When volunteer firefighters pull on a new pair of fireproof, steel-toe boots, they’re stepping into more than just protective gear — they’re stepping into a legacy of service that runs deep in small-town West Virginia.
The Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) recently received an $11,000 grant to replace firefighting boots, some of which were more than 20 years old. This grant was made possible through funds held and managed by the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF), including the Ritchie County Grantmaking Fund, the Walter E. and Marie Ausenheimer Memorial Fund, and the Bruce and Judy Holmes Advised Fund. The funding was distributed locally through the Spring 2025 Community Action Grant Cycle by the Ritchie County Community Foundation (RCCF), PACF’s regional affiliate dedicated to supporting Ritchie County.
“New boots may seem like a small thing, but they mean a lot to us,” said Craig Mullen, a Harrisville VFD volunteer who has served for 25 years. “They improve our safety and comfort and remind us every day that our community supports the work we do.”
Craig’s connection to the department runs through generations. His late father, Bruce Mullen, served Harrisville VFD for 47 years, and Craig’s son, Anthony, is already looking forward to stepping into the family’s tradition of service when he’s old enough.
The Mullen family is one of several multi-generational families volunteering with the Harrisville VFD, a group of dedicated civic leaders who not only fight fires but also respond to varying emergencies across Ritchie County and neighboring Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Pleasants, Wirt, and Wood Counties.
Since 1999, generous neighbors have invested in the future of Ritchie County by supporting permanent charitable funds like the Ritchie County Grantmaking Fund. These thoughtful investments enable the foundation to respond to vital community needs — like ensuring first responders have the equipment they need to serve safely and effectively.
The Ritchie County Community Foundation (RCCF) partners with generous individuals, families, and businesses to build lasting philanthropic resources that strengthen the region. As an affiliate of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, a single 501(c)(3) public charity managing more than 500 funds valued at nearly $96 million, the RCCF offers donors flexible options to support the causes they care about most. Whether through current gifts or planned giving, donors can create funds that support nonprofits, churches, and community initiatives for generations to come.
To learn more about the Ritchie County Community Foundation or how you can make a lasting difference in your community, visit www.pacfwv.com/rccf or call 304-428-4438.
Pictured are Fire Chief Bub Hardbarger, Aaron Parsons, Craig Mullen, Anthony Mullen, Matthew Cox, Ed Cox, and Keith Dobyns, standing ready and equipped with their new boots.
