ZELIENOPLE - Overseers of a philanthroper's health care assistance fund are looking for candidates to benefit from the generous gift.

Howard Eckhart, who was known as "Doc," died in the mid-1960s. He set up a $50,000 trust fund to help victims of polio and cancer.

He had been stricken with polio and had some difficulty getting around, walking with a cane.

The Rev. Robert Keplinger of English Lutheran Church in Zelienople, one of the trustees who oversees the fund, said it has been difficult finding people to assist over the years.

He's been trying to get the word out about the assistance program for years.

"I think a lot of people don't apply because of pride," Keplinger said.

The fund helps pay for medical bills.

The fund's trustees plan to put posters around the community to inform more borough residents about the medical assistance fund.

In the past decade, between $2,000 and $5,000 has been used from the trust each year to help about 10 people, though he is unsure how many people have applied or how many people have been helped.

Those applying for the assistance, which is administered through Citizens National Bank of Evans City, must meet three criteria: they must be a borough resident, have either polio or cancer and prove financial need.

The fund is administered by Keplinger, Mayor Tom Oliverio, Zelienople council president Chuck Underwood, the Rev. William Brewer of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the bank manager who oversees the fund.

To apply for the funding, Zelienople residents can call Keplinger at 724-452-8110.