EMMAUS, Pa. — When he became a ward councilman in 2019, John Hart found significant limitations in what local governments could do to pursue desirable projects.
“Boroughs are not permitted by law to solicit donations for desirable projects outside of their tax budgets,” Hart said.
So he began talking with Councillors Chris DeFrain and Chad Balliett to explore ways they could do more for the community outside of local government.
Now Hart is heading up a new nonprofit group that brings together some familiar faces from Emmaus' political and business communities and aims to fund ambitious goals that local government alone can't achieve.
Emmaus Community Foundation was established and incorporated in 2022. Since then, we have been raising support and working to obtain 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
According to its website, the organization aims to “connect committed donors with meaningful local causes that invest in Emmaus' future.”
Members include business leaders such as Dustin Grimm of Shantz Funeral Homes and attorney Janie Slamon, as well as current and former council members including DeFrain, Balliett and Hart.
Emmaus Community Foundation
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Borough President Shane Pepe, who serves as a non-voting ex-officio commissioner, helped get the effort off the ground.
A complete list of board members can be found on the Emmaus Community Foundation website.
Hart, who serves as board president and chairman, said the group's first goal is to bring to fruition a comprehensive plan for updating and renovating the town's parks.
He said it's frustrating not being able to solicit donations for the effort, but setting up an outside foundation could be a workaround for future projects that don't fit into the borough's budget.
Desired fundraising grants are posted on the Foundation’s projects page and include preservation work on historic buildings and arts projects in the borough.
Hart, a former senior vice president of operations for Lehigh Valley Health Network, said some of the donations are set aside for general use and the rest are earmarked for specific purposes. Donations can be made through the nonprofit's website.
Jay Bradley
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Lehigh Valley News
Currently, the only completed project listed on the website is the fundraising of $4,600 for new furniture for the borough's recently renovated fire and paramedic central station.
“We know there are significant costs associated with road construction, sewer systems and the water issues we're experiencing in the area.”
Chris DeFrain
“I know there are significant costs involved with road construction, sewer systems, the water issues that are occurring in this area,” said DeFrain, a former city councilman.
“Being realistic, we know that without private residents and businesses stepping up and being passionate about what's going on in Emmaus, we're not going to get the funding to do all this.”
Defran noted that all of the “nice, cool ideas” in the park plan might not be implemented if funding was based solely on budgets.
“Our first focus will be on parks because there's already been a lot of work done behind the scenes on that.”
Major donors already listed for the nonprofit include Comcast, Shantz Funeral Homes and Kappe Associates.
“I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to each and every one of you sitting here who took the time to be here and give your time and resources to this project,” said City Councilman Roy Anders.
“It's so gratifying that you feel so strongly about the community. Thank you so much for your time, energy and dedication.”
