a debt of gratitude to other heroes in the tragedy , including :
• Bashioum ’ s partner , Officer James Saieva , who was wounded in the ambush and is recovering after surgery
• Canonsburg Officer Donald Cross , who risked his life to save Bashioum and Saieva while under gunfire
• Officer John Holt and Sgt . Matt Collins of the Cecil Township and Peters Township police departments , respectively , who displayed incredible bravery during the events of Nov . 10 .
“ In the wake of this tragedy , we must find ways to heal — but never to forget ,” said Neuman , who has submitted documents that would dedicate the Route 980 bridge in Bashioum ’ s honor . “ The sadness that will never end must not deter us from providing greater protections for police and domestic violence victims .”
“ The community continues to grieve over the loss of Scott ,” Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome said . “ Naming this bridge after him will help preserve his memory .”
“ It is important for the recovery of this community and the Canonsburg Police Department to memorialize Officer Bashioum for his selfless and heroic action , in laying down his life by sustaining a nonsurvivable wound while still returning accurate fire at the suspect with a high probability that he saved wounded Officer Saieva ’ s life ,” Coghill said .
“ Scott Bashioum was a dedicated member of our police force and each day dedicated himself to protect our residents ,” said state Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay , noting that Bashioum served with the Slovan Fire Department . “ He made the ultimate sacrifice .”
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page , Bashioum is the 122nd line-of-duty death this year in the United States and the third officer killed in Pennsylvania this year .
WALMART AWARDS $ 50,000 TO HELP SUPPORT NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION
The Walmart Foundation announced $ 50,000 in funding to help fight hunger and support nutritional education in Washington County . The grant will support the Greater Washington County Food Bank ’ s Health and Wellness Training Center , where nutritional education programs and cooking classes will be offered free of charge to county residents .
“ The Greater Washington County Food Bank is a community pillar , providing muchneeded meals to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community ,” said Walmart ’ s Pittsburgh-area Market Manager Karen Kallam . “ By helping local families learn how to cook with nutritious ingredients — in some cases introducing them to fruits and vegetables to which they may have never had access before — the organization is also helping families make sustainable changes to improve the health and habits of future generations .”
This grant will help support the food bank in purchasing kitchen equipment and supplies , and hiring a director to manage the Health and Wellness Training Center . Once the Health and Wellness Training Center is fully operational , Washington County residents who receive food and services from the GWCFB will be able to enroll in classes .
The Health and Wellness Training Center is expected to open in the coming months , with classroom trainings beginning in November of this year and cooking classes beginning in January of 2017 . Individuals interested in enrolling in these classes and programs should contact the GWCFB directly to sign up . The Health and Wellness Training Center will feature two residential-style kitchens and a classroom . Participants will be instructed on how to make better use of products that are normally distributed by GWCFB ’ s food pantry . Additionally , the cooking classes will also teach residents to grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables , care for a garden , and how to can , preserve , and store food properly . The GWCFB provided meals to more than 63,000 Washington County residents last year .
“ The Greater Washington County Food Bank is extremely grateful to the Walmart Foundation for their support in our endeavor to teach county residents about nutrition . GWCFB ’ s mission is to add to and extend the services we offer at our facility past the daily provision of food . We want to live by the ancient proverb : Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day ; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime . If we can help those we serve by not only providing them with the food they need , but teaching them how to make heathy meals out of the food they receive from us , then we are truly serving the needs of our community ,” said Connie S . Burd , Executive Director at the Greater Washington County Food Bank . n
Canon-Mac | Winter 2016 | icmags . com 9