St. Marys American Legion awards scholarships

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The Elk County Community Foundation recently announced the 2023 winners of the American Legion scholarships. The local American Legion presented three scholarships to St. Marys students. The St. Marys American Legion Post #103, St. Marys Sons of the American Legion, and St. Marys American Legion Auxiliary all established individual scholarships with slightly different criteria, but all focused on the awareness and importance of our military veterans. A total of $1,500 was awarded to 3 local youth.

Recently, Legion officials presented the awards to the student scholarship winners. Elias Nedimyer from SMAHS recieved a $500 award from the St. Marys American Legion Post #103. The St. Marys Sons of the American Legion Post #103 Scholarship for $500 was awarded to Olivia Eckels from SMAHS. Lastly, Andrea Gradl from ECCHS was the recipient of the St. Marys Legion Auxiliary Scholarship for $500.

The Elk County Community Foundation Board extends their gratitude to all of the St. Marys American Legion groups who are supporting the educational dreams of our local students. Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125 or find more information on the website, www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

Local students awarded with Straub Brewery Scholarships

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Local students awarded with Straub Brewery Scholarships

Photo: The Straub Brewery Scholarship Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation awarded their 2023 scholarships. Recipients in the front row are: Rachel Sloff, ECC, Caitlin Blessel and Isabella Catalone, SMA, missing from photo is Madisyn Hetrick, ECC. In back row representing Straub Brewery are Cathy Lenze, Julia Davis, Janet Van Eerden, Bekka Bauer, Brooke Henry, George Hasselman, Sophie Neubert, Elizabeth Anderson and Bill Brock.

The Elk County Community Foundation recently recognized the 2023 scholarship winners from the Straub Brewery Scholarship Fund. Straub Brewery has been a consistent donor to the foundation and has supported local students with such scholarships for eighteen years. These scholarships recognize high school seniors who have displayed outstanding qualities in academic achievement, leadership, and community service.

Winners of this scholarship include Madisyn Hetrick and Rachel Sloff from ECCHS, as well as Caitlin Blessel and Isabella Catalone from SMAHS. Madisyn and Rachel both plan to attend Duquense University with Madisyn studying Nursing and Rachel studying Forensic Science and Law. Caitlin plans to attend Penn State Altoona to study Biochemistry, and Isabella plans to attend the Indiana University of Pennsylvania to study Nursing. Each student was awarded $1,000.

This year, over $297,000 will be distributed to deserving students thanks to the all the donors who have established scholarships funds at ECCF. The Elk County Community Foundation Board extends their gratitude to Straub Brewery for contributing to the future of our community through their educational support. Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125 or find more information on their website, www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

New fund to honor memory of Fr. Eric Vogt

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Fr. Eric Vogt Fund to Support Youth Programs and Organizations

The Elk County Community Foundation, (ECCF) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund. This fund aims to honor the enduring legacy of the late Fr. Eric Vogt, a beloved figure in the St. Marys community, by providing support for youth programs and sports that he was well-known for, along with the impact he made on the students he coached and mentored.   The Vogt family and friends established this fund to keep his name alive in the community he loved so much and called home. 

Fr. Eric Vogt was an esteemed individual who dedicated his life to serving others. Often known by his friends as “Padre”, he touched countless lives and left an indelible impact on the community. The establishment of this endowment fund will perpetuate his spirit of service and continue to uplift the youth in the region. He exhibited his devotion not only as a priest, but also as a coach, umpire, referee, and friend. As his nephew, Mark Bolitiski said in his eulogy for his “Uncle Tommy”, “He put passion in every single thing he did, whether it be his family; the Steelers; coaching all of his players and cheering on all of his nieces and nephews; the Beatles; golf; or church.   He put his heart and soul into it, which is what made him such a loved person by all. To me, what made him the most special was how much he cherished the little ones. There was never a bigger smile on his face than when he was holding a newly baptized baby.” 

Because of his love for children, this fund will allocate resources to youth programs that foster education, mentorship, and personal development. It will also provide financial assistance to local youth sports organizations, enabling young athletes to pursue their passions and build character. 

Individuals, businesses, and organizations are invited to contribute to the Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund to honor his memory by supporting the youth in our area. Donations to the fund can be made directly to the ECCF, online at https://elkcountyfoundation.org/ clicking on the Donate Now button, or by sending it to ECCF at P.O. Box 934, St. Marys, PA  15857.  Please specify the Fr. Eric Vogt Fund as the designated recipient.

The Elk County Community Foundation, entrusted with administering the fund, is well-regarded for its commitment to promoting philanthropy and addressing community needs. By partnering with the foundation, the Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund ensures the prudent management and responsible distribution of funds to the designated beneficiaries.

For more information about the Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund or to make a donation, please contact 814-834-2125. The Elk County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Elk County, PA. By fostering philanthropy and connecting donors with community needs, the foundation strives to make a lasting impact on education, the arts, healthcare, social services, and more.

WWC Grant Money Available for Organizations Needing to Fund a Project

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Photo: St. Marys Area School District received a grant from Women Who Care for their book project. Does your group have a project that is in need of funding? All nonprofit organizations in Elk County are eligible to apply.oto: Tom Wagner, incoming Board President on right, welcome new board members, Denise Cuneo, Mary DaCanal, and Mary McGrath.

If your Elk County organization has been looking for a way to fund a new project or enhance an existing program, consider applying for a Women Who Care grant. Women Who Care (WWC), a project of the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), is pleased to announce that grant applications for the 2023 granting cycle are now available, with a submission deadline of August 15. WWC will award $45,000 in grants at their October annual meeting.

All nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools and churches that benefit the public in Elk County are eligible to apply for grant funding. Awards may be considered for start-up funds, new projects or to enhance well-established programs.

The grant application is available on the ECCF website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. The maximum grant award is $5,000. The grant application process is simple. If an organization needs guidance in completing the application, they can feel free to call the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 for assistance.

Since its first granting year in 2010, WWC has awarded over $343,000 in grants. Women Who Care brings women from diverse backgrounds together to combine their charitable donations to strengthen the Elk County community through the power of collective giving.

The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, 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.

ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW FUND TO SUPPORT ST. LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new fund aimed at providing tuition assistance to St. Leo Catholic School in Ridgway, PA. This initiative has been made possible through the generous estate of William H. Gausman, a visionary philanthropist dedicated to supporting education and empowering the community.

The Gausman Family Scholarship Fund has been created as an endowment with the purpose of ensuring that deserving students at St. Leo Catholic School have access to quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances. The fund will help bridge the financial gap for families who aspire to provide their children with a faith-based education in a nurturing and supportive environment.

St. Leo Catholic School, a classical academy, is an integral part of the Elk County Catholic School System, and renowned for its commitment to the spiritual and educational well-being of each student. With the launch of this fund, the Elk County Community Foundation aims to bolster the mission of St. Leo Catholic School, ensuring that more children can benefit from the school’s exceptional educational programs and values-based education.

“We are incredibly grateful to the late William H. Gausman for his extraordinary generosity,” stated Lynne Kucenski, Principal of St. Leo Catholic School. “This fund will open doors for students who may have otherwise been unable to attend our school due to financial constraints. Through this endowment, the legacy of William H. Gausman will live on, enabling countless students to receive a high-quality education rooted in faith and academic excellence.”

The Elk County Community Foundation would like to express sincere gratitude to Meyer, Wagner, Brown, and Kraus Attorneys at Law for their instrumental role in working closely with Mr. Gausman to establish the Gausman Family Scholarship Fund and utilizing the ECCF as the trusted vehicle for administering this meaningful endowment. Their expertise and dedication to making a positive impact in our community have been invaluable.

The ECCF is honored to collaborate with St. Leo Catholic School and the Elk County Catholic School system to help transform the lives of young students through access to education. The Gausman Family Scholarship Fund will provide much-needed support to families who believe in the value of a Catholic education and strive to provide their children with a solid foundation for lifelong success. When talking about the importance and commitment of catholic education in the Gausman family, William’s niece and executrix of his estate, Karen Yonker, commented “My uncle and his siblings all attended St. Leo School as did many of their children and grandchildren.  At one time, there was a period of 50 consecutive years where there was a Gausman family member attending St. Leo’s, oftentimes several in various grades.”

“We are thrilled to announce the establishment of this fund, which will have a transformative impact on the lives of students at St. Leo Catholic School,” said Jeff Marzella, Vice President of the Elk County Community Foundation. “Thanks to the unwavering commitment of St. Leo Catholic School and the Elk County Catholic School system, we can help make a lasting influence on the lives of students in our community.”

The ECCF welcomes contributions from individuals, organizations, and businesses who share the belief in the transformative power of education. Donations to the Gausman Family Scholarship Fund can be made directly to the Elk County Community Foundation.

For more information about the Elk County Community Foundation, please visit www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

The Elk County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and enhancing the quality of life in Elk County, PA. By connecting generous donors with local causes, the ECCF provides resources to support impactful initiatives in education, health and human services, arts and culture, community development, and more.

Photo: L to R: Sam MacDonald, President of ECCSS; Lynne Kucenski, Principle of St. Leo Catholic School; Karen Yonker representing the Gausman Family; and Jeff Marzella, Vice President of the Elk County Community Foundation