Allegheny Ridge Corporation Receives Award of Distinction
August 22, 2002

Allegheny Ridge Corporation (ARCorp) has been named recipient of the 2002 Blair County Business Hall of Fame Award of Distinction for Community Service. This particular award honors businesses and employees for outstanding community service not only in voluntary capacities, but generally contributing to the betterment of the community. ARCorp will receive the award at the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame Awards dinner in October.

"It is very rewarding, especially as a 501 (c) (3), to be recognized for our contributions to the community," noted Jane Sheffield, ARCorp executive director. "We are honored to be included in such a prestigious award program and excited about the opportunity to highlight our efforts in the community."

Allegheny Ridge Corporation was created to manage the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area, which was designated by the Commonwealth in 1992, in a cooperative program involving all levels of government and the private sector. "ARCorp has the ability to deliver tremendous resources to our community while employing a staff of three and sponsoring AmeriCorps members," states Sheffield. "Grassroots decision making and volunteer opportunities are vital in the success of our initiatives."

The Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area contains a multitude of historic, cultural, recreational, natural and scenic resources of state and national significance that collectively exemplify the industrial heritage of Pennsylvania. The Heritage Parks Program involves building and strengthening regional coalitions of community leaders, non-profit interest groups, the private sector, state agencies and the federal government. "We combine federal, state and private resources to build projects based upon a regional strategy for recreational and heritage tourism and economic development," Sheffield explains. In 2001 ARCorp has worked with over two dozen civic groups and organizations within its service area to exemplify that philosophy.

Community service is a common experience. Though few in number, ARCorp staff is very active. Whether serving as an officer, board member, committee chair, or volunteer, personal commitments of time have been given to over thirty civic organizations in and around Blair County. Additionally, ARCorp collaborates with several community service programs to provide service opportunities. "Cooperation and support are what build strong communities," stresses Claudia Montero Pequignot, ARCorp public relations director. "In 2001 our collaborative efforts generated over 3,700 hours of direct community service in Blair County".

ARCorp works with many invaluable partners to develop heritage-based recreation, environmental and quality of life infrastructure projects throughout the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area, which includes Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. ARCorp is in a position to educate and inform, to support and assist, to create and generate through a partnership with the communities it serves. These partnerships are determined to heal communities and land by addressing people and place, abuse and recovery, ignorance and education. In seeking opportunities to work with others to achieve positive outcomes, Allegheny Ridge Corporation encourages responsibility by allowing people to see them selves as leaders not followers, problem solvers, not problems.

"The Award of Distinction is a strong indication to our board and staff that we are fulfilling the mission of the organization," concludes Sheffield. As a 501 (c) (3) ARCorp is limited in making "outright contributions", however through state, federal and private solicitations ARCorp has granted substantial monies, over 1 million dollars in 2001, to a variety of entities in Blair County and has provided in-kind services to many Blair County organizations.
ARCorp is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to develop, interpret and restore the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area in central/western Pennsylvania.

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CONTACT:
Claudia Pequignot
814-940-1922