HAGERSTOWN, MD (August 10, 2021) – The Washington County Gaming Commission announced its gaming fund distribution to the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, as well as 60 local charitable organizations.

 

The Gaming Fund total of $2,461,676.25 for fiscal year 2021, which ended June 30, represents an increase of $790,117.66 when compared to fiscal year 2020 revenues.

 

State law requires funds be divided equally between the Washington County Fire and Rescue Association and local charities, and in January the Washington County Fire and Rescue Association received $472,249.19. As of today, an additional $758,588.94 will be distributed, bringing the yearly total for Fire and Rescue to $1,230,838.13.

 

In May, the Washington County Gaming Commission received 75 separate applications from 63 charitable organizations requesting a total of $1,710,980.34. After a virtual gaming hearing in June, and a one-day workshop in July, the Commission was able to either partially or fully fund 68 of the 75 requests. Of the 75 applications received, 54 received full funding, 14 received partial funding, and 7 were denied funding. A total of $1,230,838.12 of 2021 gaming funds were allocated to 60 of the 63 charitable organizations applying. This year an additional $4,801.80 was distributed to charitable organizations, due to funds being returned from organizations unable to spend their prior-year gaming award funds within the one-year grant period. All gaming grant funds are required to be spent within one year of award, any unspent funds are returned to the fund for reallocation. Including these funds, a total of $1,235,639.92 was distributed to charitable organizations.

 

The Community Free Clinic received the largest award of $151,747.58 followed by R.E.A.C.H of Washington County receiving $100,000 and the Robert W. Johnson Center receiving $75,000.