Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship

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Recently, the Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship for $4425 was awarded to Emily Detsch of St. Marys, by the Elk County Community Foundation. Emily is the daughter of Daniel and Lisa Detsch of St. Marys. She graduated from Penn State Behrend with a degree in Biology. Emily currently is enrolled at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University.

In his estate plans Joseph A. Williams (1876-1979) was interested in the education of local students perusing a medical degree and established this scholarship. Mr. Williams was a very hard and dedicated worker who was employed by the Kaul and Hall lumber company for over 67 years. He later became president of various lumber and clay industries. Mr. Williams was president of Eastern Clay Products, which comprised all clay products industries east of the Mississippi River. As one of the founders of the Industrial Council of St. Marys, Joseph Williams was always interested in civic matters. He held leadership positions with the American Red Cross; United Fund; Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital and the Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township.

The Elk County Community Foundation currently administers 74 scholarship funds. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund please contact the Elk County Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or check out their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

Pictured L to R

Emily Detsch and Jake Meyer, Board President of the Elk County Community Foundation.

Ole Bull Violin and Inez Bull Piano Scholarships

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Ole Bull Violin and Inez Bull Piano Scholarships

Two new scholarships with the North Central Community Foundation of PA are the Ole Bull Violin and the Inez Bull Piano Scholarships that were established by the Spunky Norwegian Foundation. Two students who were selected to be awarded $2,250 each in the form of a scholarship. The 2015 recipients are, Brent Bartlett, the recipient of the Ole Bull Violin scholarship is a student at IUP and Shiqun Ou the recipient of the Inez Bull Scholarship attends PSU.

The student must have graduated from a high school in Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron or Clinton county and be majoring in music. The scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation who will distribute over $170,000 in 2015. These scholarships recognize high school seniors who have displayed outstanding qualities in academic achievement, leadership, and community service. In addition to this award the Community Foundation is involved with the Partnership for Access to Higher Educations (PATH) and will nominate all students who receive a scholarship from them to the PATH program. This program is administered through PHEAA which provides matching dollars to qualified candidates. Last year the Foundation had nearly $61,000 matched to 54 students in our area.

The Elk County Community Foundation Board extends their gratitude to The Spunky Norwegian Foundation who has seen a need and believes in the youth of today. Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125 or get more information from the website, www.elkcountyfoundation.com

Michelle A. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship

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The Michelle A. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund, administered by The Elk County Community Foundation, recently awarded $1,600 to Rhianon Fowler, a 2013 graduate of Johnsonburg Area High School. Rhianon is heading into her sophomore year at Clarion University and is proud to say she is part of the first to graduate from the new nursing degree program at Clarion. Rhianon has maintained excellent grades while also playing on the Clarion University Woman’s Soccer Team. Michelle Campbell, the number one student in her nursing class, was dedicated to helping other and learning to be the best nurse she could be. Pictured with Rhianon are Michelle’s parents, Joyce and Jim Campbell, who have established this scholarship in her memory. If you have questions about he Foundations or are interested in establishing a fund, please contact us at 814-834-2125 or check out our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

Grant

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Application for Elk County Community Foundation

 The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), announces their annual granting cycle applications are now available to area nonprofit organizations. The ECCF welcomes applications for funding as part of its mission to promote the betterment of Elk County and to enhance the quality of the life for all residents. Applications will be accepted through July 10, 2015 and are available by calling the ECCF’s office at 834-2125 or via their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com. All grant will need to be submitted electronically.

Funds will be award for such community development initiatives that will enhance the economic and community well-being of Elk County.  Distribution from the grants can be used to meet special project or program needs of organizations serving the people of Elk County. The Foundation encourages organizations that will serve a particular need of the community and will make a lasting impact on the overall community to apply.  The Foundation seeks to fund projects or activities that will serve the needs of many in the community rather than the needs of a few individuals.  Projects should include activities that are innovative and have a plan to be sustained themselves.   In addition, grants are made to support programs serving all persons regardless of race, religion or creed and are made only to tax-exempt, charitable organizations.

Organizations that feel they meet the above criteria of the economic and community development are invited to submit their application to the foundation. Grants will be reviewed and approved by the end of August.  The funds come from the Foundation’s endowed Community Economic and Development fund and the Fund of the Future general endowment.  The form now must be completed electronically and returned via email.

With the grants given in 2014 totaling nearly $30,000 the Community Foundation celebrated yet another major milestone. The total dollars given to the community since their inception in 2000 surpassed the $2million mark. Grants awarded last year included:

Elk County Catholic School Systems for purchase of new Elementary School blinds

  • Highland Twp. Recreation purchased new Park equipment
  • Historical Society of St. Marys partially funded their new parking lot
  • St. Marys Area Economic Development Corp. for support of their Revolving Loans
  • St. Marys Rotary Club community clock project
  • Shade Tree Commission’s completed their Erie Ave. project
  • Jay Township Volunteer Fire Co.Rescue Utility Vehicle

The Foundation also administers a number of other funds that grant throughout the year.  Check out the other Grant application on their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com. ECCF is a non-profit organization that manages endowed funds established by donors for area non-profit organizations.  Donor gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Community Links Receive Website Funding

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Community Links Receive Website Funding

Recently the Community Links, executive director, Pam FinGado met with Ted Schneider one of the donor advisors of the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund to express their gratitude for their recent grant. The donor advised fund is held and administered by the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF). Last month the advisors met and approve a grant for $4,750 to help fund Community Link’s new website. Community Links, based in Bradford PA, is a small, non-profit organization founded in October 2003 which provides direct care services for those with intellectual disabilities in Elk, Cameron, and McKean Counties.

Community Links provides home and community habilitation, respite care, and behavioral support services that promote and support the independence of our individuals in their homes or in their community. The agency also provides relief to primary caregivers by offering alternative care in the consumer’s home or in the home of respite staff. The agency originated in response to the limited availability of services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Their goal is to give a choice in service delivery.

With this gift the Community Links will have a professional presence on the web. They know that this website will enhance their services and meet many of the training needs of the staff. “We can hardly wait to start to showcase the abilities and accomplishments of those we serve on our web page” commented Mrs. FinGado. She went on to say how this grant will allow them the ability to become part of the online community. Their hope is that it will promote their efforts to support the intellectually disabled population as they achieve greater independence and success in their communities.

The Advisors for the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund are made up of the family and friends of Harrison and Muriel. Their goal is to ensure that the Fund continues the good works that both Mr. & Mrs. Stackpole had done in our community during their lifetime and to support the philanthropic causes that were important to both of them. Applications for the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund are accepted and reviewed quarterly. Please contact the Elk County Community Foundation for specific deadline dates or check out the website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

ECCF is a non- profit organization that manages endowed funds established by donors for area non profit organizations as wells as administers a number of scholarships for individuals and groups. Donor gifts to the Foundations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Pictured are left to right: Pam FinGado, Executive Director of Community Links and Ted Schneider, advisor to the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund