History of UMBA

The Early Days

 

UMBA was organized during the fall of 1965. In the mid 1960’s, UMBA was then known as the  Upper Makefield Business and Professional Men’s Association. The bylaws outlining the objectives of this organization established it as a nonprofit, nonpartisan association; organized to stimulate interest among its members in the development, promotion, and public affairs of the township; and to promote goodwill and well-being through the community through encouragement of various activities and civic responsibilities. UMBA was fully incorporated in 1967 and remains a financially sound 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 

The first order of business was to organize the Upper Makefield Fire Company. It was decided that Upper Makefield Township needed its own fire company given the community was transitioning from a predominantly rural to a more suburban area. At that time, the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company, Union Fire Company of Titusville, NJ, New Hope Eagle Fire Company, Lingohocken Fire Company and Newtown Fire Association responded to fire and emergency calls within the township and collected donations from township residents to help fund their operations.

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The all-volunteer, unpaid Upper Makefield Fire Company (UMFC) was incorporated in December 1967, making it the youngest volunteer fire company in Bucks County. Its initial priorities included obtaining equipment, building a firehouse, and recruiting and training firefighters.

 

Through the dedicated efforts and through financial contributions by UMBA and others in the community,  and the new UMFC, a used fire truck was purchased from the Midway Fire Company in Lahaska. Shortly after this purchase, construction of the building was undertaken by the members on land donated by George Kudra and John Bailey, the promoters of the original Buckland Valley housing development. Many of the members of UMBA also became members of the UMFC.

 

During the Bicentennial in 1976, UMBA built the foundation and assisted in setting up the monument of General George Washington crossing the Delaware River. The monument was built and donated by the Indiana Limestone Industry and the citizens of Indiana.

 

That statue was a bicentennial gift from the people of Bedford Indiana to the people of Pennsylvania. One of the terms and conditions imposed by the givers was that it could not be located on “government-owned” land. The Business Association members convinced the proprietors of the Inn to accept the donation on Inn property. UMBA members provided manpower and assisted with the excavation and site preparation work. Jerry and Donnie Saxton provided the excavation.

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1985 – UMBA Scholarship Program

 

In 1985, a scholarship program was established for high school students interested in furthering their education. Students who resided in Upper Makefield Township and surrounding communities were eligible to apply. To date, scholarships have been awarded to students from Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Pennsbury, Morrisville, Neshaminy, New Hope/Solebury, and Central Bucks West, East and South representing over $250,000 in total scholarship awards

 

Currently, and with the dividend income alone, UMBA has the ability to fund four $1,000 scholarships per year for up to 4 years per student. As students graduate and no longer receive a scholarship, new high school seniors apply and are awarded new scholarships. The UMBA Scholarship Program can be sustained indefinitely in the future, and we are extremely proud we are able to offer help to students in our area.

 

In 2023, a scholarship was established in the name of UMBA Board Member Ed McAllister. Ed passed away in 2021 and was committed to UMBA and a leader in our community for many years. Today, the Ed McAllister Scholarship contributes funds to the Williamson College of the Trades to further the education of students interested in the trades.

 

The Annual Revolutionary Run

 

2025 marked the 43rd Revolutionary Run, or the RevRun. This annual event takes place every July 4th in Washington Crossing, PA.

 

Washington Crossing State park is the site of General George Washington’s historic 1776 Christmas night crossing of the icy Delaware River. For almost ten hours, boats and ferries moved continuously back and forth carrying men, horses and cannon to the Jersey side. By midnight a strong storm had developed, hurling sleet, hail and snow at the rebel army. Landing at Johnson’s Ferry, the Continental Army still faced an arduous nine mile march to Trenton as the storm continued with a vengeance. Reaching Trenton in the early morning of December 26th, the American Army surrounded, defeated and captured over 900 Hessian mercenaries and secured a morale boosting victory of immeasurable proportions. Historians generally agree that this surprise victory was, in fact, the “turning point of the Revolutionary War.

 

It is only fitting that the start and finish lines of the RevRun are located where then General George Washington and his troops “turned the tide” of the Revolutionary War. Every July 4th, UMBA hosts the RevRun with over 1400 runners, 80 dedicated volunteers and many local sponsors. A Fun Run, certified 5K and a certified 10K are run along the scenic Washington Crossing Park and scenic Delaware River. The RevRun is open to individuals, families, competitive runners and anyone who enjoys the festivities on a July 4th morning. 

 

The money UMBA raises from the RevRun is used to provide funds to a variety of community-based needs. Upper Makefield Township Emergency Services Fund in the Township is the recipient of the largest donation.  In the past, the money donated by UMBA has been used to support emergency projects such as the purchase of the flat bottom boat for the Upper Makefield Township Volunteer Fire Company. This enabled the fire company to use the boat as a rescue rather than just a recovery vehicle due to the fact that it can go in very shallow water and rocky terrain in the river. The monies have also been used to improve/create the crew room for the ambulance squad in the Firehouse on Taylorsville Road. Past funds have also been used to purchase 3 generators for the Upper Makefield Police Township Department to be used at the traffic lights whenever there is a power outage in the crossing. And most recently funds were used to procure a high water UTV vehicle to be used in emergency situations of flooding and high water in our area.

 

Summary

 

We invite you to join UMBA as a member of the organization, sponsor of our key events and fundraising activities, or simply as a “friend of UMBA.”

 

To learn more about our organization, visit uppermakefieldba.org. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.