Patrick Kenney, Jr. Memorial Education Fund
Patrick Kenney, Jr. was an outstanding black leader of the community. Kenney was the first black president of a Lions Club in the United States at the Marietta Lions Club. He served as president of the Riverview School PTO, was adjutant of the local VFW Post for more than 20 years, state vice president of the Jaycees, and president of the Lancaster Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews He served on the Human Relations Commission from 1964-68 as treasurer, member of the executive committee, and was elected vice chairman in 1968. In July 1968 he became the charter Executive Director, where he served until his passing in 1983.
Kenney was once described as being totally committed to the idea of equality. In recognition of his leadership, human relations work, and other educational activities, the Patrick Kenney, Jr. Memorial Education Fund was established by the Board of Lancaster City-County Human Relations Commission and the Lancaster Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1986. Their purpose was the promotion of understanding and goodwill, as well as equality among the races, religions and the like. The Patrick Kenney, Jr. Memorial Education Fund carries on his legacy through supported projects that encourage better human relations in Lancaster County.
The Patrick Kenney Jr. Memorial Education Fund, in combination with the K.L. Shirk Memorial Fund for Human Relations, has supported projects including:
- Franklin & Marshall hosting the Lancaster Arab & Islamic Arts Festival
- LancasterHistory documenting oral history of Black, Jewish, and immigrant families in the 7th Ward of the City
- YWCA’s work to expand capacity of local racial justice trainer
- Filming and community discussions of “A Creek Don’t Rise”, exploring how people with vast difference make Lancaster home
- Parish Resource Center’s medical debt relief efforts and community learning series on gaps in healthcare
…and many more.
