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Rotary celebrates creation of Randolph Community fund

The Inter-Mountain photo by Beth Henry-Vance Members of the Rotary Club of Elkins gather Monday at the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA to celebrate the creation of the Randolph Community Fund. David Cooper, far left in front, president of the Tucker Community Foundation’s executive committee, is shown here with Rotary members. Robert Burns, TCF executive director, is shown in the back row, second from left

The Inter-Mountain photo by Beth Henry-Vance Members of the Rotary Club of Elkins gather Monday at the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA to celebrate the creation of the Randolph Community Fund. David Cooper, far left in front, president of the Tucker Community Foundation's executive committee, is shown here with Rotary members. Robert Burns, TCF executive director, is shown in the back row, second from left

ELKINS — Rotary Club of Elkins members celebrated the creation of a new community fund Monday that will benefit any number of Randolph County charities, groups or needs.

The Randolph Community Fund is a permanent endowment that will provide unrestricted grant funds for Randolph County. It was created with donations from Rotary Club members after a challenge by the Tucker Community Foundation, said Christy Tribble, past president of the Rotary Club of Elkins.

“They came a few months ago and did a challenge to our club to raise $5,000. We did that, and the Tucker Community Foundation matched it — so now we have over $10,000 in the fund. That’s awesome,” Tribble said during Monday’s regular weekly meeting at the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA.

Rotary members who donated funds themselves, as well as members who sought donations from others, were able to raise $5,000 in just the past few months.

Now, they are creating a club committee to get organized and spread the word about the Randolph Community Fund.

Robert Burns, TCF executive director, and Diane Hinkle, development director of TCF, met with Rotary members Monday to answer their questions as they get the fund started.

TCF reaches eight counties and manages 117 endowments, Hinkle said. The agency strives to keep administrative costs low and maximizes the rate of return.

She said the Randolph Community Fund will continue to grow throughout this year and into the future, both through new donations and through investments. The fund will create grants to the community starting next year, based on 5 percent of the fund’s balance.

“It may grow a lot in the first year or it might be a bit of a struggle for a few years,” Hinkle said, noting many people are unaware of how endowments work. “There is a learning curve.”

She said anyone can make a donation in any amount — all donations are valuable and help their local community in so many ways.

“I think it’s whatever you’re comfortable with,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s $5 or $5,000.”

She noted donors can make contributions in honor of or in memory of loved ones. Donors also can make a donation from their estate, either to an existing fund or to create their own endowment.

“There’s a number of options available,” Hinkle said. “It’s a great legacy to leave behind.”

Burns said unrestricted community funds are exciting because they can help in so many ways.

“It could be used for schools and educational needs one year, and it could help build a park or help recreational needs another year,” Burns said. “Then maybe the next year it could help a food bank.”

He said an advisory board will be set up to decide the grant recipients, and the grant cycle takes place each year in the fall. Information about TCF is available online at www.tuckerfoundation.net.

• Rotary Club of Elkins members also heard Monday from interim Elkins Police Chief J.C. Raffety, who shared how excited he is to return to law enforcement and help guide the city’s officers.

Raffety has extensive law enforcement experience, serving with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 30 years. He also served as chief of police in Buckhannon from March 2000 to December 2001, and was a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Service from March 2002 to January 2010.

In addition, Raffety recently completed a six-year term on the Upshur County Commission. His term expired in December and he did not seek re-election.

He told Rotary members Monday that he was looking forward to retiring again, but when he received a call asking him to serve as interim chief of police, he couldn’t refuse.

Raffety said he hadn’t realized how much he missed law enforcement, and he is committed to strengthening community policing efforts and increasing training opportunities for officers.

He said officers are making more random foot patrols as well as leaving “door hanger” notices on businesses.

“That should give you peace of mind that we are out there 24 hours a day,” he said.

Raffety said he is very proud of the officers, noting they truly work hard every day as they make drug arrests and try to make the community safe for everyone.

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