Society gains grant
Through the combined efforts of two area lawmakers, the Greene County Humane Society recently received promising news from the state about its request for a change to its recent $20,000 grant. “Senator (J. Barry) Stout and I are extremely pleased that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recognized the unusual financial circumstances being faced by the Greene County Humane Society and acquiesced to our inquiry for a change in how the money is to be used,” said state Rep. H. William DeWeese (D-Waynesburg). “We were involved in constant dialogue between the organization and DCED in an effort to ensure that the financial obligations and guidelines will be met.”
The funding originally was to be used for crematory equipment, but since the time that the grant was requested, the organization’s priorities drastically changed and it was in danger of possibly closing, according to Jane Gapen, Humane Society executive director. The money now will be used for utilities, facility maintenance, kennel supplies and veterinary expenses.
“While the grant amount did not change, DCED normally does not allow the money to be used for a different purpose and they do not usually treat such changes lightly,” said Stout. “In cooperation with Humane Society officials, Representative DeWeese and I impressed upon DCED program staff why the change was necessary to the organization’s future in Greene County.”