Samaritan’s Promise is a local non-profit service organization founded in January 2020 by Tyrone natives Tom Templeton and his wife Christine.

The mission of the organization is to provide financial assistance to those in need in the Tyrone, Bellwood, and Warriors Mark area.

“My wife and I were driving home to Boalsburg, where we lived at the time, and I just felt this great urge to help,” said Templeton.

The name of the organization was inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible.

“Today we work with people in Tyrone, Bellwood, and Warriors Mark. It’s been a great pleasure for us,” said Templeton.

Samaritan’s Promise relies solely on donations from the community. The group has received the support of many local residents, businesses, and community leaders over the past three years.  Barry Smith, the owner of Smith Transport, donated 30 acres of land to the organization. The sale of that land earned over $40,000 for the charity.

In addition to Templeton, the board of directors also includes co-founder Christine Templeton, who served as the Director of Alumni and External Relations at Penn State University, former Tyrone High School teacher and DelGrosso’s executive Peter Gardella Jr., owner of the Blue Spruce Huntwear and Warriors Mark resident Suzie Walls, and Bill Ewing, Tyrone High School graduate, and pastor of Calvary Tyrone Church.

According to Templeton, Samaritan’s Promise has already given over $100,000 to local people in need.

Templeton recalls the first person that his organization was able to help, a disabled man who needed a new van after his had broken down.

Samaritan’s Promise also helps the families of students in the Tyrone Area School District. So far they have donated over $7,000 to the families of TASD students.

“I work with [Tyrone Area School District Social Worker] Shannon Flanigan, who helps students who are homeless or in need,” said Templeton.

Teachers in the Tyrone Area School District have also supported Samaritans Promise through their “dress down Friday” program.  Teachers and staff make weekly donations to local causes, including Samaritans Promise.

The Samaritan’s Promise finds many creative ways to help those in need. They will give gift cards to local grocery stores or pay electric bills, water bills, and medical bills.

Templeton recalled a family that was on the verge of eviction that Samaritan’s Promise was able to help so that the family did not become homeless.

“The community has been fantastic. To raise $100,000 in a small community is just heartwarming and we hope the future will be even better,” said Templeton.

“The Promise” is organized as a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that all donations to the organization are tax-deductible.  Those interested in donating to the cause can visit their website, https://www.samaritanspromise.org/, or send a check to The Samaritan’s Promise c/o Sickler, Tarpey, and Associates at 227 Jefferson Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Tom Templeton and other Samaritan’s Promise volunteers at 814-308-4333 or by email at [email protected].

“Every small community has people in need,” said Templeton. “We’ve only touched a small part of that need. If you know of someone who needs help if we have the money available we’ll do the best we can.”