to support nonprofits, schools, and communities through projects that increase quality of life, create access to opportunities, or identify and implement a solution for a community need in the counties where Gulfport Energy operates.

Grant recipients in the second round of 2016 include:

The American Heart Association in Belmont County received a $10,000 grant to support the Creating Pillars of Hope: Providing CPR Training in Appalachian Ohio. This grant will support CPR training for all 9th grade students in Belmont County during the 2016-2017 school year in all seven high schools.

Cambridge Middle School, part of the Cambridge City School District in Guernsey County, received a $5,000 grant to support the construction of a greenhouse for its Outdoor Education class. Construction of the greenhouse will allow middle school students to learn about farming, composting, vermicomposting, raising animals, and operating a greenhouse by providing hands-on instruction.

The City of Steubenville Parks and Recreation Department received an $8,000 grant to support upgrades to the Wellness Center in the Martin Luther King Recreation Center. Located in Jefferson County, the Parks and Recreation Department will use this grant to replace the flooring in the free weight and fitness room, in addition to updating equipment and starting facility renovations.

Covenant Christian Academy in Jefferson County received a nearly $1,200 grant to support the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator for the school.

Gifted Gaits, Inc. received a $2,285 grant to purchase a portable horse-mounting ramp to make it easier for riders and assistants to mount horses. Gifted Gaits, Inc. is an organization that provides horse-riding therapy to clients with disabilities from Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe, and Noble counties.

The Graysville & Community Volunteer Fire Department received a $5,250 grant to support the purchase of a UTV. Serving residents in Monroe, Noble, and Washington counties, the UTV will be used to fight brush and oil and gas fires, as well as rescuing injured hunters or workers.

The Harrison Community Hospital, serving residents of both Harrison and Jefferson counties, received a $10,000 grant to upgrade the MARCS Radio System. This grant will be used to upgrade the current radio system to ensure the Harrison Community Hospital’s Ambulance Service can efficiently communicate with other emergency responders in the community.

The Harrison County EMS in Harrison County received a $1,750 grant to support International Trauma Life Support Training (ITLS). ITLS is the leading course in trauma dedicated to preventing death and disability through education and training that involves classroom instruction, hands-on training, and assessment for emergency responders.

The Ohio Valley Health Center in Jefferson County received a $4,650 grant to purchase laptop computers to use in patient exam rooms and provider work areas, and a scanner to scan patient data and health records into the Center’s Electronic Medical Record software.

The St. Clairsville Public Library in Belmont County received a $2,261 grant to support the development of a health and human services collection at the library. The grant will be used to purchase and feature books related to mental and physical health, parenting, and family care issues for library patrons.

Grant rounds for the Gulfport Energy Fund open twice annually in the spring and the fall. To learn more about the Gulfport Energy Fund and past grantees, please visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Gulfport or call 740.753.1111. Please sign up for FAO’s e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on available grant opportunities, including the Gulfport Energy Fund.

About Gulfport Energy:

Gulfport Energy Corporation is an Oklahoma City-based independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company with its principal producing properties located in the Utica Shale of Eastern Ohio and along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. In addition, Gulfport holds a sizeable acreage position in the Alberta Oil Sands in Canada through its 25% interest in Grizzly Oil Sands ULC.

About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.

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