David O'Connell Memorial Fund

01/17/2026

Five years have passed so quickly. You are still missed David.
And four years tomorrow for you Jr. We miss you too.

05/13/2025

On Thursday last week Kyle Klimek was awarded the 2025 David O'Connell Memorial Scholarship.

Kyle is graduating from Bellefonte Area High School and is a Junior Firefighter with Undine Fire Company for the past two years.

Kyle will attend CPI and plans to work in the trades after.

Congratulations Kyle.

03/03/2025

Applications are open for the 2025 David O'Connell Memorial Scholarship. It is open to seniors that are also first responders in the companies below. You can find the application at https://www.davidoconnellmemorialfund.com/scholarship-information. They are due March 28th.

Boalsburg Fire Company
Centre Hall Volunteer Fire Company
Alpha Fire Company
Snow Shoe Volunteer Fire
Gregg Township Fire Company
Pleasant Gap Fire Pleasant Gap Fire Company
Citizens Hook & Ladder Co.1 of Milesburg , Pa
Philipsburg Fire Department
Mountain Top Fire Company
Howard Fire Company
Port Matilda Fire Co. 15
Walker Township Fire Company
Pine Glen Fire Company
Millheim Fire Company #1
Miles Township Fire Company
Moshannon Valley EMS
Centre Lifelink EMS- Main Station
Bellefonte EMS
Port Matilda EMS
Penns Valley EMS - Station 28
Penns Valley EMS Junior Program
Snow Shoe EMS
Morris Township Volunteer Fire Company #1
Chester Hill Hose Company
Columbia Volunteer Fire Company
Warriors Mark Franklin Volunteer Fire Company
Belleville Fire Co.
Bald Eagle Volunteer Fire Company
Clearfield Fire Dept.
Grassflat Volunteer Fire Company
Neptune Fire Company
Logan Fire Company No. 1 Bellefonte
Undine Fire Company

The criteria and elible first responder organizations are included on this page. Scholarships are awarded based on a multipoint system.

01/18/2025

Three years ago you followed Dave down a road no one wanted either of you to walk. You are missed and loved Jr.

01/17/2025

Hard to believe we lost you 4 years ago today. The love and kindness you gave to this world has not been forgotten.

Please, if you read this post, take the time to talk with others about mental illness and su***de. The only way we can prevent losses like Dave and Jr's is to bring these subjects to light.

09/06/2024

September is Su***de Awareness and Prevention Month. Please talk with friends and family about mental health and su***de. We can end the stigma and save lives - we just need to talk.

07/20/2024

So happy to see scouts and leaders learning about mental health.

07/10/2024

JVC placed the new permanent signage on the building this summer.

05/17/2024

Today at the Central PA Community Foundation's annual luncheon, Rebecca Burns, a Senior at Bellefonte Area High School and Junior Member of the Pleasant Gap Fire Company, was awarded the David O'Connell Memorial Scholarship for 2024.

It was very nice meeting her and her parents. She is a 3rd generation fire fighter (if I remember correctly.)

Congrats Rebecca!!

02/18/2024

Applications are being taken for the 2024 David O'Connell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is open to Seniors that are also first responders in the local companies below. The application can be found at https://www.davidoconnellmemorialfund.com/scholarship-information and is due by March 22nd.

Logan Fire Company No. 1 Bellefonte
Undine Fire Company
Boalsburg Fire Company
Centre Hall Volunteer Fire Company
Alpha Fire Company
Snow Shoe Volunteer Fire
Gregg Township Fire Company
Pleasant Gap Fire Company
Citizens Hook & Ladder Co.1 of Milesburg , Pa
Philipsburg Fire Department
Mountain Top Fire Company
Howard Fire Company
Port Matilda Fire Co. 15
Walker Township Fire Company
Pine Glen Fire Company
Millheim Fire Company #1
Miles Township Fire Company
Moshannon Valley EMS
Centre Lifelink EMS- Main Station
Bellefonte EMS
Port Matilda EMS
Penns Valley EMS - Station 28
Penns Valley EMS Junior Program
Snow Shoe EMS
Morris Township Volunteer Fire Company #1
Chester Hill Hose Company
Columbia Volunteer Fire Company
Warriors Mark Franklin Volunteer Fire Company
Belleville Fire Co.
Bald Eagle Volunteer Fire Company
Clearfield Fire Dept.
Grassflat Volunteer Fire Company
Neptune Fire Company

The criteria and elible first responder organizations are included on this page. Scholarships are awarded based on a multipoint system.

01/17/2024

It's hard to believe that 3 years have passed since you took your life. You are missed every damn day Dave.

Please talk with friends, family, and strangers about mental illness and su***de. Let's end the stigma around talking and getting help.

Visit www.davidoconnellmemorialfund.com to learn about Dave and his legacy.

11/18/2023