Citizen, company lauded
CRANBERRY TWP — The local Boy Scout Council will present its annual awards at a dinner at the Pittsburgh Marriott North. The event, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, honors the outstanding service of one person and one company for shaping their communities.
The Moraine Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America named Robert R. Heaton as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year based on his economic and philanthropic contributions throughout Butler County.
Heaton entered the workforce at age 11 at a local Studebaker dealership, before earning a degree in mortuary science and spending 45 years as a funeral director. In 1993, he entered real estate by founding the RHGL Corp. with his friend, Glenn Logan.
Heaton said he struggled to support himself through his own schooling, which has spurred his interest in charitable causes focused on education, particularly with a $1 million contribution to a library renovation project at BC3. The library is now named after him. He also assists high school and college students with various scholarships.
“I had a hard time during my own youth,” he said. “There are still children out there who need my help.”
Heaton said he has always admired Boy Scouts for their values.
“They raise kids right,” he said. “I respect them very much.”
He said to be recognized by an organization focused on educating children morally and practically means a lot to him.
“It's one of the greatest things to ever happen to me,” Heaton said.
Distinguished Company
The council also named the First National Bank of Pennsylvania as the Distinguished Company of the Year.
Frank Krieder, president of the bank's northwest region, said the corporation has been involved with Moraine Trails Council since 2012.
“We are very excited to be selected as the 2017 Company of the Year by the Moraine Trails Council,” Krieder said.
Krieder said one of the bank's commitments is to the financial literacy portion of the Learning for Life program, which teaches students positive character traits and skills usable into adulthood and their careers.
“At FNB (First National Bank,) we believe being actively involved is the best way to help our communities thrive, and that starts with shaping our future generations,” he said.
Krieder said that interest in molding children for the future aligns with the strong character many children develop in Boy Scouts.
“To be recognized as an organization that makes contributions in line with the values of the Moraine Trails Council is an honor,” Krieder said.
The Moraine Trails Council dinner is chaired by Eagle Scout and attorney Tom King III and supports the programs of the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Bucoco, near Slippery Rock, and Camp Agawam in New Castle.
For more information about the dinner, contact Brenda Albert at 724-287-6791.
