Chamber awards Businesses of the Year

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The St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce recognized the 2010 Businesses of the Year during the organization’s 27th annual dinner held Saturday evening at the Red Fern.
Northwest Savings Bank and The Elk County Community Foundation took home top honors in the large and small business categories, respectively. Runners-up included Community Nurses, Inc. (large) and the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home (small).
Chamber of Commerce President Mark Jacob welcomed everyone to the event and provided an invocation and highlights from the organization’s various events and activities which took place during 2010.
Business winners were determined through a rigorous voting process in which members of the Chamber’s board of directors rated each nominee on a scale of 1-5 in nine separate categories. Nominations for Business of the Year candidates were accepted from any Chamber business member and were submitted by business owners, employees and patrons.
In presenting the awards, Jacob provided a brief overview of the winning businesses, as well as their accolades and achievements.
“This was a difficult task, as there were many nominees, all worthy of praise for their accomplishments and giving to the community,” Jacob said.
As the small Business of the Year winner, the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010 and has granted over $1.2 million to the community throughout its existence. Currently, the organization manages 69 permanent charitable funds to improve the quality of life in local communities. Revenues from these funds provide grants and scholarships to non-profit organizations in accordance with donors’ wishes.
The ECCF office staff consists of two part-time employees and is overseen by a 14-member board of community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to ensure the foundation’s mission is accomplished. As part of that mission, ECCF aims toward strengthening the region through development, stewardship and grant-making as donors achieve their philanthropic goals.
“We connect people who care with causes that matter,” stated Paula Fritz Eddy, ECCF executive director, in the nomination form. “Our real business is helping people, families, groups and businesses to be philanthropic or charitable.”
Also in 2010, ECCF was awarded the Pennsylvania Agency of Non-Profit Organization’s (PANO) Standards of Excellence, for which the foundation underwent a review from a jury of its peers who studied its programs, services, management, fundraising and financial practices, as well as various ethics and accountability factors. The ECCF is one of only 55 organizations in Pennsylvania to be certified under this program, which began in 2002.
Northwest Savings Bank received the large Business of the Year award at the dinner. In 2010, the bank was awarded the JD Powers Customer Satisfaction Award. Established in 1896, the bank currently employees 33 individuals in the St. Marys area. It is involved with a large variety of area organizations throughout the community, and to which the bank’s employees dedicate a significant amount of time as volunteers.
The Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home, Inc. was the runner-up in the small Business of the Year category.
Community Nurses, Inc. was the runner-up in the large Business of the Year category.

Article by Amy Cherry, St. Marys Daily Press

New Fund Established to Support Catholic Education

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The Elk County Community Foundation recently met with two family members of Harold C. Lenze to finalize the creation of a new Fund at the Foundation. The Harold C. and Marguerite M. Lenze Tuition Assistance Fund for the St. Marys Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools(SMCEMS) will provide tuition assistance for families in need regardless of income.

Both Harold and Marguerite “Midge” have been long time supporters of Catholic education in our community. Harold made provisions in his estate plans to provide funding for this purpose. They chose to come to the Elk County Community Foundation to ensure that funds will be available to the schools for tuition assistance for generations to come. Shortly after Harold passed away in June, the Foundation was notified of his gift.

“Harold was a planner with his head and a giver with his heart” said his wife, Midge. She went on to explain how he achieved balance in his giving, both with his head and his heart, to ensure his dollars were used wisely.

Mary Agnes Marshall and Mary Meyer, the supervising principal and advancement director of SMCEMS respectively, Paula Fritz Eddy, the Foundation’s executive director, and Harold’s niece Janet VanEerden joined Midge at the Village Peddler to celebrate this generous gift.

Mary Agnes commented on the donation, “Harold’s gift to the Foundation complements our endowed funds to help ensure there will always be Catholic education in St. Marys. More tuition assistance means more help for our families. Words cannot adequately express our schools’ appreciation for Harold’s contribution.” Mary also commented, “We have always been very grateful to Harold and Midge for their generosity to our schools over the years. For Harold to leave a final, significant gift through his estate is heartwarming.”

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. The Harold C. and Marguerite M. Lenze Tuition Assistance Fund for the St. Marys Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools is one of 69 different funds the Foundation manages. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Paula at the Foundation for more information either by calling 814-834-2125 or visiting its new website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.
Pictured from L to R

Sitting Janet VanEerden, Midge Lenze and Paula Fritz Eddy

Standing are Mary Agnes Marshall and Mary Meyer

St. Marys Area EDC Receives Grant

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The Elk County Community Foundation recently completed their Annual Granting Cycle from the Elk County Economic and Community Development Fund. The Foundation’s Board of Directors met, discussed, and approved grants to several local agencies to complete projects demonstrating worthwhile causes for our community. One of the grants given was to the St. Marys Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for their Revolving Loan Program. This grant was for $9000 will they will use as matching dollars for their Revolving Loan program. The Foundation has partnered with the St. Marys EDC for over 10 years funding their efforts to assist industry and businesses through low interest loan programs created to promote economic growth with in our community.

This year the St. Marys EDC celebrates 25 years of providing low interest loans to area businesses. Since its inception, in 1985 , the ECD has funded 69 projects worth over $44 million through thier revolving local program. Currently there are 17active loans funded with 2 more projects in process. The main source of funding for the ECD is the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG). Over the years, the EDC has received 5 grants worth $444,000 from the RBEG. Matching funds are required for all of the monies from the USDA. Among the sources of matching funds, the St. Marys EDC received grantsd from the Elk County Community Foundation, the City of St. Marys, Local Economic Development Assistance program(LEDA), and Walmart.

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, the Elk County Community Foundation has awarded nearly $160,000 so far this year. With these grants the Foundation has put nearly $1.2 million dollars back in to the Elk County Area, with more granting opportunities anticipated before years end.

Pictured are from Right to Left: From the St. Marys EDC are Gwen Auman, Board Vice President, Leo Ehrensberger Board Treasurer, Valery Weis Executive Director and from the Elk County Community Foundation, Paula Fritz Eddy, Executive Director.

Foundation Administers Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship

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High School Graduations are just around the corner and for the Elk County Community Foundation, (ECCF) that means scholarships will soon be awarded to area students. Organizer of the Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship decided to seek the help of the Foundation when searching for applicants for their award.

Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship sponsored by RVFD & Friends will be one of the ECCF’s 37 different scholarship funds that they administer. The Foundations will distribute nearly $74,500 in scholarship grants to area students in 2011. Each scholarship is unique to the field of study, eligibility and community it serves. This year the Foundation has the honor to administer a scholarship that has been helping Ridgway students for over 30 years, and has just recently come the Elk County Community Foundation. The Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship will provide a $500 to a student who reside in the Ridgway Area School District, attending either RAHS or ECCHS and who are active in their school and community.

This scholarship has been awarded since Dick Fava unexpected passing in the late 80’s. Dick was a very active member of the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department. He was a fire fighter as well as a member of the Rescue Squad helping people in need when ever called upon. Dick had a strong desire to see that his children and all kids had the opportunity to go to college and have successful life. For that reason, when Dick unexpectedly passed away at 42, his family, friends and fellow fire fighters decided to set up this scholarship in his memory, to fulfill his wishes. His wife Sue and son Joe live in Ridgway and his daughter Lori and family live in Kersey. Dick helped many people in many ways and that is what his family and friends want to do. They are proud to be able to offer this scholarship in Dick Fava’s memory.

The Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department and friends have administered the scholarship over the years but thought that since that is what the Community Foundation does, they should take advantage of their expertise. In honor and memorial donations can be accepted into this fund to help the scholarship grant grow. Simply send a check to the Elk County Community Foundation/Dick Fava Fund at P.O. Box 934, St. Marys, PA 15857

In addition to the dollars this student will receive from the Dick Fava Memorial Scholarship fund, he/she may receive matching dollars from PHEAA through the PATH (Partners for Access To Higher Education) program. As one of only 35 approved organizations that are PATH partners, the Elk County Community Foundation will submit each student who receives one of the scholarships that they administer to PHEAA for additional matching funding. To be eligible, the student must be enrolled in an approved Pennsylvania College or career school and be PHEAA approved. Last year, students that received ECCF scholarships received over $29,000 in additional grants. This is one of the reasons that many donors come to the Foundation to establish their scholarships. This program can potentially double their scholarship award through the PATH program.

The Community Foundation also assists donors who have an interest in starting a scholarship fund, whether as a general purpose or in the memory of a deceased family member or friend. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the foundation for further information on the matter or check out their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com .

32 South St Marys Street, Suite 4, P.O. Box 934 – Saint Marys, PA 15857 – Phone: 814-834-2125 – Fax: 814-834-2126 – Email: eccf@windstream.net

Women Who Care Awards Inaugural Grants

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By

Amy Cherry

WWC members present representatives from area organizations with checks for their community-based projects. Shown, left to right, are: Paula Fritz Eddy, ECCF executive director, presenting a check to CAPSEA Executive Director Billie Jo Weyant; WWC steering committee member Doris Stackpole presenting a check to Sam McDonald of ERHC; and Capt. Scott Harvey of the Salvation Army receiving a check from Carole Harshbarger, WWC steering committee member.

The Women Who Care (WWC) organization, a project of the Elk County Community Foundation, awarded inaugural grants during the organization’s recent Annual Membership event. Formed by a group of nine women in February 2009, WWC began as a philanthropic membership giving circle that provides a vehicle for nonprofit organizations to apply for funds in order to strengthen the quality of life for families in local communities. The organization pools its funds, which supply the initial investment for projects in Elk County.

As part of the event, the organization’s 96 members had an opportunity to vote for the project they felt was most important to the community. Voting was conducted following the dinner portion of the event. Members not attending the event cast an absentee ballot. The four applicants whose projects were eligible for grants were Citizens Against Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse, Inc. (CAPSEA); Elk Regional Health Center (ERHC); Girl Scouts of Western PA; and the Salvation Army.

After the votes were tallied, CAPSEA and the Salvation Army were awarded their full request, while ERHC was awarded a partial grant. A total of $12,000 was distributed in all. At the beginning of the event, representatives from each organization provided a brief presentation about their organization’s project.
CAPSEA was awarded $6,000 to replace worn and outdated carpeting in their shelter and offices with new “eco-friendly” carpeting to benefit victims and children who receive services. The total cost of their project is $7,000.
Billie Jo Weyant, CAPSEA’s executive director, said the organization is “in desperate need” of new carpeting.

ERHC was awarded $3,000 for a new stereotactic breast biopsy table costing $94,500. This new equipment will replace the current biopsy process, which involves renting a mobile unit that visits ERHC’s St. Marys campus three days a month. “We are glad to have a full-time dedicated unit here,” said Sam McDonald, ERHC business and fund development manager. McDonald added the new table will allow for patients to undergo a continuum of care as part of the digital mammography program, which he said began in July. The table will be used to provide biopsies of breast lumps.

The Salvation Army was awarded $3,000 for its 2011 King’s Table community meal program, which serves approximately 2,900 people each year. This program offers a safety-net service to those unable to make ends meet at the end of each month and is the only one of its kind in the area. In 2010, the organization expects to spend $5,500 for the direct cost of the program.
Captain Scott Harvey of the Salvation Army, based in Ridgway, said the program has been offered in the area since May 2007. There is no requirement necessary for visitors to obtain a meal. He said a majority of the patrons are from Ridgway, with some from Johnsonburg and a few from St. Marys. Meals are served at 5 p.m. the last five weekdays of the month for 10 months. There are between 60-80 people who attend each night.

The Girl Scouts project was not funded. They requested $6,000 to support the “Challenge and Change: Challenge Yourself, Change the World” program, a national teen leadership program developed for Girl Scouts of the USA to help girls develop confidence and leadership skills without the competition of boys. The program helps girls learn how to become positive change-makers while they envision and start long-term community service projects. The total cost of the proposed project is $9,000.

The WWC Grants Committee recommended the four charitable organizations for this year’s grant award after reviewing all grant applications. “The event was well-attended. We were pleased with the turnout,” said Paula Fritz Eddy, Community Foundation executive director. WWC members were encouraged to bring a guest or potential member to the event. Eddy emphasized that new members are welcome and are an important part of the organization. In addition, gift baskets and prizes were awarded at the event. Any woman who has donated to the WWC fund is considered a member. There are various levels of membership. More information about membership levels and membership applications may be found online at www.elkcountycommunityfoundation.com [3]. The commitment deadline to become a member is Dec. 31, with payments due by June 30, 2011.