Coalport — Richard Snyder of Coalport is stepping down today from his post as Executive Director of the Glendale Education Foundation after nearly 20 years of service.

Snyder has been an all-volunteer non-profit organization since its inception in 2002.

“It’s about time,” Snyder said of his retirement from the Foundation.

However, he has admitted that he will miss volunteering with the organization.

“It was a labor of love,” Snyder said. “And it’s been a routine part of my life for almost 20 years,” Snyder said.

As Executive Director, Snyder managed the Foundation’s day-to-day operations, applied for grants, secured donations, and ran the Foundation’s annual golf tournament. Snyder said he plans to continue to help out occasionally at Foundation events.

Education Foundation board member Bill Morrison said Snyder has worked diligently to provide the best possible education for students in the Glendale School District since the Foundation’s inception.

“He was the heart of the educational foundation,” Morrison said. “He’s the best.”

Before retiring from teaching 11 years ago, Snyder was an art teacher in the Glendale School District. He said he was the district’s only art teacher for most of that time and would help find foundation sponsors, donations and volunteers from the district’s alumni…in his class.

The Foundation funds enhancement programs and scholarships for Glendale School District students.

The foundation provides scholarships to graduates three times a year and funds the Viking Achievements program. The Viking Achievements program rewards the highest performing student from grade 7 through her grade 9 with monetary awards including awards for highest her GPA, most improved student, and most community service hours. give The Foundation also sponsors the Academic Letter Program.

The Foundation also funds academic enrichment programs for students and teachers, including field trips and educational speakers and programs. For example, the foundation recently funded a Shakespeare theater company out of Philadelphia to come to schools and perform acts for students, offering acting workshops.

“We try to influence children on all levels,” Snyder said of the Education Foundation.

Snyder said the organization’s expertise in setting up and managing scholarships makes the Education Foundation a repository of scholarships for 25 other organizations and individuals, totaling about $60,000.

He said the Glendale Education Foundation has three main sources of income, including popular golf tournaments and wine festivals.

“Both are very fun and well run events,” Snyder said.

The third main source of income is the teacher’s annual deduction. This program allows district teachers to donate a portion of their salary to the foundation. The district’s teachers are very generous, Snyder said, and the program raises about $5,600 a year.

Mr. Snyder said he will retire from the Foundation but will continue as curator of the Coalport Historical Society. Now that the coronavirus pandemic is over, he wants to spend more time traveling with his wife, Lori.

Snyder says it’s important to try to make a positive impact on the world, and he hopes he’s been able to do that through his work with the Foundation.

He thanked all of the foundation’s directors with whom he had worked with over the years.

“They have all been very helpful in giving back to their communities over the years through their children,” Snyder said.

Those wishing to contribute to the Educational Foundation may pay a check to the Glendale Education Foundation, 1466 Beaver Valley Rd., Flinton PA 16640; Or online at PayPal.me/GSDFoundation. All donations are tax deductible.