HARRISBURG – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Representatives Rick Mirabito (D- Lycoming), Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) and Tina Pickett (R-Bradford) today joined XTO Energy officials, school officials from St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School, Watsontown Christian School, Epiphany Elementary School, St. Agnes Elementary School, Greenwood Friends School and Hillside Christian School, as the Bridge Educational Foundation donated $80,000 in scholarship money to the “Families of Lycoming County.”
The Bridge Educational Foundation is one of the largest and most innovative nonprofit scholarship organizations providing scholarship opportunities to Pennsylvania families. The Foundation’s mission is to provide companies with the ability to grant scholarships to children under the provisions of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. They partner families and schools with businesses and philanthropic leaders to provide scholarships that allow children to attend the school that best meets their educational needs.
“Today’s donation represents the true success not only of the Bridge Educational Foundation, but of the EITC program as well,” said Senator Gene Yaw. “It is a solid public-private partnership that strengthens educational programs and expands academic opportunities for our children throughout our state.”
The legislators praised XTO Energy, whose involvement with the Foundation and contributions to the EITC program made today’s scholarship donation possible.
The EITC program provides companies with a 75 percent tax credit, 90 percent for a two-year commitment, for funds donated to approved, non-profit scholarship or educational improvement organizations.
“XTO Energy is to be commended for the contributions they are making toward educational opportunities and improvement in our region,” added Senator Yaw. “They make it possible for our children to reach their academic potential.”
Since 2001 more than $570 million has been donated by the business community through the EITC program.
For more information on the Bridge Educational Foundation, visit their website at www.bridgeedu.org.
Contact: Rita Zielonis
(717) 787-3280