Pat and Barb Crow – On display but behind the scenes

Avery Chick
NLJ Correspondent
 
It would be fair to describe Pat and Barb Crow as the epitome of being humble, and they have, in fact, been described that way. Because of that, many in the community are unaware of the impact the couple has had on the quality of life here. Whether through their many donations, or the simple act of showing up to support every event the community has to offer, Pat and Barb are dedicated community benefactors.
Those efforts have been most apparent recently through donations the Crows have made to the Weston County School District Endowment.
The school district’s endowment fund is a place where people can donate money and the school district can either use it as they see fit, or the donors can earmark it for a specific purpose. The recent Crow donations have all gone toward some drastically needed improvements at Crouch Auditorium. Those donations have helped the district undertake significant improvements to the lighting and sound systems and even spruced up the large curtains on the stage.
“I’ve known both of them for 30 years, since I came here. I first knew them because they were parents of kids in the school,” Superintendent Brad LaCroix told the News Letter Journal. He described the Crows as engaged parents, but said that engagement went beyond their own children to provide benefits for other students as well and they continue to help young people today.
“They are still involved in helping the Amish family, in making sure that they have items we have in surplus,” LaCroix said, noting they make sure to deliver items such as textbooks and even extra office supplies to children who need them.
The couple’s involvement with the foundation goes back a long way as well. The fund itself was started years ago by Pat Crow and Mark Sylte, according to LaCroix, who said it began as an investment outlet for awards and donations like the Weston County School District No. 1 Endowment Foundation’s Fassbender Teacher’s Scholarship. Established through a gift from Bill Fassbender, a long-time science teacher in the district, and his wife, Joann, the scholarship is intended to help teachers in the district who wish to improve their own education.
“I’ve worked with the Crows particularly closely here in the last six years,” LaCroix said. “Pat has been instrumental in getting the endowment fund going. … He gives money to them, which is earmarked for Crouch.” 
Although the Crow family has been willing to help with whatever endeavors the school district needs, they have had a particular fondness for the music department. 
“They’ve had family participating in choir for years. They’ve always really supported the music arts, and music was really important to the family,” said Jan Ellis, a former vocal music instructor for the district. 
She explained how the Crows came to focus on auditorium improvements.
“It all started when [Joann] didn’t like the looks of the curtains,” Ellis said. At the time, the curtains were torn and tattered. 
“They really just asked me what they could do to help. … They have also donated to the Weston County Concert Association heavily,” Ellis said. “They are some of the most honest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and some of the most supportive. … I never had to ask for money. They were always asking how they could help.”
While their generosity is readily apparent through their commitment to the arts and their desire to make the Crouch Auditorium a true community treasure, they visibly support countless other endeavors in Newcastle and Weston County. Barb in particular can be counted on to attend any event she is aware of and available for, and she has never hesitated to offer input or ask questions on important issues confronted by local governments.
“It seems like Barb shows up in the pictures any time we send a photographer to an event or meeting,” News Letter Journal publisher Bob Bonnar said. “And she doesn’t hesitate to ask a tough question or let folks know what is on her mind. She is easily one of our best and informed readers, and we obviously appreciate her for that, but she is also one of our biggest contributors when it comes to story ideas about people who are doing good things or issues that may be flying under the radar. There’s absolutely no question how much she cares about Newcastle.”