MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg men's basketball assistant coach Anthony Morgan recently helped secure a $5,000 grant from Enterprise Holdings for the Middletown Youth Club. The funds are helping support youth football and cheerleading this season.
In November 2020, Enterprise Holdings launched its ROAD Forward initiative; an undertaking set to donate $55 million over five years to organizations that advance social and racial equity in the communities in which it operates. The initiative aims to focus on Respect, Opportunity, Achievement, and Diversity (ROAD) for youth and families by addressing three social and racial equity gaps in need of urgent attention: early childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college preparation. As an Enterprise Holdings employee, Morgan took advantage of his company's philanthropic endeavor.
"I believe in not expecting a hand out but receiving a hand up so my goal is to always be able to be that hand up for others," said Morgan. "One of our core values at Enterprise is strengthening our communities one neighborhood at a time. While most companies say this, Enterprise does it. No matter what it may be, Enterprise tries to be a pillar in providing a hand up to people within our communities. It feels good to be employed by a company that operates in that manner."
Morgan explained that while researching local organizations that qualified, Penn State Harrisburg men's basketball head coach Don Friday helped identify Middletown Youth Club as a group that assists youth health and wellness for the local Middletown community.
"We are very proud of Anthony," said Friday. "As a Penn Stater, he recognizes the importance of giving back to our community of Middletown. He's extremely conscientious and enjoys helping others. Penn State Harrisburg men's basketball has developed deep ties with Roberto's Dave Kitner and Detective Adam Tankersley of the Middletown Police Department. Dave and Adam are both passionate about investing and helping the Middletown community; a message personified by Anthony's efforts to help Middletown's Youth Organization."
Before securing the grant for the Middletown Youth Club, Morgan researched the group and learned that the club had held small fundraisers like the occasional fish fry to raise money for equipment and operating costs for games. The pandemic slowed normal fundraising contributions due to the high unemployment rate but thanks to the efforts of Morgan and Enterprise Holdings, a football season will take place in Middletown this fall.
Morgan's most-recent endeavor is the latest in a long line of community service efforts. He's volunteered at local youth basketball camps, taken part in Penn State's annual THON, and traveled to South Africa to volunteer the summer before his senior year at Penn State Harrisburg. He's found a match in Enterprise Holdings, as both the individual and the company he works for are all in on making a difference.
"It's always been instilled in me to give back," said Morgan. "It helps that I work for such a great company that allows me to partner in and accomplish these efforts. When a tornado hit Nashville last year, I mentioned they would need help and Enterprise donated to the city's Martha O'Bryan Center for underprivileged youth and families. Each of our employees is given a paid volunteer day to use to volunteer in the local community. It's awesome stuff."
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Morgan and the Penn State Harrisburg men's basketball team are set to return to action when they open the 2021-22 campaign against Randolph on Saturday night, Nov. 6.
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the handle @pshbgathletics.