Scholarship at ECCF honors the memory of Hailey Matheson

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Hailey Mae Matheson of Ridgway will be remembered in a special way through the Hailey Matheson Memorial Scholarship Fund established at the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) by her parents, Chris and Ali Matheson. Hailey passed away in 2020 at the young age of eight, surrounded by her loving family at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Hailey was a second grader at Francis Grandinetti Elementary School. She was a Girl Scout who also enjoyed horseback riding. She could often be found singing and dancing and touched the lives of anyone she met. With a smile that could light up a room, Hailey was a kind, sweet child who will be remembered for her ability to make anyone’s day brighter. Hailey’s contagious smile and laughter were unforgettable to anyone that knew her and she had the carefree ability to find adventure in the ordinary. A beacon of hope and life will continue to shine, as Hailey gave the gift of life in her final days by being an organ donor.

The Hailey Matheson Memorial Scholarship will award $250 to a graduating senior from any Elk County high school who is a permanent resident in Elk County. The student must be pursuing a post-secondary education, a certificate, or a 2 or 4-year degree. Donations to help build the fund are always welcome. To make a donation go to the Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org and click on the “Donate Now” button, or call the Foundation.

The Community Foundation is one of 40 statewide partners with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education). Students who receive a scholarship award from the Community Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program if they attend a PA school. In 2022, 58 students received a total of nearly $75,000 in matching funds through ECCF.

The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by working with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.