ECCF grants awarded to Good Samaritan Food Bank

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Two funds administered by the Elk County Community Foundation, the Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund and the Harrison & Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund, each awarded a grant of $5,000 to the Good Samaritan Food Bank (GSFB). Since 1988, GSFB has served Ridgway area families who struggle to provide food for themselves and their families, assisting on average 25-35 families per month.

Pictured L to R: Members of the K of C Gary Leithner, Sam Markert(Food Bank coordinator), John Paul MacDonald(Food Bank Treasurer) Steve Ross, Jeff Marzella, Tom Jesberger(ECCF Board President)

The Good Samaritan Food Bank located at 331 Main Street Ridgway was the main grant requester for the project to improve the food bank access to the K of C building. The K of C provides free rental for the food bank as one of the many services they provide for Ridgway residents. The Good Samaritan Food Bank has been serving Ridgway Residents in need of food assistance since 1988. On average per month the Food Bank assists 35 households, 30 individuals, 26 children and 30 elderly persons. The funding was used to add drainage to the entrance of the building, install new concrete steps and apron, regrade the parking area, and install new paving. The total project was over $16,000 so the additional funds were provided by the Frank Servidea council, GSFB, and a generous donation from the Ridgway VFW Post 5887.

The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, an endowed fund, was established from a gift received from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole. The purpose of the fund is to provide support to organizations who contribute to the quality of life of the residents of the Borough of Ridgway.

The Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund supports causes and projects that enhance the lives of the people of Elk County. The fund was established by the family of Harrison and Muriel to carry on their legacy of personal involvement and commitment to our local communities.

The Elk County Community Foundation is known for giving scholarships and grants to non-profits in Elk County and surrounding communities. The heart of the foundation’s business is helping people, families, groups, and businesses to be philanthropic or charitable. ECCF provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes with their tax deductible donations while improving the quality of life in our communities.

The Elk County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that manages over 186 endowed funds. For more information, call ECCF at 814- 834-2125 or visit their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund awards $18,500 in grants

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The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, under the management of the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), recently awarded $18,500 in grants to sin non-profit organizations. The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, (RBCF) an endowed fund, was established from a gift received from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole. The purpose of the fund is to provide support to organizations who contribute to the quality of life of the residents of the Borough of Ridgway. An advisory committee made up of Ridgway community leaders and residents is appointed by the Board of Directors of ECCF to review grant applications and distribute grants each year.  This is the 15th year of distribution for the RBCF and after tonight it will have given nearly $259,000 back to organizations that serve the Ridgway residents.

The following are the list of grantees:

  • Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s Neighbors Feeding Neighbors – Their program provides a bag of food sent home with elementary school children on Fridays, so they can have nourishment over the weekend. $5000
  • Project Gifts for Elk County provide eligible children with new toys at Christmas and other times of need such as fires, domestics etc.  Award is $1000
  • Ridgway Animal Haven Ridgway Animal Haven was developed to fill a need for successfully protecting/caring for unwanted/stray/abused animals.  A computer system is necessary to maintain the organizations files. Award is $2000.
  • Ridgway Free Library Association, the project aims to improve the functionality of one of the most used rooms in the library, the Audiobook room, by purchasing four 84″ steel bookshelves and new seating for our patrons. 84″ shelves will increase floor space for indoor programs, collaborative workshops, and improved accessibility. Award is $3500
  • James Zwald Chapter 314 Trout Unlimited’s project is part of an Elk County Park Improvement Project, which involves the Elk County Conservation District, the Jim Zwald Chapter Trout Unlimited, and Ridgway Township. The goal of the project is to install stream habitat structures to compliment an ADA accessible fishing dock. Award is $2000
  • Tri-County Rails to Trails is involved with a Feasibility Studies to manage the extension of the Clarion Little Toby Trail to Johnsonburg. Award is $5000

The Elk County Community Foundation encourages local residents and businesses to consider making a tax-deductible donation to help grow this community-oriented fund and increase the granting dollars available each year. Donations to the Ridgway Charitable Fund can be sent in care of the Elk County Community Foundation at PO Box 934 in St. Marys. For more information, visit the Community Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or contact ECCF at 834-2125. ECCF is a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen our region through development, stewardship and grant making as it works with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals.

For detailed information on the granting process and available grants, visit the Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or contact them at 814.834.2125. The Elk County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that administers over 180 endowed funds that support our communities.

Elk County Community Foundation annual report is available online

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The 2020 Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) Annual Report celebrates the 20th anniversary of the non-profit foundation. With the theme of “Counting Our Blessings”, the cover of the publication features a window pane collage with photos of area churches.

From its beginning in 2000, ECCF has been blessed with the support of charitable-minded individuals, organizations, and businesses that have invested in the future of our communities. The 186 funds established by these generous donors have given over six million dollars back to our communities through grants and scholarships. Tom Jesberger, Board President, stated, “We here at the Foundation are grateful for 20 years of loyal donors, dedicated board members, and strong partnerships with our communities and local non-profits”.

The annual report can be found online at www.elkcountyfoundation.org under About/Publications. A free printed copy can be picked up at the foundation office in the Franklin Center located at 32 South St. Marys Street.

Along with a historical timeline, the publication tells the story of donors, different types of funds, and the ways in which these funds have benefited our community through grants to non-profit organizations, schools, and municipalities, as well as through scholarships awarded to hundreds of students.

The Elk County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes with their tax deductible donations and to improve the quality of life in our communities. For more information please contact ECCF at 814-834-2125.

inimum of $100 per year. At their annual meeting the membership votes for the projects they want to fund with their annual donations. Since 2009, the organization has given $268,400 back to the community. Membership to WWC is a fun and rewarding way for women to make a real difference in their hometowns.

WWC membership dues for the 2021 granting cycle will be accepted until July 1st.  Any woman interested in becoming a member should contact the Elk County Community Foundation office at 814-834-2125 or the Foundation’s website at elkcountyfoundation.com.

  

Women Who Care holds Denim & Diamonds event

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Pictured L to R is Brian LaBlaunc, a Neil Diamond impersonator, and Orma McKeon, one of Women Who Care’s founding members, as well as their oldest member of the organization.

Women Who Care holds Denim & Diamonds event

St. Marys: Women Who Care (WWC), a project of the Elk County Community Foundation, is a philanthropic giving circle of over 225 area women. WWC gathers its members twice each year to socialize, network, and support worthy community projects by awarding grants to non-profit organizations. The women recently enjoyed a “Denim & Diamonds” gathering at The Flying Dove in Ridgway. 

The Flying Dove was a great outdoor space on a beautiful summer evening to celebrate the Women Who Care organization and the generosity of the women who make up its membership. Many members bring a guest to WWC events to introduce their friends to the important work the group does in providing grants for projects that enhance the lives of families in our communities. Membership is open to all area women.

The evening began with a short presentation explaining the mission and purpose of the Women Who Care organization. A buffet dinner catered by The Royal Inn was followed by the highlight of the night, a tribute to the music of Neil Diamond by “Simply Diamond”, who delighted the group with his special performance. The ladies, decked out in their finest denim and diamonds, enjoyed dessert prepared by Sugar Mamas Bakery!

The next meeting of WWC members will be their Annual Business Meeting in the fall, where grants will be awarded. The grants are made possible by the pooled donations of the members who each contribute a minimum of $100 per year. At their annual meeting the membership votes for the projects they want to fund with their annual donations. Since 2009, the organization has given $268,400 back to the community. Membership to WWC is a fun and rewarding way for women to make a real difference in their hometowns.

WWC membership dues for the 2021 granting cycle will be accepted until July 1st.  Any woman interested in becoming a member should contact the Elk County Community Foundation office at 814-834-2125 or the Foundation’s website at elkcountyfoundation.com.

  

ECCF awards grant to Community Nurses Hospice

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Pictured L to R Cheryl Mitchell, BSN, RN Service Line Director of PHCN, Tom Jesberger, ECCF Board President, Sonya & Jeff Marzella, and Kristen Genevro, BSN, RN Operations Manager from PHCN.und and Lois Nedzinski, President, St. Marys Heritage Preservation Group.

ECCF awards grant to Community Nurses hospice

The purpose of the Community Foundation is to connect people who care with causes that matter. The Jeff & Sonya Marzella Fund, a donor-advised fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), awarded a generous grant of $1,500 to Penn Highlands Community Nurses (PHCN) for their hospice program.

Hospice care is a special kind of care that focuses on the quality of life for people and their caregivers who are experiencing an advanced, life-limiting illness. The Marzella grant was used to fund products not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Products were purchased to help the Community Nurses and family members provide compassionate care to help patients live as fully and comfortably as possible in whatever place they call home. The grant made it possible to purchase a cordless alarm with bed and chair sensor pads; video sensor monitoring systems; digital audio monitors, and sympathy cards. Recently, Jeff and Sonya visited the Community Nurses offices, to see and learn more about some of the equipment purchased. 

The Elk County Community Foundation is known for giving scholarships and grants to other non-profits in Elk County and surrounding communities. The heart of the foundation’s business is helping people, families, groups, and businesses be philanthropic or charitable. ECCF provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes with their tax deductible donations while improving the quality of life in our communities.

The Elk County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that manages over 175 endowed funds established by donors to support the causes they care about. For more information, call the ECCF at 814- 834-2125 or visit their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.