BRIDGEPORT, WV (WVDN) — Gov. Jim Justice visited the Antero Resources offices, where the GameChanger Prevention Education Program received a $60,000 donation from the Antero Foundation.
This contribution will go directly toward funding the GameChanger program in schools across Doddridge, Harrison, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties.
GameChanger is making significant educational strides, with implementation already underway in 11 schools in Harrison County, three in Ritchie County, and one in Doddridge County.
Maribeth Anderson, the Director of Government Relations for Antero, had the honor of presenting the funds to Gov. Justice and the GameChange Prevent Education Program.
Antero Public Affairs Coordinator/Antero Foundation Grants Coordinator Stephanie Iaquinta, Doddridge County Superintendent Adam Cheeseman, Harrison County Superintendent Dora Stutler, Ritchie County Superintendent April Haught, GameChanger Founder and Executive Director Joe Boczek and Larry Puccio, Chairman of the Board for GameChanger, were also in attendance.
“Antero’s commitment to GameChanger is a shining example of the generosity uplifting our state’s youth,” Gov. Justice said. “Their contribution is deeply appreciated and a beacon of hope for our education system. With their support, I am confident that GameChanger will continue to make a profound and positive impact across West Virginia.”
“The Antero Foundation, the private charitable foundation of Antero Resources and Antero Midstream, is proud of its affiliation as a partner of GameChanger by being able to provide financial support that benefits West Virginia students in grades K-12,” Kevin Ellis, Antero Regional Senior Vice President, said. “By engaging with students on substance abuse awareness, these early and critical investments will have important impacts on the health and well-being of families in the areas where Antero operates and where its employees live and work.”
“GameChanger is working. Just recently, a principal informed me that last year, their drawer was overflowing with confiscated vapes, Boczek said. “This year? Only five vapes are in that same drawer.”
“I can’t thank Gov. Justice enough for his support of GameChanger and Antero’s generosity, which certainly speaks volumes for the kind of community partner it is,” Stutler said. “We have seven GameChanger schools in Harrison County, thanks partly to Antero, and hope to be adding more for the 2024-2025 school year.”
“I know we can’t thank Gov. Justice or Antero enough,” Haught said. “We are raising kids in very challenging times, and a program like GameChanger that stresses the importance of prevention is certainly a great tool.”
“Doddridge County is very pleased to be a GameChanger school,” Cheeseman said. ”We owe a debt to Gov. Justice for his continued support of such a needed program, and certainly, a heartfelt thank you to Antero for the support that helps make the program financially feasible.”
“I do this as a volunteer because I genuinely believe in it,” Puccio said. “I believe we are helping save the lives of our youth, and if GameChanger is responsible for saving just one life, we should consider it a success.”
GameChanger is in more than 50 schools in 18 West Virginia counties and is a youth-led, positive community enhancement initiative, with programming designed in conjunction with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation to educate, support, and empower young West Virginians to live healthy, drug-free lifestyles while becoming our leaders of tomorrow.
