Heritage Wind has announced three local organizations as awardees from the project’s community grant program. Launched in 2020, this program supports community organizations throughout Orleans County working to build healthy communities, support economic development, foster environmental sustainability, and promote education.
“We are proud to once again support the good work of the Orleans County community. With this round of funding, Heritage Wind has contributed over $85,000 to the greater Orleans County area” said Carmen O’Keefe, Senior Development Manager, Apex Clean Energy. “We are proud to join with so many dedicated local organizations to support the needs of the area.”
The latest grant recipients are: Orleans County Joint Veterans Council, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association (Western New York Chapter), Genesse-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming Counties Chapter NYSARC, and The Village of Medina Fire Department.
Orleans County Joint Veterans Council ($2,000) - "My thanks to the generosity and their grant application process of Heritage Wind we are able to upgrade our computer system and applications that will help us better schedule and record our drivers and vets to make sure they get to the medical appointments in a timely manner.” Said Owen Toale, veteran, and group volunteer, “Thank you Heritage Wind for this much needed grant.” The council provides no cost transportation to veterans from Orleans County to any VA directed medical appointments. Twenty-eight volunteers have logged over 5,500 hours and have driven close to 55,000 miles serving the veterans of Orleans County. The funding this organization received from this grant cycle will be used to purchase new computers and updated software to help scheduling for rides.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association ($2000) -Senior Director of Development Lynn Westcott states, “We are so grateful for the generous support Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Wind continues to give to the Alzheimer's Association Western New York Chapter.” This grant will provide funding to help the organization’s Orleans County’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This event raises funds for ongoing research and support services for families with a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming Counties Chapter NYSARC, Inc., also known as GLOW ARC ($6,300) - Arc GLOW (formerly Arcs of Livingston Wyoming and Genesee Orleans) is a parent- and family-driven not-for-profit organization that empowers and supports people of all ages with a broad spectrum of emotional, intellectual, and developmental disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and neurological conditions. “Arc GLOW is so incredibly thankful for the generosity of Heritage Wind in giving us a grant to purchase a set of steel doors with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mechanism at our East Academy Day Habilitation site in Albion,” said Lisa Bors, public relations director for Arc GLOW. “With this money, we will be able to ensure the safety of our individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that we serve. Additionally, we will now be able to fully utilize our entire space.”
The Village of Medina Fire Department ($600) – These funds will be used by the municipal department to purchase four pediatric stretcher restraint systems. This will ensure that each ambulance will have a 5-point harness available to help transport youth patients safely. In addition to providing services to the Village of Medina, they are the primary ambulance for the Towns of Shelby, Ridgeway, Yates, and Village of Lyndonville; through mutual aid agreements their ambulance responds throughout Orleans County, Northern Genesee County and Eastern Niagara County.
Counting this year’s recipients, Heritage Wind has awarded over $85,000 to community causes and non-profit organizations since the start of development. These grants are part of a larger community grant program by Apex Clean Energy. During 2023, Apex has contributed over $1 million to community groups across the country. Since 2017, over $ 4 million in funds have been awarded to local communities nationwide.
Heritage Wind is committed to being a strong community partner to local governments, area businesses, and non-profits working to improve people’s lives across the region. The community grant program will open an additional round of grant funding this spring. To learn more or apply for a future grant, visit www.heritagewindpower.com/grant.