The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has announced the establishment of the Ranger Relief Fund, created by a group of active and retired volunteers from the fire service across Chautauqua County.

For decades, the volunteers have gone above and beyond their emergency responder roles, stepping in to repair facilities, improve training sites, strengthen emergency service operations, and support fellow first responders in times of need.

In 2024, the group hosted a community fundraiser to bolster these efforts. Following its success, members decided it was time to create a dedicated endowment fund to ensure long-term stewardship and impact. By establishing the Ranger Relief Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, they ensured there is a sustainable resource to support first responders well into the future.

As many of the volunteers noted, establishing the Fund allows them to stay connected to the work and people who shaped their lives.

“The goal is simple,” said John Griffith, a long-time member of the volunteer fire service. “We want to make an impact on the people doing the work — the ones who show up every day to keep our communities safe.”

The Ranger Relief Fund also offers community members an opportunity to support local emergency service personnel in a meaningful, tax-efficient way. Individuals over 73 years of age may choose to direct their Required Minimum Distributions to the Fund, helping to fuel volunteer-driven projects and provide resources to those who protect and serve the region.

“This group represents the very best of what it means to serve,” said Liz Jones, community impact officer at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. “They’ve come together, across departments, generations, and roles, with the shared goal of supporting those who protect our communities. Their commitment is extraordinary, and this Fund ensures that their impact will continue for years to come.”

For more information about the Ranger Relief Fund, to make a gift, or to learn about maximizing your charitable impact, contact Tina Downey, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation development officer, at 716-661-3390 or tdowney@crcfonline.org.

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation administers more than 700 endowments in support of emerging community needs, charitable organizations and local students pursuing higher education.