Summer is right around the corner and with it the sense of community we get at picnics and other such gatherings. The natural gas industry is no exception to this and has already started out the season in the spirit of giving by participating in activities held in the communities their employees call home. If this past month is any indicator, it’s going to be a great summer in the Northern Tier.

Cabot and Williams Give Big for the New Montrose Hospital

Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation has essentially become part of the community in northeastern Pennsylvania.  Communities are, ideally, places people take care of each other and that is exactly what Cabot Oil and Gas continues to do on a regular basis.

One example of this community spirit can be seen on the Well Said Cabot Community Blog:

“In January, Endless Mountains Health Systems broke ground on a much-needed 25-bed hospital. Cabot stepped in when we heard that the Hospital was looking to build a Physicians Clinic to supplement the hospital and to further aid the community.”

Cabot has pledged $3 Million to help fund this project and, with the assistance from Cabot, the overall project has reached 70 percent of its goal so far.

Cabot’s early investment created the spark that has brought other companies and organizations to donate including the Harry and Janette Weinberg Foundation and Williams Energy.  Williams’ donation of $100,000 will also go a long way to help this project reach full funding.

“While we are really late comers to this project, we are glad to be involved,” Helen Humphreys of Williams Energy, said. “We admire the perseverance to get this project to the point it needs.”

Check from Williams Being Accepted

Its always good to see companies giving back to communities and we look forward to seeing additional contributions in the future. For Cabot’s part, you can see their involvement on their Community Blog.

Wyoming County Block Party Brings Businesses Together

In addition, earlier this month companies ranging from wineries to those in the natural gas industry came together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce. The message of the night: business is booming in Wyoming County thanks in large part to the natural gas industry.

In the below video Jerry Dugas speaks on behalf of Cabot Oil and Gas and other natural gas sponsors includingChesapeake Energy, Chief Oil and Gas, Carrizo LLC, and Williams.

The event was held at the new Comfort Inn and Suites in Tunkhannock. Here’s Art Sherman, co-owner, discussing the new hotel.

This picture is of local natural gas employees from Williamsport staying at the hotel as they work in the area.

And here’s some pictures of some of the sponsors. More good news to follow.

Chesapeake sponsored the band, photo booth, hors d’ourves, and beverages.

Chief representatives with their landowner, Wayne Weaver. Chief sponsored the “Par-Tay”.

Williams sponsored the shuttle service and hors d’ourves.

For more pictures of this event, please visit our Facebook page. Also for those seeking employment, the WCCC will be holding a natural gas expo and jobs fair this Friday, June 1, at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds from 10am-4pm.

Rib Fest and Chocolate & Wine Festival Give Back

Cabot’s Team for Rib Fest

Over 3,000 people came out this year for the annual Montrose Rib Fest and the Chocolate & Wine Festival. The event began with about 10 teams competing for the title of best ribs. Among the competing teams was Cabot Oil and Gas, Chesapeake Energy and Williams. The Endless Mountain Hospital System won the contest and donated their $700 reward back to their physicians clinic fund.  This was matched by Cabot resulting in an additional $1,400 donation to their new hospital fund.

After the Rib Fest competition visitors had the opportunity to sample wines from 11 local wineries as well as try every type of chocolate they could imagine.

The event was staffed by volunteers and as a result all of the proceeds were able to be provided to charity.  Those proceeds were split between the Susquehanna County Library and the new Endless Mountains Health System hospital. At the end of the day the event raised $20,000 for the two organizations. Not a bad donation for a day of ribs, wine and chocolate.

If you missed the event don’t worry, it will be back next year just make sure you stay updated with the Chocolate Wine Festival for more information.

Magna-Solutions Hits the Waves to Raise Money

Magna-Solutions recently celebrated their one year anniversary by holding a charity event on the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat to raise money for the Lycoming County YMCA and canned goods for the Food Bank at St. Anthony’s Church. The event was sponsored by several companies, including A Touch of Tranquility, Liaz Hair Salon & Spa, The Bridge Tavern, Bulwark, Lapco, Lakeland Apparel, ORR Safety, Neese Industries, Nasco Inc, and Pyramex.

So far the event has raised $1500 and a nice assortment of canned items.  The best part however is that donations are still coming in! Check out these pictures of our beautiful trip down the Susquehanna River.

Chief Oil and Gas Helping Students in Lycoming to “Dream Big”

Chief Oil and Gas also made a generous donation to the James V. Brown Library’s Dream Big Summer Reading Program. According to the executive director of the program, Chief’s $2,500 donation “will touch over 1,000 lives from birth to adult” and help the bookmobile “to visit hundreds of children where they live and play.”

Your gift will help return children to school ready to learn, and transform lives here in Lycoming County. -Barbara McGary

We’re off to a great start of the season with more excitement to come as we move into June. The natural gas industry has always placed high importance on being involved in the communities it operates in, but as more local workers have been hired, these endeavors seem to have increased as well and taken on new meaning. Here’s to maintaining the trend throughout 2012!