NEWS 2025

March 24, 2025

MILFORD, PA – Six area nonprofits will receive grants through a pair of charitable funds at Greater Pike Community Foundation. The Barbara J. Buchanan Fund has awarded a total of $1,700 to five recipients: Serving Seniors, Upper Delaware GLBT Center, Grey Towers Heritage Association, Choosing Integrity, and the Pike County Historical Society. In addition, the Safe Haven Legacy Fund has awarded a grant to Pike County Human Services for its Safe Haven Legacy Housing Program, which provides critical support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by facilitating their relocation to safe and stable housing.

Established in 2014 as Greater Pike’s inaugural donor-sponsored fund, the Barbara J. Buchanan Fund has provided support to diverse organizations across human services, the arts, historic preservation, and civic improvement. Mrs. Buchanan, who died in 2018 at the age of 95, devoted herself to Pike County as a dedicated volunteer, generous patron, committed philanthropist, and tireless community activist, leaving an indelible mark on countless local agencies and programs.

“Barbara Buchanan was one of Pike County’s most cherished civic leaders, and her impact continues to resonate throughout our community,” said Rick Little, Greater Pike’s Executive Director. “Through these grants, we are honoring her extraordinary legacy of community service and perpetuating her vision of a stronger, more vibrant Pike County.”

Mrs. Buchanan joined Greater Pike’s board of directors in the foundation’s infancy, helping to guide the organization through its critical early years. She played an instrumental role in establishing the foundation’s credibility and educating the community about the important role a community foundation could serve. She graciously agreed to be the honoree at Greater Pike’s first annual gala, which established a precedent for honoring philanthropic leaders each year.

The 2025 Barbara J. Buchanan Fund recipients include:

• Serving Seniors will use its grant to support its Rural Guardianship Initiative, which expands access to full-time, trained, and certified guardianship services for cognitively impaired older adults. The program will recruit and train locally based case managers to provide these essential services in Pike County and other rural areas where they are desperately needed.
• Upper Delaware GLBT Center received funding for its Paddle for Pride program, a one-day event where LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies take a rafting trip on the Upper Delaware River to promote community and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The event includes interactive educational activities about LGBTQIA+ history, pride flags, river ecology, and paddling safety.
• Grey Towers Heritage Association was awarded a grant to providing safe public access for two upcoming events: Prom Night for Delaware Valley High School and the Festival of Wood. Barbara Buchanan helped establish GTHA in 1996. It has since been an essential partner with the U.S. Forest Service in planning and executing events for the public, while teaching about the Pinchot family’s legacy of conservation and community service.
• Choosing Integrity received funding for its Reentry Peer Support Project, designed to assist individuals newly released from the Pike County Correctional Facility. Certified Recovery Specialists with lived experience will provide guidance, encouragement, and essential resources to help these individuals reintegrate into the community and maintain their recovery.
• Pike County Historical Society will use its grant to help with the conservation care of two historical paintings: an oil painting depicting Sawkill Falls by the 19th-century Pennsylvania artist G.F. Bensell, and an oil painting by Ada Cecere of the Milford Rose, both of which represent significant historical value to Pike County.

“The projects selected this year truly embody Barbara Buchanan’s spirit of community engagement and her commitment to improving life in Pike County,” said Carol Witschel, Greater Pike’s Grants Chair. “Barbara believed in bringing people together for the common good, and each of these initiatives does exactly that—whether by supporting vulnerable seniors, celebrating diversity, preserving our cultural heritage, or helping those in need rebuild their lives. We’re proud that the Buchanan Fund, which has supported dozens of local organizations, continues to be a living testament to her philosophy of ‘For Good. Forever.’”

Online donations to the Barbara J. Buchanan Fund or the Safe Haven Legacy Fund can be made on our Funds page. Scroll down to the fund name for the link.

Greater Pike offers individuals, families, and local businesses an opportunity to provide a permanent and personal way to give back to the community. For more information about opening a fund or scholarship, or contributing to an existing fund, contact Rick Little, Executive Director, at (570) 832-4686, ricklittle@greaterpike.org, or visit www.greaterpike.org, Facebook.com/GreaterPike, or Instagram.com/GreaterPikeCF.