T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Encino Energy representatives and its vendors present a $10,000 check to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio on Tuesday outside the Puskarich Public Library in Cadiz. Pictured from left are Adam Dunlap, business development manager of Guttman Energy; Sandi Thompson, director of the library; Angela Anderson, senior director of advancement for the FFAO; Robert Reesman, northeast regional sales manager for B&L Pipeco Services; and Curt Kaelben, director of supply chain for Encino.

CADIZ — Encino Energy continues to support the local communities it works inmost recently with a recent donation of $20,000 to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation.

The company, accompanied by representatives from its vendors, presented checks to the two organizations — one at Tappan Lake Marina in Scio and the other at the Puskarich Public Library. Each of the foundations received a $10,000 donation.

At the second presentation at the library, Jackie Stewart, director of external affairs at Encino Energy; Curt Kaelben, director of supply chain for Encino; Robert Reesman, regional sales manager for B&L Pipeco Services; and Adam Dunlap, business development manager for Guttman Energy, presented a check to Angela Anderson, senior director of advancement for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.

Stewart said the money was raised through Encino’s first successful Vendor Appreciation Event, which was held to give thanks to the companies that work alongside Encino to produce natural gas and oil.

“We asked our vendors to sponsor tables and all the money that was raised was going right back to the communities in which we operate,” she said.

Stewart said they have partnered with the FFAO for many years now, helping to support the Cause Connector program. Last year, Encino provided the remaining funds needed to support the Deersville Community Theater through the Cause Connector platform.

“What’s cool about the foundation is that they have these Cause Connector programs that identify opportunities in different counties and then we as a company can put funds, like we’re doing today, and kind of bridge the gap,” Stewart said.

Reesman said it was great to support the local community “especially where Encino is operating” out of.

“It’s rewarding to see goodwill shared within the local communities near business operations. We are grateful to have participated in the inaugural vendor appreciation event and look forward to many more for years to come,” he said.

Anderson expressed her gratitude to Encino and its vendors for the generous donation.

“We are very grateful for our partners that embrace that and look for ways to make a difference in their communities because it’s (Cause Connector is) showing a variety of the needs,” she said.

Anderson spoke about the importance of the Cause Connector program and its ability to connect organizations and programs to residents and businesses willing to provide financial support. She said they help fund five pillars of prosperity — arts and culture, education, health and human services, environmental stewardship, and community and economic development.

“The idea is that vibrant, strong communities have infrastructure and support for all those five areas,” she said. “If there’s a particular area that’s near and dear to your heart, you can search across our footprint and see what opportunities are and look for a certain county. It’s a crowd-sourcing type thing to be able to reach beyond the normal reach of a community foundation, and that’s kind of the benefit of the foundation.”

Anderson said there are traditionally 90% more funding opportunities available outside Appalachian counties, which is what prompted the program.

“We wanted to close the gap so that the children, adults, and the communities of Appalachian Ohio can thrive in the same ways that some of the other areas of Ohio have,” she added.

Sandi Thompson, the director of the Puskarich Public Library and a board member of the FFAO’s Harrison County Community Foundation, said they are currently reviewing the applications to award funds to organizations in the county.

“It’s wonderful how the FFAO makes all this happen at the local level and works with all of us so we can make sure the needs of our community are met, and we’re aware of all the organizations that are really making a difference here. It’s great,” she said, adding that grant recipients will be announced later this month.

Encino was able to raise a total of $30,000 through the Vendor Appreciation Event, with the remaining $10,000 being donated to the Ohio State Parks Foundation.

“All three organizations (FFAO, MWCDF and OSPF) represent our company’s core values. We are really invested in our parks, getting people outside and quality of life. A lot of things are the core to sustainability for our company,” Stewart said.