WEST UNION, W.Va. — Antero Resources will donate $20,000 to four school systems in West Virginia to help fund high school athletics.
Kevin Ellis, Antero’s VP of Government Relations, said it was Antero’s employees who made this donation possible.
“Our employees told us that, ‘We want the company we work for to support our kids and the activities that they pursue,'” Ellis said. “The athletic programs certainly made a great place for us to land.”
The money will go to schools in Harrison County, Doddridge County, Tyler County, and Ritchie County. Ellis said the employees at Antero felt like it was an investment in their own communities.
“Our employees, including myself, all work and live here,” he said. “We have children in school in these counties. We wanted to make sure we were doing things that were both important to our employees and the community.”
Ellis said high school sports can offer students valuable lessons for students, simultaneously building character.
“We see a lot of value in some of the core concepts: teamwork, dedication, healthy living,” he said. “These are all things that are lessons and experiences that the kids can take with them as they go forward in life.”
Harrison County superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin agreed that school sports play an invaluable role in communities in Harrison County.
“Many of our students actively participate in any number of our athletic offerings that teach students the value of teamwork while helping foster a sense of community and school pride,” he said. “Maintaining a strong athletics program at all five of our high schools is important to our district and the community we serve, and Antero’s generous donation will help ensure that we can continue to offer, and improve, these important programs.”