POMEROY–The Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation celebrates 25 years of granting funds to local and area entities which benefit the betterment, growth and well-being of the community and citizens. During the past year, the foundation has awarded $405,737 which is; $81,771.39, more than the COVID-19 year of 2020.

Since 1996 the Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation has been granting money to various non-profit organizations in Garfield County. For the year 2020 the Foundation has given $323,965.61. Harold and Helen Shepherd were Garfield County residents who dearly loved this community and upon their passing had a foundation in place to award grants each year to assist various non-profit organizations.

Helen Morris Shepherd grew up Garfield County and was the daughter of W.B. Morris, an early county resident who owned the Pomeroy State Bank as well as several farms. Although both Helen and Harold attended Whitman College in Walla Walla they did not meet until later, when she went to law school in Seattle. They had no children and rather than have their money leave the community, they set up the endowment for its benefit.

Grant, scholarship and giving was presented to:

City of Pomeroy in the collective amount of $116,283: Pool passes $3,500; Guard chairs $2,500; Pool tarps $11,185; Weed eaters $680; Cemetery mower $7,654; Gravel for cemetery $4,000; Tennis court City Park $30,000; Pomeroy Swim Team $7,500’ “welcome to Pomeroy” sign east end of Pomeroy $45,264; and Bert Brady Memorial $4,000.

Garfield County totaling $17,085: Friends of 911 $1,000; Fairground’s sprinklers $10,000; Rodeo Booth $500; Groomer $1,200; 4-H Camp $1,200; Library $1,135; and Ag Museum tractor $500 and Harris tractor $2,500.

Garfield County Hospital District for $6,768 for a Panasonic freezer for the lab. The Senior Center for kitchen interior wall repair n the amount of $11,056. Garfield Round Table Senior meals received $15,000. The Pataha Flour Mill was awarded $31,000 for: three air conditioners $15,000; two hot buffet bars $7,000; and $9,000 for construction to widen stairs to upper floor.

The Pomeroy School District received funding of $67,725 for the following: Archery $4,850; STEAM program $450; Pig out on books $1,00; Elementary Art $3,460; Transitional Kindergarten Program $1,300; Elementary shoes for PE $215; Scoreboard display $6,500; Shepherd Field fencing $15,000; Weight room $10,000; Senior night-graduation $1,500; FCCLA State Convention $5,000; FFBLA Regional $5,000; FFA Convention $3,500; Elementary hallway light covers $2,000; and High School Library $5,000.

Food Bank received $5,500 for Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets. Blue Mountain Artisan Guild $5,000 for sponsor programs. Pomeroy Jr. Gun Club $3,000. Walla Walla Symphony support $4,000.

The Walla Walla Community College was awarded $30,000 for student scholarships. The Washington State University received $60,000 for Libraries $10,000; College of Medicine $30,000; and Student Scholarships $20,000.

Other awards were to Garfield County Vintage Fire Truck support for $2,000; Garfield County Christian Youth Group signage $320; and to the Pomeroy Community Center––Seeley Theatre plaster repair for $30,000.