SGL Carbon, LLC Support Local Students with Scholarships

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The Elk County Community Foundation recently announced SGL Carbon, LLC scholarship winners. Plant Manager, Tom Detsch, standing on the right and Human Resources Manager, Kathy Kennedy, on the left, from SGL Carbon met with students who were selected to be awarded $500 each in the form of a scholarship from SGL Carbon, LLC. The recipients were from left to right, Dan Stauffer, Cheyanne Merritt, Griffin Wurm and Charlie Bobby. Cheyanne and Griffin recently graduated from St. Marys Area High School while Charlie and Dan graduated from Elk County Catholic High School. Charlie will be attending Penn State University, Dan will attend St. Bonaventure University, and Cheyanne and Griffin will both be attending Penn State Erie; the Behrend College this fall. Mr. Detsch encouraged the students to work hard and congratulated them on being chosen for this award. SGL Group – The Carbon Company – is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products. SGL has supported local students with this scholarship for six years.

St. Marys Rotary Presents Scholarship

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The St. Marys Rotary Club presented a scholarship to SMAHS Senior Jennifer Rearick. Jennifer is pictured here with Club President Greg Snelick and Club Secretary Vern Kreckel III. Congratulations Jennifer! St. Marys Rotary, thanks for your partnership!

Valone Recongized

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Don Valone, on the left, was recently presented a plaque by Gennaro Aiello, newly elected Board President of the Elk County Community Foundation for his dedicated service. Don had been on the Board of Directors and served in many leadership roles for over 12 years. He was active on the Investment Committee for most of his tenure and also served as Secretary, Vice President, President and chaired the nominating committee. Don assured the group that he will continue to support the Foundation and serve if needed. The plaque presented reads:
Thank you for your dedication and perseverance during the formative years of the Elk County Community Foundation. Because of your willingness to volunteer your time, treasures and expertise with us, we have grown and will continue to give back to the community for generations to come.

The Dobson Fund Supports Education

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The Dobson Fund Supports Education

The Doug and Charlotte Dobson Memorial Fund, a donor advised fund at the Elk County Community Foundation, recently made a grant award to Francis S. Grandinetti Elementary school. The award funds experiential learning experiences using eight different special learning opportunities through Mrs. Marcia Raubenstrauch’s classroom. These programs have provided students with the ability to make connections between formal learning and real life…. Opportunities beyond the traditional classroom allow students to become excited, adventurous, and to be able to think differently. Annually the family of Doug and Charlotte Dobson has the opportunity to direct dollars to projects that enhance the community in which they lived. The Dobson Fund is one of over 140 funds held at The Elk County Community Foundation.

Recently one of the programs funded by the grant took place. Gifted students from fourth through eighth grade were provided an incredible experience where they were able to work closely with Gene Boni and Roland Boni, the local artists who own and run MudSlide Pottery. The students were engaged in learning about the history of pottery, the chemistry of glazing, and understanding both the artistic side of design and the business of running a pottery shop. Students worked with the artists at school and then went to the studio to learn how to produce pottery. Throughout this project the emphasis was on critical thinking and solving problems in the real world.

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. Its vision is to connect people who care with causes that matter. The Foundation assists donors who have an interest in starting a fund to benefit nearly any charitable organization or cause that they have a vested interest in, whether as a named fund or in the memory of a deceased family member or friend. As mentioned, the Doug and Charlotte Dobson Memorial Fund is just one of many funds; each with a different story and each for a different purpose. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Foundation for more information either by calling 814-834-2125 or visiting its website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com

The Community Foundation’s Women Who Care Game Night

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The Community Foundation’s Women Who Care Game Night

Women Who Care, a philanthropic giving circle of over 200 area women, held its spring membership meeting at The Dam Inn in Glen Hazel. Women Who Care is a project of the Elk County Community Foundation.

The evening began with a short presentation explaining the mission and purpose of the Women Who Care organization. Many members bring a guest to the event to help grow new membership. The members and their guests thoroughly enjoyed the Game Night theme with small games of chance and an opportunity to be part of the Women Who Care Family Feud game with Mark Jacob acting as host. Twelve teams competed in the popular TV game with the winning team being “The Buzzers”, consisting of Lucy Bobby, Nancy Hoffman, Bev Yates, Bea Terbovich and Abbi Peters. The teams competed for the top prize, the opportunity to award a $500 grant to a charity of their choice. The Buzzers chose the Elk County Council on the Arts as their charity to fund. The top two winning teams received consolation prizes.

Women Who Care members meet twice a year, at the spring event and at the Annual Meeting in the fall. Members contribute a minimum of $100 donation yearly. These donations provide the funding that allows local non-profits to apply for grants for projects that are important to women and families. At their Annual Meeting in the fall, the membership votes for the projects they want to fund with their annual donation. Between $20,000 and $25,000 has been awarded annually. Since 2009, including this evening’s $500 grant, the organization has given $130,200 back to the community. Membership dues for the 2017 granting cycle will be accepted until June 1. 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.

Pictured: is the winning team left to right: Lucy Bobby, Nancy Hoffman, Bev Yates, Bea Terbovich and Abbi Peters