Kurt Maytum, representing the Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Scholarship Committee recently announced a scholarship award from the Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Fund held at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. Matthew Rhinehart was awarded the $500 scholarship on July 8, 2011.

Rhinehart, son of David and Darcy Rhinehart, is a 2011 graduate of Frewsburg High School.

He is attending Jamestown Community College with plans to continue on to Hilbert College in Hamburg, New York to pursue a degree in law enforcement.

In the essay which accompanied his application to the scholarship, Rhinehart stated, “I want to be able to become a Police Officer for the state and eventually be able to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation and do it on a national level. Not only do I want to help my community, I want to be able to keep innocent victims safe from violence and help serve justice to those who infringe the rights of others guaranteed under the United States Constitution.”

While attending high school, Rhinehart volunteered for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, cleared snow for his disabled neighbor, mow grass for vacationing neighbors and various school activities. He was a member of the LEO Club and the National Honor Society of Frewsburg High School.

The Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Fund was established at the NCCF in the fall of 2001. The central purpose is to provide support to the families of county heroes – firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and other local uniformed heroes – who have been killed or critically debilitated in the line of duty. To support and encourage those who are interested in careers in public safety, scholarships from this fund are awarded on an occasional basis. Applicants must be pursuing a career in law enforcement, firefighting or emergency medical services.

The NCCF was incorporated in 1986 as a tax-exempt charitable organization. Since its establishment, the NCCF has distributed more than $8.3 million in the community through its various grant programs. It is an organization inherently committed to enriching the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 366-4892.