Donor Advisors for a Day

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By Amy Cherry
Staff Writer for The Daily Press

Three area residents recently had the opportunity to act as “Donor Advisors for a Day” by delegating funding to the organization of their choice through a program sponsored by the Elk County Community Foundation.

The event was designed to give community members in attendance at the Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, held on March 24 at the Central Hose Company along North Broad Street in Ridgway, a chance to “advise” the organization on three $500 grants to a non-profit agency of their choice.

The funding for the grants was taken from the Foundation’s Fund for the Future.

Among the chosen donor advisors were Michael Buchheit of Ridgway, Bob Roberts and Mary Agnes Marshall, of St. Marys.

Buchheit chose to split his grant up to two different organizations. Mary Beth Kucenski accepted a $250 donation for the American Red Cross of Elk and Cameron counties, while Mary Lynn Bellotti accepted a $250 for the YMCA, located in Ridgway.

Buchheit explained that he chose the Red Cross because they assisted his family when his father passed away in locating his sons, Major Frank Buchheit and Capt. Nick Buchheit, who were deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Red Cross helped in bringing the soldiers home for their grandfather’s funeral and burial services.

“I chose the YMCA because it does a lot for the people in the town and I enjoy going there when I can,” Buchheit said.

According to Kucenski the Red Cross grant will be utilized for its general operating funds, specifically to provide services such as military services, disasters response and to maintain their community education programs.

“When we received the donation we were totally ecstatic, because we’re putting it into our summer camp program, Bellotti said regarding the YMCA’s grant. “I like to give this back to the community, to the kids, as it was given to us by the community because the youth is our future.”

According to Bellotti the daycamp program runs anywhere from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children participate in a variety of activities, crafts, swimming and field trips. Last year field trips were local due to lack of funding for transportation. This year there are 12-18 children, ages 6-12, enrolled in daycamp which runs Mondays through Friday for 11 weeks.

Roberts chose the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery as his beneficiary, as he is the president of the cemetery board.

“Our needs are greater than they have been in the past and we need the money,” Roberts said.

He noted the money will be utilized for maintenance and keeping the cemetery looking nice. Dick Friedl, cemetery board treasurer, accepted the $500 donation.

Mary Agnes Marshall, principal of St. Marys Catholic Middle School, was drawn as the final donor. She presented the $500 donation to Betsy Roberts, representing the St. Marys Christian Food Bank.

Betsy noted the grant will be put to good use at the food bank as more and more people are signing up for the food program.

Donors and representatives from the chosen organizations recently gathered at the Foundation to conduct an official check presentation

2010 Scholarships Awards

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The Elk County Community Foundation awarded a total of 85 scholarships to local students this year totaling $69,835.00 in scholarship funds. Graduating seniors from Elk County Catholic, St. Marys Area, Johnsonburg Area, Ridgway Area, Brockway Area, Dubois Area, and Kane Area were the recipients of these scholarships. Fourteen scholarships went Elk County Catholic, twenty-four to St. Marys Area, eleven to Johnsonburg Area, fifteen to Ridgway Area, two to Kane Area High School, three to Dubois Area and three to Brockway Area. Also, five additional scholarships were awarded to students who were already in attendance at a post secondary institution.

The dollars given to these students will impact generations to come as these young adults shape our communities. Donors who have established these scholarships are contributing to our future leaders. The Elk County Community Foundation Board extends their gratitude to those who have seen the need and believe in the youth of today. Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125. For a list of students who received awards click here.

Elk County Community Foundation Prepares for Granting Cycle

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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.

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. Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2010 and are available by calling the ECCF’s office at 834-2125 or via their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

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.

In 2009, over $22,000 was awarded to several organizations which include:

The St. Marys Economic Development Corporation for their Revolving Loan Program

Johnsonburg Area School District

Ridgway Area School District

St. Marys Area School District

Dickinson Mental Health Center

Guardian Angel Center and Helpmates

St. Marys Little League

The Salvation Army

Ridgway Boy Scouts

Vietnam Veterans Bucktail Chapter 720

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.

Dennis and Deborah Bonanno donor Advised Fund Awards Grants.

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The Jay Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Bennett’s Valley Senior Citizens recently received a grant for the Dennis and Deborah Bonanno Donor Advised Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation. Both organizations met with Paula Fritz Eddy, Executive Director of the Foundation to explain how their organization will use the funds.

The Jay Township Volunteer Fire Department is in the process of building an addition to their current facility. The Department first expanded in 1992, and then was redone after Hurricane Frances flooded the Department in September of 2004. President Richard Gavazzi informed us that the addition will be 2,550 sq. feet. Because of the new addition the Department’s emergency response time will decrease and will also become more efficient. Currently, for two emergency response vehicles to leave the garage, three other vechiles have to first be moved. With the new area, which will be a 2-bay garage, this will no longer be necessary. Also included in the addition will be an office and storage area. Room to clean the firefighter’s protective clothing is also planned. According to Gavazzi, the Department estimated finishing date is July 2010. Elk County Community Foundation granted the Jay Township Volunteer Fire Department $500 for the completion of the building project. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $165,000; they are still raising additional funds to help with the cost.

“Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way”, what was first said by Former President Abraham Lincoln is now the mantra for the Bennett’s Valley Senior Citizen’s Center. This is exactly what they have done. The Senior Citizens of Bennett’s Valley decided that they needed a better facility for their center. That dream is coming true. The project was started in March of 2007. Due to the age of the current facility, which is located in a 107 year old church, it was determined that a new facility was needed. The new location of the Bennett’s Valley Senior Citizen’s Center will be 149 Plum Street, located next to St. Joe’s Terrace. President Dolores Youngmark stated that the new facility will be roughly 3000 sq. feet, have a commercial kitchen, storage areas, washer/dryer units, and a multipurpose room which can be used for exercise, get-togethers, etc, and a reception area that will carry a capacity of approximately 99 people. Thus far, the Center has accumulated $500,000 for the building project and interior. Contributing to this is a $500 grant from the Elk County Community Foundation. “We are fortunate, in Elk County, to have these people”, stated Youngmark when referencing the Foundation. Also aiding in the project is the USDA and the Agency on Aging. Ground break is still to be announced, however the Center is hoping for sometime in October of 2010. They are also still raising additional funds to help with the project.

Both of these grants were made possible through the Elk County Community Foundation from the Dennis and Deborah Bonanno Donor Advised Fund. Anyone interested in creating their own Donor Advised Fund should contact Paula Fritz Eddy at 814-834-2125 at the Foundation office.

The Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 Establishes New Fund

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The Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 recently established a fund at the Elk County Community Foundation. This new fund will be used to support the work of the Chapters new Youth Outdoor Committee. The Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 Youth Outdoor Committee plans to provide a safe and quality outdoor oriented adventure for youth with a life-threatening illness or a severely limiting physical condition. The adventure may include various hunting, fishing, or other suitable and available outdoor event or activity. Candidates will be selected from Elk and surrounding counties. The organization is in the start up phases and hopes to raise enough funding to have their first adventure in 2011. Anyone may donate to this fund to help us reach our goal of $100,000. Send check to the Elk County Community Foundation FBO PF Youth Outdoor Fund, 111 Erie Avenue, PO BOX 934, St. Marys, PA 15857. Contact Jane Bryndel for more information at janebryndel@msn.com.

The Elk County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. For the Pheasant Forever Chapter their cause is youth who love the out of doors but for what ever reason the out of doors opportunities are limited to them. To learn more about establishing a fund or how anyone can support the good works the many organizations in the community contact Paula Fritz Eddy at the Elk County Community Foundation office by calling at 834-2125 or contacting them through their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.