Hempfield moves forward with creation of 2 nonprofit organizations

Two nonprofit organizations are being created to benefit Hempfield parks and the township’s fire department.

Supervisors began the process of creating Friends of Hempfield Parks and the Hempfield Township Fire Relief Organization by voting this week to draw up organizational documents.

Friends of Hempfield Parks originally was proposed in January by Aaron Siko, director of parks and recreation. The idea for the organization, which would be comprised of township residents, is to raise money for new and ongoing projects as well as special events like the annual concert series at Hempfield Park.

“It would give us the opportunity to get more community buy-in,” Siko said at the time. “We need those families, those individuals, that are interested in recreation leisure services to get more involved with our department — with community recreation as a whole — and this is one way to do that.”

The organization is mirrored after Westmoreland County’s citizens advisory board, which is made up of 19 volunteers who advise on growth and development for the parks and recreation programs.

The Hempfield Township Fire Relief Organization would assist with funding for the township’s fire department, acting as a charitable wing that supports the fire service. Township Solicitor Scott Avolio said the organization will be able to solicit and receive gifts and contributions.

Before either organization is up and running, the documents, along with bylaws, will be presented to the board for a final vote, township Manager Jason Winters said.

Supervisor Rob Ritson was not present at Monday’s meeting.