30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 202
Montgomery, NY 12549
Ph: (845) 769-9393
Fax: (845) 769-9391

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December 31, 2008

Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-769-9393


Walden Savings Bank makes $5,000 Donation to John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB)

Montgomery, NY – Walden Savings Bank has made a $5,000 gift to the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB).   The Fund was created in early 2007 by Walden Savings Bank in memory of John D. Garrison, the former President of Walden Savings Bank.  According to David Cocks, President of Walden Savings, “John was a fine community leader and businessperson.  His goodness, kindness, and caring touched so many that it was only appropriate to create a lasting way to remember John.  Walden Savings Bank is proud to make another substantial gift to this endowment fund that will provide scholarships to students forever.”

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Seven $500 scholarships were awarded earlier in 2008 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB).   Each recipient was evaluated on his or her good character, community service involvement, and his or her desire to pursue a career in business, finance, or education.   2008 Recipients were Kheetah Koutouan who graduated from Cornwall Central High School and is attending SUNY Oswego; Samantha Pagano who graduated from Marlboro Central High School and is attending Post University; Brenda Rosas who graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and is attending SUNY Orange; Joseph Mansfield who graduated from Pine Bush Central High School and is attending SUNY Fredonia; Sinead Kirnan who graduated from Valley Central High School and is attending Seton Hall University, Jonathan Davis who graduated from Wallkill Central High School and is attending Morehouse College; and Nancy Badi who graduated from Washingtonville Central High School and is attending SUNY New Paltz.

The Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan helps individuals, businesses, and organizations establish permanent Charitable Funds that will makes grants or scholarships in a donor’s name, your family’s name, or the name of your business.  Eighty-five charitable funds have been created since 2000.  Those charitable funds have awarded more than one million dollars in grants and scholarships, and over four million dollars in pass-through grants in the areas of land preservation, education, health/human services, youth development, the arts and culture.  Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan indicated, “Donors establish charitable funds for the things they care about.  It’s simple and cost effective.  It costs nothing to create a charitable fund and only 1% annually for the Community Foundation to administer a fund.”  To contribute to the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB)or to establish your own charitable fund, contact Karen VanHouten at 769-9393 (vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.) or www.cfoc-ny.org. 


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November 25, 2008

Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-769-9393


Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Annual Reception Honored President’s Circle Members and Robert Onofry, Esq.

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan honored those who make a difference and members of its President’s Circle on November 19th.  The event also honored long term board member Robert Onofry, Esq., Orange County Surrogate Court Judge-elect.

Approximately 200 people attended to hear about the work of the Community Foundation.  The Reception was held at the beautifully renovated (and renamed) Graham M. Skea Parks and Recreation Center at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery.

Covering for County Executive Ed Diana, Jim O’Donnell, Orange County Administrative Officer, delivered glowing remarks from the County Executive on the work of the Community Foundation.  Jonathan Rouis, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature also praised the Community Foundation for expanding its work into Sullivan County.  RJ Smith (President of the Community Foundation), Linda Padden (representative of the Women’s University Club Endowment Fund), and Lloyd Waldemar (representative of the Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen endowment Fund) spoke about the Community Foundation’s charitable services.  Karen VanHouten, Executive Director, spoke about the new charitable endowment funds created this past year and how they will benefit our community forever.   

The lead sponsors for this event were Riverside Bank, Provident Bank, Empire State Bank, Crystal Run Healthcare, and M&T Bank and Charitable Foundation.  Other sponsors included TD Banknorth, Walden Savings Bank, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley, Jack Berkowitz CPA, Central Hudson Gas & Electric; Goldstein, Lieberman & Co. LLC; Hudson Valley Investment Advisors LLC; Knack, Pavloff & Company LLP; and Orange Regional Medical Center

The Community Foundation handles all the details involved in setting up and administering charitable funds, therefore it is an easy and effective way to make the most of business donations and individual charitable donations too.  To learn more about the work of the Community Foundation or to receive invitations for future events, please call (845) 769-9393 or email Karen VanHouten at vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org


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November 11, 2008

Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-769-9393


AS AMERICAN AS PUMPKIN PIE

To Americans, November is arguably the most important month of the year. In the first week of November, we turn our attention to electing officials and, in the third week, we celebrate Thanksgiving and our nation’s beginnings. Between those two meaningful occasions is a third event that is equally American in spirit and equally deserving of attention, albeit less universally recognized – Community Foundations Week.
Community foundations, like elections and Thanksgiving, are the backbone of our society. They identify and address problems that afflict our communities by supporting activities of nonprofit organizations that improve the lives of community residents. Like communities themselves, programs supported by community foundations are varied and diverse, targeting health and human services, the environment, the arts, and education.
In the past year, the Community Foundation made nearly 100 grants to nonprofits or scholarships to students totaling $297,066.  In addition the Community Foundation facilitated over $4,000,000 in pass-through grants.  On November 19th, the Community Foundation’s Annual Report will appear as a supplement in the Times Herald-Record.  We hope you will take the time to review the Report and the impact of the Community Foundation and its component donor funds on our local communities.  
The beauty of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, and all community foundations, is that virtually no one is excluded from contributing to a community’s betterment. You need not be wealthy to have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a positive difference in the lives of people in your town. And, the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan makes it easy for you to support your particular area(s) of interest. Almost any type of asset – cash, stock, real estate, artwork – can be contributed to create a donor fund at the community foundation. And, you can choose from a variety of giving vehicles – including donor-advised funds, field-of-interest funds, scholarship funds, and designated agency funds.  The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan can advise you on how best to maximize your contribution, no matter its size.
It’s November, so enjoy the richness of our American heritage.  Give thanks and support the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and/or create a charitable fund of your own within the Community Foundation to directly support, forever, the causes that are important to you.


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August 15, 2008
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-769-9393

Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Establishes Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Fund

Jim Nolan, Tuskegee Treasurer; Karen VanHouten, Community Foundation Director; Linda Waldemar, Tuskegee Asst. Treasurer; Quincy Magwood, National Tuskegee Board Member and local Tuskegee Chapter member; and Lloyd Waldemar, Tuskegee Member.

 

The Maj. Gen. Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. has established the Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Endowment Fund within the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.  

The Tuskegee Airmen story covers events beginning with the struggle to establish the opportunity for Black men to train and fight in military aviation, followed by the circumstances surrounding the training and the combat performance of these airmen, and finally the continued struggle after World War II for fair treatment and equal opportunities, which led the way to integration in the armed forces.

Retired Maj. Gen. Irene Trowell-Harris, the local chapter’s namesake raised herself up from picking cotton in the fields of South Carolina to a top position in the U.S. Air Force.  Chapter president, Lt. Col. Glen Fraser has been at the forefront in creating the Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Endowment Fund on behalf of The Maj. Gen. Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc.  The Chapter has begun raising money toward their goal of $250,000 to further the organization’s tuition assistance program for young men and women throughout the Hudson Valley.  For the past nine years the chapter has awarded over $90,000 in tuition assistance to college bound freshmen from the Hudson Valley.  Assisting in the fundraising process are many community leaders who firmly believe in the goals of the chapter and its purpose.  “This is an incredible group of leaders from a cross-section of the Hudson Valley that truly believe in the mission of the Tuskegee Airmen chapter,” said chapter president Glen Fraser.  To date, 10% of the goal has been raised.  On August 6th, members of the Maj. Gen. Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. delivered a check for $25,000 to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan to establish the HudsonValleyTuskegee Airmen Endowment Fund.  DEMIC SESSIONS PROVIDING TUTORING FOR SCHOOL WORK, MENTORING,
To make a contribution to the Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Endowment Fund, please make checks payable to CFOS - Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Endowment Fund, and mail to:  Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Montgomery, NY 12549 or donate through the Foundation’s website at www.cfoc-ny.org.

The Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan helps individuals, businesses, and organizations establish permanent Charitable Funds that award grants and scholarships forever.  Over 80 charitable funds have been created since 2001 that have awarded more than $1 million in grants in the areas of land preservation, education, health/human services, youth development, the arts and culture.  Simple and cost effective, it costs nothing to establish a fund and the Foundation charges a modest fee annually to administer the fund.  For more information, contact Karen VanHouten at 769-9393 or www.cfoc-ny.org.  To contribute to the Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Endowment Fund or to establish your own charitable fund in the name of your family or business, contact the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.


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August 5, 2008
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-769-9393

Over $90,000 Awarded In Scholarships Through The Community Foundation Of Orange And Sullivan

In 2008, sixty-six students received scholarships totaling $91,060 from endowed scholarship funds administered through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

The following scholarships were awarded as follows:

Cornwall High SchoolCornwall, NY:
John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Kheetah Koutoan - $500

Edward C. Moulton, Jr. Scholarship Fund

  • Julie Raphael - $250

Chester High School - Chester, NY:
Rudolph Vallet Science & Education Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Jessica Lakis – $1,250
  • Michael Rosenberg - $1,250

Goshen High SchoolGoshen, NY:
Erin Ortiz Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Arielle Deborah Goyzueta - $500
  • John Anthony Fasano - $500

Joshua Stamm Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Lauren Mance - $1,000

Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery High School - Highland Falls, NY:
Abraham and Judith and Jonathan R. Kopald Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Samantha Estey – $1,000
  • Brandi Ripa - $1,000

Marlboro High School - Marlboro, NY:
John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Samantha Pagano - $500

Middletown High School - Middletown, NY:
Jennifer Newton Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Amanda Lubniewski - $1,000

David E. Phillips Music Scholarship Fund

  • Matthew Gewing – $300

Minisink High School - Slate Hill, NY:
Ian Bennett/Situation Cares Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Christian Frahme – $1,000

Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation and Arts Institute Fund

  • Thomas J. Ciccone - $500
  • Kathryn Gulak - $500
  • Joseph Casabona - $250

Newburgh Free Academy – Newburgh, NY:
John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Brenda Rosas - $500

Pine Bush High School – Pine Bush, NY:
John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Joseph Mansfield - $500

John C. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Michael Owney - $500

Pine Bush Alumni Scholarship Fund

  • Katherine Townley - $500

Michelle Renee Bratton Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Kateri Gormely - $2,500

Scott F. Coen Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Joseph Mansfield - $300

Isadore “Stitch” Wittenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Emily Kister – $200

Port Jervis High School – Port Jervis, NY:
Oscar B. Greenleaf Scholarship Fund –
(each student will receive $2,500 per year for four years):

  • Adam Kowal - $2,500
  • Elizabeth Schneider - $2,500
  • Austin Smith - $2,500
  • Giovanna Steinhaus - $2,500

Valley Central High SchoolMontgomery, NY:
John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Sinead Kirnan - $500

John Mazur Memorial Scholarship Fund

  1. Adrienne Lindine - $2,000
  2. Chelsea Michella - $2,000
  3. Kara Heard - $2,000
  4. Nicole Commaso - $2,000

Corinne Feller Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Michael Lynch - $2,000

Wallkill High School - Wallkill, NY:
John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Jonathon Davis - $500

Warwick High SchoolWarwick, NY:
John P. Williamson Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Daniel Prial - $1,000
  • James Hurley - $1,000

Anthony C. Quinn Memorial Scholarship

  • Amy Connors - $500
  • Samantha Metzger - $500

Washingtonville High SchoolWashingtonville, NY:
John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Nancy Badi - $500

Jonathan George Memorial Fund

  • Meaghan Sacco - $3,000

Washingtonville V World Trade Center Firefighters Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Matthew Bucco - $500
  • Christina Donaldson - $500
  • Danielle Larregui - $500
  • Kelsey Jennings - $500
  • Jason Smith - $500

In addition, the following endowment funds awarded scholarships as follows:

Bethel High School - Bethel, Connecticut:       
RJM Super Star Scholarship Fund

  • Colleen Mello – $1,000
  • Charles McGarvie - $1, 000

Spencer McLaughlin Scholarship Fund:

  • James Kimiecik (SUNY Orange) - $960

Keith B. Hayes Foundation:

  • James Caldera (Ramapo College) - $1,800

Firefighter Thomas J. Foley Memorial Scholarship
(each student will receive $2,000 per year for four years):

  • Timothy Conboy - $2,000
  • Katherine Maxwell - $2,000
  • Lauren Knabbe - $2,000
  • Meaghan Morrissey - $2,000
  • Thomas King - $2,000

These scholarship funds are facilitated through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, a 501(c)(3) public charity that was created to help individuals, organizations, and businesses establish charitable endowments within their community.  To create your own charitable endowment, or to add to an existing named endowment, contact the Community Foundation, Karen VanHouten, at (845) 769-9393 or e-mail vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.


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February 27, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Michell Speight

The Dyson Foundation
845.677.0644

The Dyson Foundation Awards Grants To Community Foundation Of Orange County

Chester, NY The Community Foundation of Orange County has received a $20,000 grant from the Dyson Foundation for general operating support, and a $3,000 Management Assistance Mini-Grant for developing a marketing and communications plan.  Speaking for the Dyson Foundation, Senior Program Officer Michell Speight said, “The Foundation’s Directors are delighted to award these grants and join me in wishing the Community Foundation every continuing success in expanding philanthropy throughout Orange and Sullivan Counties, and the wider region.”

The Dyson Foundation is a private grant making foundation headquartered in Dutchess County and directed by the Dyson family under the leadership of Foundation President Robert R. Dyson.  The Dyson Foundation’s mission is to “improve and enhance the quality of life in the region for all of its residents, especially those most vulnerable or economically disadvantaged,” said Dyson.  “The Dyson Foundation supports the work of community foundations because community foundations assist individuals, businesses, and local organizations in creating permanent, charitable endowment funds which, like the Dyson Foundation, enhance the quality of life throughout our region.”

In 2006, The Dyson Foundation awarded grants of over $18 million to a wide variety of non-profit organizations supporting the arts, medicine, education, children’s welfare and health, HIV/AIDS prevention and patient support and assistance to immigrants, among other program areas.

Founded in 1999 through the vision of the Orange County Citizens Foundation, the Community Foundation is an effective and innovative giving vehicle that combines maximum tax savings and flexibility with the opportunity to make a difference locally.  By “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” the Community Foundation affords opportunities to donors who want to create individual charitable funds that will support our community well into the future,” said Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.  “By their very nature, Community Foundations are designed to have a significant impact on the population of the region that they serve.  In just over six years we have been able to build a solid base of charitable funds.  This grant from the Dyson Foundation affirms our work to continue helping individuals, organizations, and businesses establish more charitable funds that will have a significant impact on our communities,” VanHouten added.  In 2005-2006 the Community Foundation awarded over $252,000 in grants to support local nonprofit organizations and scholarships to students.

For more information, please contact Karen VanHouten at the Community Foundation of Orange County at 845-469-4469.


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March 12, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Raising Money For Corinne Feller Scholarships And Raising Awareness Of Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

Chester, NY When Corinne Feller passed away from ovarian cancer in 1999, her family decided to establish two charitable funds to celebrate her life and honor her memory forever. 

They established within the Community Foundation of Orange County the Corinne Feller Scholarship Fund to award scholarships and the Corinne Feller Memorial Fund to raise awareness of the signs of ovarian cancer.  To that end, the Feller family has rallied around these causes. 

Each year, the Feller family holds annual fundraisers for these two charitable funds in honor of Corinne --- a basketball tournament (one of Corinne’s favorite sports) to raise money for the scholarship fund --- and a race in previous years and now, women’s health seminars and other events, to raise awareness of the disease.  They have now organized their own group of ovarian cancer survivors called C.A.S.T. (Cancer Awareness Survivors Team) who are trained to speak to women’s groups about the symptoms of the disease and conduct presentations in the Hudson Valley about once a month.

Founded in 1999 through the vision of the Orange County Citizens Foundation, the Community Foundation is an effective and innovative giving vehicle that combines maximum tax savings and flexibility with the opportunity to make a difference locally.  By “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” the Community Foundation affords opportunities to donors who want to create individual charitable funds that will support our community well into the future,” said Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.  “By their very nature, Community Foundations are designed to have a significant impact on the population of the region that they serve.  In just over six years we have been able to build a solid base of charitable funds” VanHouten added.  In 2005-2006 the Community Foundation awarded over $252,000 in grants to support local nonprofit organizations and scholarships to students.

For more information, please contact Karen VanHouten at the Community Foundation of Orange County at 845-469-4469.


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 July 11, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Karen VanHouten of Highland, the Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties, is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Orange.

  Each year, a select group of individuals with a variety of backgrounds are chosen to participate in a 10-month leadership training program.  Class participants receive training on topics including education, health and human services, communications, government and politics, the environment, culture and recreation, economic development, leadership development and the judicial system.  The training enables community members to better understand the many challenges facing Orange County and, therefore, to better serve the community.


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 July 26, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Tom Sullivan Appointed as Community Foundation Director

The Community Foundation of Orange County, Inc. is pleased to announce its newest appointment to the Board of Directors, Tom Sullivan.  Sullivan is the Owner and President of Smith Seaman & Quakenbush, Inc. – Monroe, and is an active community volunteer for Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Sacred Heart Parish in Monroe, Mombasha Fire Company, the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Firefighters Museum, various Orange County and New York State Firemens’ and Fire Chiefs’ Associations, and the Orange, Rockland & Sullivan Counties Funeral Directors Association.  Tom has received numerous recognitions for his community service, including the United Way’s Marian S. Murphy “Neighbors helping Neighbors” Award, and the Hudson Valley Council Boys Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award.  Tom and his wife Janet live in Monroe and have two grown children, Daniel and Jill.   

Officers of the Foundation are RJ Smith, President, RJ Smith Realty as President; David Cocks, President, Walden Savings Bank, as Vice President - Finance, Gerald Jacobowitz, Esq., Jacobowitz and Gubits LL, as Vice President-Development; Derrik Wynkoop, VP of Retail Delivery, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union as Treasurer; William Vacca, Regional VP, Provident Bank as Secretary, and Anne Palmer Moss, VP of Development, Elant Foundation, Inc. as Assistant Secretary.

Other Board of Trustees include Chris Ashman, Orange County Commissioner of Mental Health, Goshen; Ann Barber Smith, Principal, Ann Barber Consulting, New Paltz; Debbie Bogdanski, V.P., Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery; Michael Bonura, General Manager, Anthony’s Pier 9, New Windsor; William Bratton, Technical Solutions Manager, IBM Global Services, Westtown; William Devitt, Sr. V.P. Investments, Merrill Lynch, Middletown; Dorothy Fein, Executive Director, Crystal Run Healthcare, Middletown; Katharine Fitzgerald, V.P, Provident Bank, Florida; Joanne Gross, Community Volunteer, Pine Bush;  David Hawkins, President, D.L. Hawkins Realty, Goshen; Sandy Leonard, Supervisor, Town of Monroe, Monroe;  Jonah Mandelbaum, President, MJJ Builders Corporation, Warwick; Howard Mills, Chief Advisor, Deloitte & Touche USA, LLP, New York; Robert Onofry, Esq., Cuddeback & Onofry – Port Jervis; Rolland Peacock III, V.P., TD Banknorth – Middletown; Josh Sommers, President, Focus Media Group – Monticello; and Joe Vanderhoof, President & Publisher, Times Herald-Record - Middletown.

The primary goal of the Community Foundation is to connect people who care with causes that matter.   “We achieve this goal with the help of a large volunteer support system of Board members and working committees.  Board members are selected because their professional spheres of influence are compatible with the needs of the Foundation,” said Board President RJ Smith.  “We are extremely fortunate to have many prominent and community-minded citizens lend their talents in cultivating, managing, and growing permanent charitable endowments on behalf of individuals, businesses, and organizations,” added Karen VanHouten, the Foundation’s Executive Director.

To learn more about the Community Foundation of Orange County (845) 469-4469, or visit www.cfoc-ny.org.       


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August 3, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Outstanding Area Students Receive $78,250 In ScholarshipsThrouh The Community Foundation Of Orange County

The following area high school students received scholarships through a number of charitable endowments managed by the Community Foundation of Orange County. 

CHESTER UNION FREE SCHOOL - Chester, NY
Maryalice DeAngelis and Thomas Burke received $1,250 eachfrom the Rudolph Vallet Memorial Science and Education Scholarship.   DeAngelis will study Education at SUNY Oneonta, and Burke will study Biological Studies at St. John’s University.

CORNWALL HIGH SCHOOLCornwall, NY
Salvatore Gigante received $500 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship and will attend Western New England College to major in Sports Management.   Carlene Meaney received $200 from the Cornwall Alumni Scholarship and will study Pre-Med at the University of Delaware.

JAMES I. O’NIELL HIGH SCHOOL – Highland Falls/Fort Montgomery, NY
Megan Krieger and Christos Constantinou received $1,000 each from the Abraham and Judith and Jonathan R. Kopald Memorial Scholarship.  Krieger will pursue a major in Athletic Training at Troy University to become an Athletic Trainer for a college sports team and Constantinou will pursue a major in Architecture, a five (5) year accredited program of Design and Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to pursue his Masters degree in Architecture.

MARLBORO HIGH SCHOOL – Marlboro, NY
Krysten Thomas received $500 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship and will attend Loyola University to pursue a major in Business. 

MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOLMiddletown, NY
Caroline Warren received $1,000 from the Jennifer Newton Memorial Scholarship and will attend Vassar College to pursue a major in English and Drama.

NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY – Newburgh, NY
Leonel Soriano received $500 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship and will attend Le Moyne College to pursue a major in Business. 

PINE BUSH HIGH SCHOOL – Pine Bush, NY
Sean Cloke received $500 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship and will attend Mount Saint Mary College to major in Finance.  James Northup received $300 from the Scott F. Coen Memorial Scholarship andwill attend SUNY Delhi to study Physical Education.  Rachael Sosnowski received $2,500 from the Michelle Renee Bratton Memorial Scholarship and will attend Stony Brook to study Pre-Med.  Magdalena Kura received $500 from the Pine Bush Alumni Scholarship and plans to study Economics at the University at Albany.  Christina Morrell received $200 from the Isadore “Stitch” Wittenberg Scholarship and plans to study Business at the College at Old Westbury.  Russell Wood received $500 from the John C. Smith Scholarship and plans to study Architecture at SUNY Orange.

Port Jervis High SchoolPort Jervis, NY
Four (4) recipients received $10,000 each from the Oscar B. Greenleaf Scholarship:
Lucas Behnke plans to study English at the University of Syracuse to become an Author.  Adam Derkacz plans to study Environmental Science at Elizabethtown College and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree.  McCallion Campbell plans to become a Mathematics Teacher and will attend Marist College and plans to pursue a degree in Teaching.  Brian Smith plans to study Aerospace Engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree.

WALLKILL HIGH SCHOOLWallkill, NY
Corey Fisher received $500 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship and will attend Iona to major in Education. 

Warwick Valley High School – Warwick, NY
Alexander Raynor and Terence Prial received $1,000 each from the John P. Williamson Memorial Scholarship.  Alexander plans to study Liberal Arts at SUNY Potsdam.  Terence plans to study Engineering at Columbia University to become an Engineer.  Daniel Tobin and Shannon Farrell received $500 each from the Anthony C. Quinn Memorial Scholarship.  Daniel will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology plans to pursue a major in Mechanical Engineering and Shannon will attend St. Michaels College to pursue a major in Journalism.

WASHINGTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL – Washingtonville, NY
Five (5) recipients received $500 each from the Washingtonville 5 Firefighters WTC Memorial Scholarship:

  • Amber Lomolino will attend SUNY Potsdam
  • Kathryn Kerley will attend Quinnipiac College
  • Micheal Gross will attend Siena College
  • Kimberly Shadwick will attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
  • Eliana Kurzum will attend Campbell University

Jaclyn Fitzgerald received $500 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship and will attend Marist College to major in Business and Communications.  Jennifer Guzman is the first recipient to receive $2,000 from the Jonathan George Memorial Scholarship and will attend SUNY Potsdam to pursue a major in the Arts.

VALLEY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOLMontgomery, NY
Jennifer Polesel received $500 from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship and will attend the Dublin Institute of Technology in Dublin, Ireland and plans to pursue a major in Business Management.  Lauren Feroli received $2,000 from the Corinne Feller Memorial Scholarship and will attend Renesslear Polytechnic Institute.

The following four (4) graduates received $2,000 each from the John Mazur Scholarship:
Christina Molnar plans to study Pre-Vet/Biology at College of St. Rose, Kayleigh Sullivan plans to study Nero Biology at Cornell University, Julie McPhillips plans to study Biology at Binghamton University, and Matthew Dami plans to study Biological Science at University of Vermont.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS
The following three (3) graduates received $2,000 each from the Rescue 3 9/11 Scholarship:
Megan Knabbe of Newburgh, NY plans to attend the College of St. Rose, Michael Morrissey of the Bronx, NY plans to Manhattan College, and Timothy Conboy of Montgomery, NY plans to attend SUNY Dutchess.

Bethel High SchoolBethel, CT
Amy Rowe and Chelsie Ouellette received $1,000 each from the RJM Super Star Scholarship.  Rowe plans to pursue a major in Secondary Education-English at Providence College and Ouellette to plans to pursue a major in Communications with a minor in Acting at Northeastern University.

In addition, the Community Foundation of Orange County recently established scholarships that are available to students in the following schools:

The Caitlin M. Hammaren Foundation for Minisink Valley High School students
The Jim Taravella Scholarship Fund for Monroe-WoodburyHigh School students
The David E. Phillips Music Scholarship Fund for MiddletownHigh School students
The Spencer McLaughlin Scholarship Fund for Orange County high school students entering at SUNY Orange as freshmen.

All high school applicants are encouraged to see their Guidance Counselors each January pertaining to a scholarship within their respective school district.

The above scholarship funds are facilitated through the Community Foundation of Orange County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that was established to encourage people to create charitable endowments within their community.  Each of these scholarship funds are just a few of the many charitable endowments that have been created within the Community Foundation.  To create your own named Fund, or to add to an existing Fund, contact the Community Foundation, Karen VanHouten, at (845) 469-4469 or e-mail vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.


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Sept. 5, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Community Foundation Of Orange County Changes Name, Expands Philanthropic Services Into Sullivan County

Monticello, N.Y. – Sept. 5, 2007 – The Community Foundation of Orange County recently announced that it will be expanding services into Sullivan County.  To reflect its expanded services, the foundation will also be changing its name to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

The expansion was announced Wednesday at a press conference at the Sullivan County Government Center.

“Through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, and the combined gifts of many people, permanent charitable funds will be created whose income will make grants that meet important community needs and leave a lasting legacy,” said Karen VanHouten, executive director of the newly christened Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

In the six years since the inception of the Community Foundation of Orange County, over 70 permanent charitable funds have been established by individuals, businesses and organizations. Those funds have provided over $850,000 in grants and scholarships.

“The Community Foundation should propel philanthropy to a new level in Sullivan County as individuals discover that giving in the county has become easier and more organized,” said R.J. Smith, president of the Board of Directors of the foundation. “The reality is that it is expensive to set up a private foundation. Donors are required to meet regulatory requirements, comply with federal guidelines and make appropriate IRS filings, among a myriad of other details. It is often difficult to determine what charities should receive grants.  We are here to assist donors in carrying out their charitable wishes, while relieving them of the administrative burdens,” he added.

“Educating the community that we are here to complement and support existing nonprofit organizations is critically important,” VanHouten said. “The Community Foundation will be available to existing nonprofits – and the donors who support those organizations – to establish permanent charitable funds that will provide a stream of income back to those organizations forever.”

“We all have a responsibility to give back to, and preserve, the communities we live in,” said Derrik Wynkoop, a foundation board member and treasurer. “What better way to do that than to help create a vehicle that pools and expands the area’s philanthropic resources to meet current and future challenges and opportunities. That’s what community foundations do and this is exciting to us.  As we expand the work of the Community Foundation, we are identifying key individuals in Sullivan County to assist us in this effort.”


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September 17, 2007

Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation Is Established

Chester, NY – Sept. 13, 2007 – The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation was recently created following Caitlin's tragic and senseless death on the morning of April 16, 2007 at Virginia Tech.  At 19 years old, Caitlin was just completing her sophomore year and was pursuing a double major in International Studies/Politics and Leadership, with a minor in French.  Her parents, Marian and Christian, along with family and friends, have established this Foundation as a way to keep the memory of Caitlin alive and vibrant.  The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation is a component charitable fund of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

Caitlin was an only child who lived in Westtown, New York.  She was well known within her local community, as well as the Virginia Tech community, for her smile, her warm personality, and her caring and nurturing nature.  While at Virginia Tech she was a Resident Advisor to 58 students whom she referred to as "her angels".  Caitlin frequently engaged in little acts of kindness, quietly and unobtrusively assisting or comforting those around her who she intuitively sensed were in need.  A friend attending Caitlin’s memorial service said, "Caitlin made everyone feel like they were her best friend".

Caitlin loved the Arts and during her short life was involved in many aspects of them.  She participated in the fine arts, she sang, played the violin, the theater and the Culinary Arts.   She was also an accomplished equestrian in the discipline of dressage.   To say that Caitlin lived each day to the fullest would be an understatement.  A close family friend described Caitlin as “mastering the art of living”.  Through The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation the family will continue those quiet little acts of kindness by assisting other young students through a scholarship fund.  Each year a graduate from Caitlin's alma mater, Minisink Valley High School, will receive a scholarship from the Foundation to help continue their pursuit of higher education.  Additionally, in the future, grants will be awarded from the Foundation that reflect Caitlin’s love for others and her passion for the Arts.

By bringing The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, the Hammaren Foundation will now able to focus on fundraising and its desire to award grants in Orange County for charitable causes that were important to Caitlin.   The Community Foundation manages charitable funds and handles all of the fiscal reporting and administration for each charitable fund under its umbrella, thereby keeping administration costs much lower than a private foundation, and allowing more dollars to flow toward grants and scholarships.

Contributions to The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation are welcome.   Donations can be made to CFOC-Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation and sent to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 23 White Oak Drive, Chester, NY 10918.   The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  All gifts are tax deductible under current tax laws.The Community Foundation can be reached by calling 469-4469. 

On October 5, 2007 the First Annual Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament will be held at High Point Golf Club.  Please contact Virginia or Dion Morrow at (845) 726-3984 or (845) 726-3822 for details. 


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October 11, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Community Foundation of Orange County and Sullivan Hosting Annual Reception November 29th Honoring Orange County Chamber of Commerce

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan will host its Annual Reception on
November 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the HarnessRacingMuseum and Hall of Fame of the Trotter in Goshen. 

The Community Foundation will honor the Orange County Chamber of Commerce for its significant contribution to the quality of life in Orange County by promoting business and philanthropy.

$20 per person.  Sponsorships are available.  Sponsor levels are Platinum ($2,000), Gold ($1,000), Silver ($500), and Bronze ($250).

The Community Foundation helps individuals, businesses and organizations establish permanent charitable funds that award grants and scholarships forever.  Over 70 charitable funds, created since 1999, have awarded more than $850,000 in grants in the areas of land preservation, education, health & human services, youth development, the arts and culture.  To learn more about the Community Foundation or the upcoming Annual Reception, call the Community Foundation at 469-4469 or e-mail Karen VanHouten at vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org. 


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December 26, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Richard O’Beirne and Dr. Patrick Michel Appointed to Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Board

Richard O’Beirne
 
Dr. Patrick Michel

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is pleased to announce its newest appointments to the Board of Directors:  Richard O’Beirne and Dr. Patrick Michel

Richard O’Beirne, President of Airport Properties, LLC, is a highly respected speaker, negotiator and management trustee.  O’Bierne is the chairman of the board of trustees of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.  He also serves on the board of trustees of Riverside Bank, the Orange County Partnership, and in an Emeritus status on the board of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. O’Beirne resides in Newburgh with his wife of 45 years, Chrystal.  They have five daughters and eight grandchildren.

Dr. Patrick Michel is Superintendent of Schools for the Monticello Central School District.  He has served in the Clarkstown, Hyde Park, Pine Bush, and Monroe-Woodbury school districts.  Dr. Michel is currently on the board of directors of the Sullivan County Partnership, the Middletown YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wallkill and Sullivan County, The Monticello Community that Cares Coalition, and the New York State Board of Parent Information and Resources Center.  Dr. Michel has also been involved with the Boy Scouts of America for the past 30 years.  He currently resides in Monticello with his wife Salvina of 21 years and their three children Joseph, James, and Katie.

Officers of the Foundation are RJ Smith, President, RJ Smith Realty as President; David Cocks, President, Walden Savings Bank, as Vice President - Finance, Gerald Jacobowitz, Esq., Jacobowitz and Gubits LLP, as Vice President-Development; Derrik Wynkoop, VP of Retail Delivery, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union as Treasurer; William Vacca, Regional VP, Provident Bank as Secretary, and Anne Palmer Moss, VP of Development, Elant Foundation, Inc. as Assistant Secretary.

Other directors include Chris Ashman, Orange County Commissioner of Mental Health, Goshen; Ann Barber Smith, Principal, Ann Barber Consulting, New Paltz; Debbie Bogdanski, General Manager, Frontier Communications, Middletown; Michael Bonura, General Manager, Anthony’s Pier 9, New Windsor; William Bratton, Technical Solutions Manager, IBM Global Services, Westtown; William Devitt, Sr. V.P. Investments, Merrill Lynch, Middletown; Dorothy Fein, Executive Director, Crystal Run Healthcare, Middletown; Katharine Fitzgerald, V.P, Provident Bank, Florida; Joanne Gross, Community Volunteer, Pine Bush;  David Hawkins, President, D.L. Hawkins Realty, Goshen; Sandy Leonard, Supervisor, Town of Monroe, Monroe;  Jonah Mandelbaum, President, MJJ Builders Corporation, Warwick; Howard Mills, Chief Advisor, Deloitte & Touche USA, LLP, New York; Robert Onofry, Esq., Cuddeback & Onofry – Port Jervis; Rolland Peacock III, V.P., TD Banknorth – Middletown; Josh Sommers, President, Focus Media Group – Monticello; Tom Sullivan, President, Smith Seaman and Quackenbush; and Joe Vanderhoof, President & Publisher, Times Herald-Record - Middletown.

The primary goal of the Community Foundation is to connect people who care with causes that matter.   “We achieve this goal with the help of a large volunteer support system of Board members and working committees.  Board members are selected because their professional spheres of influence are compatible with the needs of the Foundation,” said Board President RJ Smith.  “We are extremely fortunate to have many prominent and community-minded citizens lend their talents in cultivating, managing, and growing permanent charitable endowments on behalf of individuals, businesses, and organizations,” added Karen VanHouten, the Foundation’s Executive Director.

To learn more about the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (845) 469-4469, or visit www.cfoc-ny.org.


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September 7, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Michell Speight
The Dyson Foundation
845.677.0644

Dyson Foundation Awards Grant To Community Foundation Of Orange And Sullivan

Chester, NY - The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Dyson Foundation for general operating support and its initiative to expand philanthropy in Orange County. The grant will be payable over a two year period for fiscal years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Speaking for the Dyson Foundation, Director of Programs Michell Speight said, "The Foundation's Directors are delighted to award this grant to support philanthropy in Orange County, and they join me in wishing the Community Foundation every continuing success in expanding their philanthropic work throughout Orange and Sullivan Counties, and the wider region."

The Dyson Foundation is a private grant making foundation headquartered in Dutchess County and directed by the Dyson family under the leadership of Foundation President Robert R. Dyson. The Dyson Foundation's mission is to improve and enhance the quality of life in the region for all of its residents, especially those most vulnerable or economically disadvantaged,” said Dyson.  "The Dyson Foundation supports the work of community foundations because community foundations assist individuals, businesses, and local organizations in creating permanent, charitable endowment funds which, like the Dyson Foundation, enhance the quality of life throughout our region," said Speight.

In 2006, the Dyson Foundation awarded grants of over $18 million to a wide variety of non-profit organizations supporting the arts, medicine, education, children's issues, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, and assistance to immigrants, among other program areas.

Incorporated in 1999, the Community Foundation is an effective and innovative giving vehicle that combines maximum tax savings and flexibility with the opportunity to make a difference locally. "The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made it easy for Warren Buffett to accomplish his charitable objectives, and the Community Foundation makes it easy for people of all means to make a difference in their local community," said Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. "We offer a simple and cost effective way to create a charitable fund that operates much like a private foundation. This grant from the Dyson Foundation supports our work to continue helping individuals, organizations, and businesses establish more charitable endowment funds that will strengthen our communities forever," VanHouten added. The Community Foundation, since its inception, has awarded over $850,000 in grants and scholarships. For more information, please contact Karen VanHouten at the Community Foundation at 845-469-4469.


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December 26, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Awarded State Funding

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan has been awarded $35,000 in state funding to expand philanthropic services in Orange and Sullivan County.  The money will be used to provide services to existing and future donors who set up permanent charitable endowed funds through the Community Foundation.   The funding was secured by state Senator William J. Larkin, Jr.

The Community Foundation encourages individuals, businesses and organizations to establish permanent charitable funds which award grants to local nonprofit organizations and scholarships to students.   Since inception in 1999, the Community Foundation has established 75 charitable funds that have awarded over $877,000 in grants and scholarships throughout the local area.

The Community Foundation handles all the details involved in setting up and administering a charitable fund, therefore it’s an easy and cost-effective way to make the most of individual and corporate charitable donations.  To learn more, call Karen VanHouten at 469-4469 or email vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org


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December 26, 2007
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Richard O’Beirne and Dr. Patrick Michel Appointed to Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Board

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is pleased to announce its newest appointments to the Board of Directors:  Richard O’Beirne and Dr. Patrick Michel

Richard O’Beirne, President of Airport Properties, LLC, is a highly respected speaker, negotiator and management trustee.  O’Bierne is the chairman of the board of trustees of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.  He also serves on the board of trustees of Riverside Bank, the Orange County Partnership, and in an Emeritus status on the board of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. O’Beirne resides in Newburgh with his wife of 45 years, Chrystal.  They have five daughters and eight grandchildren.

Dr. Patrick Michel is Superintendent of Schools for the Monticello Central School District.  He has served in the Clarkstown, Hyde Park, Pine Bush, and Monroe-Woodbury school districts.  Dr. Michel is currently on the board of directors of the Sullivan County Partnership, the Middletown YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wallkill and Sullivan County, The Monticello Community that Cares Coalition, and the New York State Board of Parent Information and Resources Center.  Dr. Michel has also been involved with the Boy Scouts of America for the past 30 years.  He currently resides in Monticello with his wife Salvina of 21 years and their three children Joseph, James, and Katie.

Officers of the Foundation are RJ Smith, President, RJ Smith Realty as President; David Cocks, President, Walden Savings Bank, as Vice President - Finance, Gerald Jacobowitz, Esq., Jacobowitz and Gubits LLP, as Vice President-Development; Derrik Wynkoop, VP of Retail Delivery, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union as Treasurer; William Vacca, Regional VP, Provident Bank as Secretary, and Anne Palmer Moss, VP of Development, Elant Foundation, Inc. as Assistant Secretary.

Other directors include Chris Ashman, Orange County Commissioner of Mental Health, Goshen; Ann Barber Smith, Principal, Ann Barber Consulting, New Paltz; Debbie Bogdanski, General Manager, Frontier Communications, Middletown; Michael Bonura, General Manager, Anthony’s Pier 9, New Windsor; William Bratton, Technical Solutions Manager, IBM Global Services, Westtown; William Devitt, Sr. V.P. Investments, Merrill Lynch, Middletown; Dorothy Fein, Executive Director, Crystal Run Healthcare, Middletown; Katharine Fitzgerald, V.P, Provident Bank, Florida; Joanne Gross, Community Volunteer, Pine Bush;  David Hawkins, President, D.L. Hawkins Realty, Goshen; Sandy Leonard, Supervisor, Town of Monroe, Monroe;  Jonah Mandelbaum, President, MJJ Builders Corporation, Warwick; Howard Mills, Chief Advisor, Deloitte & Touche USA, LLP, New York; Robert Onofry, Esq., Cuddeback & Onofry – Port Jervis; Rolland Peacock III, V.P., TD Banknorth – Middletown; Josh Sommers, President, Focus Media Group – Monticello; Tom Sullivan, President, Smith Seaman and Quackenbush; and Joe Vanderhoof, President & Publisher, Times Herald-Record - Middletown.

The primary goal of the Community Foundation is to connect people who care with causes that matter.   “We achieve this goal with the help of a large volunteer support system of Board members and working committees.  Board members are selected because their professional spheres of influence are compatible with the needs of the Foundation,” said Board President RJ Smith.  “We are extremely fortunate to have many prominent and community-minded citizens lend their talents in cultivating, managing, and growing permanent charitable endowments on behalf of individuals, businesses, and organizations,” added Karen VanHouten, the Foundation’s Executive Director.

To learn more about the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (845) 469-4469, or visit www.cfoc-ny.org.


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January 8, 2008
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Walden Savings Bank makes $10,000 Donation to John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB)

Avid Cocks (Walden Savings Bank) making gift to Community Foundation John D Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

Chester, NY – Walden Savings Bank has made a $10,000 gift to the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB).   The Fund was created in early 2007 by Walden Savings Bank in memory of John D. Garrison, the former President of Walden Savings Bank.  According to David Cocks, President of Walden Savings, “John was a fine community leader and businessperson.  His goodness, kindness, and caring touched so many that it was only appropriate to create a lasting way to remember John.  Walden Savings Bank is proud to make another substantial gift to this endowment fund that will provide scholarships to students forever.”

Seven $500 scholarships were awarded earlier this year from the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB).   Each recipient was evaluated on his or her good character, community service involvement, and their desire to pursue a career in business or finance.   2007 Recipients were Savaltore Gigante of Cornwall Central High School who is attending Western New England College, Krysten Thomas of Marlboro Central High School who is attending Loyola University.  Leonel Sorano of Newburgh Free Academy who is attending LeMoyne College, Sean Cloke of Pine Bush Central High School who is attending Mount Saint Mary College, Jennifer Polesel of Valley Central High School who is attending Dublin Institute of Technology, Corey Fisher of Wallkill Central High School who is attending Iona College, and Jaclyn Fitzgerald of Washingtonville Central High School who is attending Marist College.

The Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan helps individuals, businesses, and organizations establish permanent Charitable Funds that will makes grants or scholarships in a donor’s name, your family’s name, or the name of your business.  Seventy-five Charitable Funds have been created since 1999.  Those Charitable Funds have awarded more than $850,000 in grants in the areas of land preservation, education, health/human services, youth development, the arts and culture.  Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan indicated, “Donors establish charitable funds for the things they care about.  It’s simple and cost effective.  It costs nothing to create a charitable fund and only 1% annually for the Community Foundation to administer the Fund.”  To contribute to the John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB)or to establish your own charitable fund, contact Karen VanHouten at 469-4469 (vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.) or www.cfoc-ny.org. 


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January 14, 2008
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Chester Kiwanis Establish Scholarship Fund with Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan

Chester, NY – Chester Kiwanis has established the Chester Kiwanis Scholarship Fund within the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.  

SINCE THIS FUND BALANCE WON’T BE AT $25,000 MINIMUM THRESHHOLD IN ORDER TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN 2008, JOHN RAVERT, PRESIDENT OF CHESTER KIWANIS SAID TO HOLD OFF ON PRESS RELEASE THIS YEAR.

CHESTER KIWANIS WILL FOLLOW THEIR NORMAL PROCEDURE FOR GETTING THIS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED (AS IN THE PAST).

ONCE THE FUND GETS TO THE $25,000 MINIMUM THRESHOLD, CONFIRM WITH CHESTER KIWANIS THAT THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS ONLY FOR CHESTER ACADEMY GRADUATES --- THE FUND AGREEMENT DOES NOT SAY.

PREPARE AN ADDENDUM AT THAT TIME ONCE CHESTER KIWANIS CONFIRMS THAT THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS TO BE AWARDED AT CHESTER ACADEMY ONLY, IF THAT IS STILL THE CASE.  K.VANHOUTEN

The Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan helps individuals, businesses, and organizations establish permanent Charitable Funds that will makes grants or scholarships in a donor’s name, your family’s name, or the name of your business.  Seventy-five Charitable Funds have been created since 1999.  Those Charitable Funds have awarded more than $850,000 in grants in the areas of land preservation, education, health/human services, youth development, the arts and culture.  Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan indicated, “Donors establish charitable funds for the things they care about.  It’s simple and cost effective.  It costs nothing to create a charitable fund and only 1% annually for the Community Foundation to administer the Fund.”  To contribute to the Chester Kiwanis Scholarship Fund or to establish your own charitable fund in the name of your business or family, contact Karen VanHouten at 469-4469 (vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.) or www.cfoc-ny.org. 


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February 7, 2008
Contact:
Karen VanHouten
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan
845-469-4469

Wallkill East Rotary Scholarship Established Within Community Foundation Of Orange And Sullivan

The Wallkill East Rotary Club has established The Wallkill East Rotary Scholarship Fund within the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.   The Fund was established with a gift of $20,000.

Awards will be made annually from The Wallkill East Rotary Scholarship Fund to students who live in the Town of Wallkill, demonstrate leadership, initiative, service to their school and community, high character, and evidence of academic effort, achievement and initiative.
 
The Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan helps individuals, businesses, and organizations establish permanent Charitable Funds that award grants and scholarships forever.  Nearly 80 charitable funds have been created since 1999 and have awarded more than $850,000 in grants in the areas of land preservation, education, health/human services, youth development, the arts and culture.  Simple and cost effective, it costs nothing to establish a fund and the Foundation charges a modest fee annually to administer the fund.  For more information, contact Karen VanHouten at 469-4469 or www.cfoc-ny.org.  To contribute to The Wallkill East Rotary Scholarship Fund or to establish your own charitable fund in the name of your business or family, contact Karen VanHouten at 469-4469 (vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.) or www.cfoc-ny.org. 


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Contact:  Karen VanHouten
The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 845-469-4469
vanhouten@CFOC-ny.org

For Immediate Release:  June 26, 2006

Council on Foundations Recognizes
Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan
for Excellence

Chester-NY – The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is being recognized as one of the first Community Foundations in the United States for having organizational and financial practices that are in accordance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. The Council on Foundations and leaders of the community foundation field created the National Standards to aid community foundations in establishing legal, ethical and effective operational practices that would show the foundations’ transparency and financial responsibility in light of the increased public scrutiny of foundation practices. In addition, National Standards were developed to distinguish community foundations from other philanthropic vehicles, build the capacity of community foundations to carry out their missions, and assist the field with self-regulation in a manner viewed positively by the Internal Revenue Service.

“Adopting and adhering to high standards is the best way we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to maintaining the trust of our donors and the entire community,” said Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.  “We are committed to reaffirming the honesty and integrity that are a hallmark of our Foundation.”

Intended both as a rigorous blueprint for internal organizational development and as a tangible set of benchmarks for external assessment of performance, the 43 National Standards address six key areas of community foundation operations: Mission, Structure and Governance; Resource Development; Stewardship and Accountability; Grantmaking and Community Leadership; and Donor Relation &  Communications.

U.S. community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors and administer more than $39 billion in charitable funds.  The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, created in 1999, is an effective and innovative local giving vehicle, one that combines maximum tax savings with maximum flexibility. The Council on Foundations is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit membership association of more than 2,000 grantmaking foundations and corporations.


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# # #

Contact:  Karen VanHouten
The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 845-469-4469
vanhouten@CFOC-ny.org

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $100,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS

Twenty-seven (27) Orange County students from ten (10) different school districts have received scholarships from endowment funds at The Community Foundation.  In total,  over $100,000 were awarded this year. Local families that care about education in their community established many of the scholarships.  Other scholarships were established to honor deceased loved ones as a lasting legacy.  Each scholarship has pre-determined criteria that a recipient must meet.  Often the criteria include academic performance, extra-curricular achievement and community service.  Additionally, specialized courses of study and/or career goals are determining factors.

“For some students these scholarships make all the difference in terms of their being able to afford to continue their education,” says Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.  In the Port Jervis School District, the Oscar Greenleaf Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded four (4) $10,000 scholarships.  “We are both fortunate and deeply honored to have the endowed Greenleaf Memorial Scholarship Fund that will continue to award scholarships to students from Port Jervis High School forever,” said Port Jervis District Superintendent, John Xanthis.

The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, a 501 (C)(3) non-profit public charity, was established in 1999 as a vehicle to promote philanthropy in perpetuity for charitable organizations throughout our region.  CFOS accomplishes this by assisting donors in executing their charitable intentions and encouraging them to make a difference in the community.  CFOS Executive Director Karen VanHouten added, “These locally-based endowed scholarship funds, established by caring individuals, are only one example of how endowed donor funds promote educational advancement and help support worthwhile causes throughout Orange County.”  

For more information about the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, call 845-469-4469 or e-mail the Foundation at Admin@CFOC-ny.org


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Partial List of Scholarships:

SCHOOL DISTRICT

NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP

RECIPIENT(S) NAME

Bethel Central School District

Cornwall Central School District

RJM Superstar Memorial Scholarship

Edward C. Moulton, Jr. Schol.

Steven Gregory Taliaferro

Hayley Henderson

Chester Union Free School District

Chester Union Free School District

Rudolph Vallet Science & Educ. Schol.

Rudolph Vallet Science & Educ. Schol.

Hadeyea Abdmahmoc

Thomas J. Dowling

Highland Falls Central School District

Abraham & Judith Kopald Schol.

Kaitlin Fitzsimons

Highland Falls Central School District

Abraham & Judith Kopald Schol.

Ian Mayer

Middletown Central School District

Jennifer Newton Memorial Schol.

N/A

Port Jervis City School District

Oscar B. Greenleaf Memorial Schol.

Carl Davidson

Port Jervis City School District

Oscar B. Greenleaf Memorial Schol.

Theresa Gaide

Port Jervis City School District

Oscar B. Greenleaf Memorial Schol.

Lauren Manganiello

Port Jervis City School District

Oscar B. Greenleaf Memorial Schol.

Christopher Rohrer

Pine Bush Central School District

John Christopher Smith Schol.

Keith Clancy

Pine Bush Central School District

Pine Bush Alumni Schol.

Morgan Oppenheimer

Pine Bush Central School District

Michelle Bratton Memorial Schol.

Amy Doty

Pine Bush Central School District

Scott F. Coen Memorial Schol.

David Cory

Pine Bush Central School District

Isidore "Stitch" Wittenberg Schol.

Allen Landman

Warwick Valley Central School District

Warwick Valley Central School District

Anthony C. Quinn Memorial Scholarship

Anthony C. Quinn Memorial Scholarship

Erika Carol Dewan

Terrance Fox

Warwick Valley Central School District

Warwick Valley Central School District

Washingtonville Central School District

John Williamson Memorial Scholarship

John Williamson Memorial Scholarship

Washingtonville 5 Firefighters Mem. Sch.

Kaitlin Hurley

Danielle Lopez

Sean Boyle

Washingtonville Central School District

Washingtonville 5 Firefighters Mem. Sch.

David Casazza

Washingtonville Central School District

Washingtonville 5 Firefighters Mem. Sch.

Gina Crescenzo

Washingtonville Central School District

Washingtonville 5 Firefighters Mem. Sch.

Thomas Prodromides

Washingtonville Central School District

Washingtonville 5 Firefighters Mem. Sch.

Kristen Younghans

Valley Central School District

John Mazur Memorial Scholarship

Joel Crist

Valley Central School District

John Mazur Memorial Scholarship

Courtney Northrip

Valley Central School District

Corinne Feller Memorial Scholarship

Jacqueline Begnoche

PARTIAL LIST - 2006 SCHOLARSHIPS – Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan

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Contact:  Karen VanHouten
The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan
845-469-4469 
vanhouten@CFOC-ny.org

Fred Harding
Orange County Land Trust, 343-0840

For Immediate Release:  May 17, 2006

Orange County Land Trust Opens Endowment Fund with Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan

Orange County, NY – The Orange County Land Trust (OCLT) has created an endowment fund within The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan to provide a mechanism for further support of its mission to preserve fields, forests, wetlands, ridgelines and river corridors through voluntary land protection.  The Orange County Land Trust Endowment Fund was opened on May 17, 2006 with $50,000. This endowment fund will create an ongoing source of income for Orange County Land Trust and will build a pipeline of future planned gifts to the organization.

“The Orange County Land Trust is a private, not-for-profit organization.  Our desire is to expand the options available to our financial supporters.  The establishment of this Endowment Fund administered by the Community Foundation creates not only the opportunity to contribute to it, but also to create sub-funds containing the supporters’ name or memorializing a family member” explained Dr. Douglas McBride, President of the Land Trust “It is our hope the fund will grow substantiallyover the next severalyears, which will allow us to create a lasting endowment to assure the future of our organization.”

“We are finding that more and more nonprofit Boards are looking for ways to secure their organization’s long-term health and viability,” said Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.  Establishing an endowment fund with the Community Foundation is a critically important step towards that end. “Just as individuals need to make provisions for emergencies and their retirement, so does this community for its charitable organizations. We’re fortunate to have a community foundation in Orange County, and we encourage more donors and non-profits to take advantage of this opportunity,” she added.

The Orange County Land Trust will encourage its members and others to look at the Endowment Fund as they consider their longer term charitable giving options.  “Every dollar that the endowment fund receives will enhance the ability of the Land Trust to accomplish its mission” stated Fred Harding, the Land Trust’s Executive Director.  “That means that the Orange County Land Trust will continue to be the driving force in land conservation by creating preserves for public use; protecting open space through conservation easements; cooperating with local, county and state government in land planning; protecting river corridors and providing public access for boating and fishing; and initiating educational forums on land use issues. 

For more information, to make a gift to the Orange County Land Trust Endowment Fund, or to open a charitable fund of your own, please contact either Karen VanHouten at the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan at 845-469-4469, or visit the website at www.CFOS-ny.org; contact Linda Gette at the Orange County Land Trust at 845-343-0840 or visit their website at www.oclt.org.

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Contact: 
Karen VanHouten
The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 469-4469
vanhouten@CFOC-ny.org

Jacques Levine 343-8981
For Immediate Release:  June 26, 2006 

Orange County Land Trust Opens Endowment Fund with Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan

Orange County, NY – Jacques Levine, a prominent Middletown businessman, has established a charitable fund to support the Orange County Land Trust (OCLT) endowment fund held within The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.  He has established The Jacques and Florence Levine Subfund  of the Orange County Land Trust Endowment Fund to provide a mechanism for further support of the Orange County Land Trust’s mission to preserve fields, forests, wetlands, ridgelines and river corridors through voluntary land protectionThe Jacques and Florence Levine Subfund was opened on June 5, 2006.  An annual grant from the fund will create an ongoing source of income for Orange County Land Trust and will help strengthen the pipeline of future planned gifts to the organization.

“The Orange County Land Trust is a private, not-for-profit organization.  Our desire is to expand the options available to our financial supporters.  The establishment of this new subfund by longtime supporter Jacques Levine and his late wife, Florence, demonstrates how others can support the recently created Orange County Land Trust Endowment Fund. 

“I created The Jacques and Florence Levine Subfund as a way not only to memorialize my late wife, but as a mechanism to support the Land Trust and ensure the future of the organization and its mission,” said Jacques Levine. 

“We are finding that more and more individuals are excited about support their favorite organizations’ long-term health and viability,” said Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.  Establishing an endowment fund with the Community Foundation is a critically important step towards that end. “Just as individuals need to make provisions for emergencies and their retirement, so does this community for its charitable organizations. We’re fortunate to have a community foundation in our area, and we encourage more donors and non-profits to take advantage of this opportunity,” she added.

Every dollar that the endowment fund receives will enhance the ability of the Land Trust to accomplish its mission,” said Lou Mills, Founder of the Land Trust, who added, “Jacques was there when we created the Land Trust.  The Orange County Land Trust continues to be the driving force in land conservation in the county.” 

For more information, to make a gift to The Jacques and Florence Levine Subfund or the Orange County Land Trust Endowment Fund, or for donors interested in simply establishing a charitable fund of their own, please contact Karen VanHouten at the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan at 845-469-4469 or Linda Gette at the Orange County Land Trust at
845-343-0840.

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Contact: 
Karen VanHouten
The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 469-4469
vanhouten@CFOC-ny.org

Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan TO ADMINISTER WILDFOERSTER ENDOWMENT FUND

     The Frederick B. and Dorothy A. Wildfoerster Endowment Fund have been established with the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

     “The fund was created to award scholarships to local honorably discharged veterans interested in pursuing a degree in architecture or a related field,” said Karen VanHouten, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.  “Awards will be in the amount of $500 per semester and awardees will be chosen by a committee of family and close friends. Establishment of this endowment within the Foundation will ensure the scholarships are awarded in memory of Frederick & Dorothy Wildfeorster in perpetuity.”

     The Wildfoersters grew up in Orange County New York and greatly enjoyed the area.  After serving in the second World War and earning sharpshooter designation despite losing a limb, Fred graduated from Harvard with both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in the field of architecture and design.  The firm of Paver and Wildfoerster was a powerhouse of design in the Middletown area in the 1970s and 1980s, having a reputation of providing excellent architectural services in an extended local area.

     The Community Foundation is honored to administer this fund, designed to help a veteran realize his or her dreams in the field of architecture.  To make a tax-free contribution to this fund, or learn more about the work of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, please call 845- 469-4469 or visit at www.CFOC-ny.org.


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Headlines:

Walden Savings Bank makes $5,000 Donation to John D. Garrison Memorial Scholarship Fund (WSB)

Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Annual Reception Honored President’s Circle Members and Robert Onofry, Esq.


AS AMERICAN AS PUMPKIN PIE

Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Establishes Hudson Valley Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Fund

Over $90,000 Awarded In Scholarships Through The Community Foundation Of Orange And Sullivan

Council on Foundations Recognizes
Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan
for Excellence

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $100,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS

Partial List of Scholarships

Orange County Land Trust Opens Endowment Fund with Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (1)

Orange County Land Trust Opens Endowment Fund with Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (2)

Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan TO ADMINISTER WILDFOERSTER ENDOWMENT FUND

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