Schneider Was First Recipient of Pheasants Forever Youth Outdoor Adventure

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ECCF: 20 Years: celebrating our past ~ inspiring our future

This is just one of a series of articles on the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) during its 20th anniversary year, highlighting its history and impact in the community

St. Marys, PA

It was just 10 years ago, in March of 2010, when North Central PA Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 established their Youth Outdoor Fund at the Elk County Community Foundation. As the administrator of over 170 funds that offer support for innovative projects, grants, and scholarships, the Community Foundation impacts our communities by connecting people who care with causes that matter to them. For Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 their cause is to provide outdoor adventures to youth with serious physical limitations or life threatening illnesses who have an interest in the out of doors, but have limited opportunities to enjoy activities such as hunting, fishing and other outdoor events. Soon after establishing its fund, Chapter 630 began making plans for its inaugural Youth Outdoor Adventure weekend.

In 2011, Emily Schneider as a 9-year-old was one of the first PF Youth Outdoor kids to experience this yearly event that makes children’s dreams come true. Emily is now 20 and a sophomore studying Early Level Education at Pitt Bradford.

Emily shared, “I was so nervous the first year. It turned out to be an amazing experience. The Pheasants Forever volunteers became like family to me over the years.” Her dad Tim stated, “Emily was very shy and introverted. I give Pheasants Forever credit for bringing her out of her shell. She developed an enthusiastic interest in the outdoors and still loves participating in hunting, fishing, and various group events.”  Emily has continued to help out at the annual youth outdoor weekend along with her parents, Mary Jo and Tim, who prepare and cook the meals for families attending the event each year. Through Pheasants Forever, Emily also got involved with Hunt of a Lifetime adventures, bagging her very own moose on a hunt in Vermont.

Each fall Pheasants Forever has taken 2 to 3 youth and their families on an outdoor adventure weekend that often turns out to be the experience of a lifetime. Dick Bodenhorn, long time past president of the chapter, stated, “Our volunteers are very creative. They can adapt activities like hunting, fishing, geocaching, horseback riding, kayaking, and UTV riding to be accessible to kids with any kind of disability. We have hosted kids with inoperable brain tumors, spina bifida, leukemia and various forms of cancer, as well as those born without the use of an arm, kids confined to wheelchairs, and many other conditions.” Many of the youth go on to participate in future years in various other events hosted by the organization. Bodenhorn added, “we have created some real hunting enthusiasts!”.

The organizers, all volunteers, develop a program for each youth participant depending on their interests, providing each of them with a weekend of memories. The youth and their families spend the weekend, free of charge, at one of three host sites.  All meals, comfortable lodging, outdoor activities and equipment are provided by the organization. On Saturday evening, a catered banquet is held for the participants and their families. All past participants and their families are invited to attend each year, with many new friendships formed between the youth and their parents.

Tim Rowan, current president of Pheasants Forever Chapter 630, said, “about 25 kids have participated since 2011, with 100% of them having a very positive experience, many of whom are able to experience these outdoor activities for the first time. Some families have told me it’s the best weekend as a family they have ever had.”  Getting the word out about this opportunity is the group’s biggest challenge. They want families to know that they are very adaptive to a child’s needs, both physical and emotional, and are committed to providing the family with a wonderful weekend of memories. Rowan stated, “You may come in as a stranger, but you’ll leave as family. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this life changing outdoor experience give us a call to find out more about it”.

Residents of Elk and all of the surrounding counties are eligible to apply. The event is offered to youth with serious physical limitations or life threatening illnesses, and their families, free of charge.  Pheasants Forever and the Elk County Community Foundation invite anyone interested in this opportunity to contact them with any questions.  Visit the Pheasants Forever website at www.northcentralpapf.org, talk to any member of Pheasants Forever, or contact the Community Foundation at 834-2125 . The mission of the Elk County Community Foundation is to strengthen our region through development, stewardship, and grant making as donors achieve their philanthropic goals.

Photo: Emily Schneider has found a lifelong interest in outdoor activities since she participated in the first Pheasants Forever Youth Outdoor event in 2011. She and her family now help out at the event each year and encourage all kids with serious physical limitations to apply for this amazing weekend. “I love seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces”, Emily said, “and I love the Saturday night banquet that brings all the families together that have participated over the years.”

Hospital Equipment Program Thrives With Help From Grants

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ECCF: 20 Years: celebrating our past ~ inspiring our future

This is the 3rd in a series of articles on the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) during its 20th anniversary year, highlighting its history and impact in the community

Hospital equipment program thrives with help from grants

St. Marys, PA,  March 24, 2020:
The Fox Township Hospital Equipment Program is well known throughout the area as a resource for people to borrow hospital equipment for use in their homes to assist with their medical needs. All of the equipment the program lends out is either donated by individuals or purchased through grant money. That is where the Elk County Community Foundation comes in.

Over the years, numerous grants have assisted the American Legion in Fox Township with expansion of their program. The Elk County Community Foundation awarded many grants to the program through the years including:  $1900, $3500, and $10,500 grants from the Elk County Development Fund; $1000 and $5000 grants from the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund; and a $950 grant from the GKN Pass-Through Fund. These grants helped fund the purchase of hospital equipment, updates and maintenance, and additional storage and building expansion.

George Mosier and his wife Norma were active with the program for over 45 years before they retired just two years ago. According to George, it all started many years ago when an outfit came in selling magazines and enlisted the American Legion to be involved. The Legion would receive points for every magazine sold, and could purchase hospital equipment with a certain number of points. George said, “We bought two hospital beds with those points, that was our start. Then people began donating their used equipment to us. Originally only Fox Township residents could borrow the equipment, but as our inventory grew we expanded our outreach to everyone who needed help.”

The original name of the program was the American Legion Hospital Equipment Program. When growing pains created the need for additional funding they changed the name to the Fox Township Equipment Program and obtained their 501c3 status which made them eligible to apply for grant funding.

Their first location was on the second floor of the Legion building. Beds and equipment had to be carried up and down the stairs. When the Legion needed the upstairs rooms for other purposes, the equipment was moved to the abandoned ambulance garage in the lower level.  Grant money they received from the Elk County Community Foundation helped them update and add onto the building to accommodate their growing program.

According to Fox Township Legion representatives, today the hospital equipment remains in very high demand, with calls ranging from 2 a week, to 30 a week. In fact, the demand is constantly going up due to insurance limitations. Remaining in your home environment during and following an illness requires many adjustments in the home, including the need for wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and more.

The Fox Township Equipment Program has been a valuable resource to help keep people safe and comfortable in their homes. This loan program provides a cost-effective way to borrow needed equipment which can then be returned at a later time to pay it forward to others in need. The program serves anyone who is in need in the area.   Request have come as far away as Brookville, PA. Equipment can be borrowed or donated by calling 885-6117 and leaving a message on the answering machine. Someone will return your call to make arrangements.

Improving the lives of people in Elk County is what the Community Foundation is all about. ECCF makes it easy to support the causes you care about, whether you want to make a memorial or honorary donation, give to an existing fund, or create a plan to establish your own fund for future charitable giving. Philanthropic giving from generous donors over the 20-year history of the Community Foundation has made possible the many wonderful projects and programs that enhance the lives of our residents. For more information on the Elk County Community Foundation, call 834-2125 or visit their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

Scholarships for Adult Learners, College Students

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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ADULT LEARNERS, COLLEGE STUDENTS

St. Marys, PA: News flash! Not all scholarships are targeted for graduating high school seniors! The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) offers a number of scholarships for adults, current college students, and graduate level students who are pursuing an education.

These non-high school students log into the ECCF website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org to learn about all the scholarships that are available to them. The Information for Students section features easy-to-navigate buttons that take you to the scholarships that are appropriate for each type of student. It also includes a Q & A section to answer the most frequently asked questions. Adult learner scholarship applications can be downloaded from the website, filled out, and returned to the Foundation for review. Deadline dates for each application are indicated on the website, all applications must be returned by March 25th at the latest.

Scholarships are available for those seeking an education in general, technical, vocational, and specialized fields of study. Current scholarships available are: Abagail Veronica Dobson Memorial Scholarship, Inez Bull Piano Scholarship, Ole Bull Violin Scholarship, Michele Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship, David L. Delullo Sr. Memorial Scholarship, Hasselman/Hopton Memorial Scholarship, Seth T. Hockman Memorial Scholarship, Leroy C. Krise Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Sandra Calkins Kowalski Nursing, Ella McElhany & Maude B. Schimmelfeng Scholarship,  Ruth E. Reed Nursing Scholarship, Eugene & Naomi Brady Memorial Scholarship,  Catherine M. Moran Memorial Scholarship, Greiner/Roof Law Scholarship, Dr. Maurus Sorg Memorial Scholarship, and the Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship.

As an added bonus due to ECCF’s partnership with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education), some students who receive a scholarship through the Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program. In the 2019 over $50,000 was matched to our local students.

Visit the ECCF website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org for more details on the various scholarship opportunities that exist for both high school and non-traditional students. Many of the scholarships honor or memorialize individuals who have touched the lives of our Elk County residents. The Elk County Community Foundation provides donors with a simple but powerful and highly personal approach to achieving their philanthropic goals while enhancing the quality of life for the people of Elk County. For further details, contact the Foundation at 834-2125.

PICTURE: The Dr. Maurus Sorg Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 to honor his lifetime of service to his patients and his community. This scholarship is available to both adult learners and graduating seniors.

Initial Stackpole-Hall funding sparks 20 years of growth

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Initial Stackpole-Hall funding sparks 20 years of growth

ECCF: 20 Years: celebrating our past ~ inspiring our future

This is the 2nd in a series of articles on the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) during its 20th anniversary year, highlighting its history and impact in the community

St. Marys, PA, February 25, 2020:

In 2000 a group of community leaders made a decision that would impact our communities for years to come. After 18 months of discussion, and a brief affiliation with the Erie Community Foundation, the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) received its designation as a 50lc3 organization. The foundation embarked on its mission with a

$50,000 investment from The Stackpole-Hall Foundation for each of three years to fund its start-up operations. ECCF’s first Board of Directors then began the work of building this charitable organization that would invest over  $5 million into community projects over the next two decades.

Richard Masson became the first board president, working alongside the board’s twelve additional members in creating the framework for the foundation’s growth and success. Future board presidents would include Bea Terbovich, Charlie Constable, Judith Manno Stager, Dan Straub, Don Vallone, Jake Meyer, Gennaro Aiello, and current board president, Tom Jesberger, all of whom served to develop its vision and build on the momentum of those who served before them. These officers along with many talented individual board members with unique backgrounds and diverse experience have been a great asset to the Community Foundation over the years.

Martha Engel was appointed as the first Executive Director to oversee the business of the foundation. She served in this capacity until 2005 when Paula Fritz Eddy took over the director position, which she currently holds today. These women have been responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization.

The Elk County Development Fund and the Benn Goodrich Fund were the initial funds that came into the Elk County Community Foundation. When the old Elk County Development Foundation dissolved, their dollars were turned over to the Elk County Community Foundation and became the Elk County Development Fund. The Benn Goodrich Fund was established in memory of Mr. Goodrich, the first chairman of the Stackpole Hall Foundation Board of Directors. ECCF now administers a total of 170 funds. “Our foundation gratefully acknowledges the Stackpole-Hall Foundation for not only their financial support but also for their guidance and leadership that made the Elk County Community Foundation a reality”, stated Paula Fritz Eddy, ECCF Executive Director.

A community foundation is a vehicle for people of all means to make a lasting difference in their community. The Elk County Community Foundation administers funds of all sizes, providing a simple, powerful and personal approach to giving. For 20 years ECCF has played a key role in identifying opportunities and supporting programs that solve community problems. Through the years the foundation has been supported by donors who established charitable funds or donated to existing funds. Hundreds of grants for community projects and scholarships for students have been awarded. The vision of the founders of the Foundation has truly impacted the lives of thousands of our area residents.

For more information on the Elk County Community Foundation, call 834-2125 or visit their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

Elk County Scholarship Applications Are Now Available

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Elk County Scholarship Applications Are Now Available

St. Marys, PA: Attention All those attending Colleges, Universities or Vocational schools! The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies added twenty new scholarships this year.  This has increased the total scholarship awards by the Foundation to nearly $250,000 available for students across seven counties. The Community Foundation has distributed all post-secondary or vocational school scholarship applications to the high school guidance departments throughout the area and also have information on our website.   Please visit: www.elkcountyfoundation.org, look for the Scholarship page and the “Information for Students” tab!

Each scholarship that is available has a different focus, so check each one out and see if it is right for you. Some of the new scholarships are the Joseph & Delores Frey Family Scholarship, Lisa Lepovetsky Memorial Scholarship, VanVranken Scholarship, Jordan Adams Memorial Award, Abagail Veronica Dobson Memorial Scholarship, McGrady Family Fund Scholarship and James “Wes” Jones Memorial Scholarship.

Post-secondary music students and high school seniors are also eligible to apply for the Inez Bull Piano or the Ole Bull Violin Scholarships as long as they graduated from a high school in Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron or Clinton County.

The Community Foundation is one of 40 state wide partners with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education). Students who receive a scholarship award from the Community Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program. In 2019 over $50,000 was matched to our local students.

Additional graduate level and non-traditional scholarships are also available for music, law, medical, vocational nursing and many more. Visit the website to see what is available! For further details and deadlines, contact your guidance counselor or the Community Foundation at 814 834-2125.

Pictured are the recipients of the Elk County Foundation Scholarships from 2019.