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Foundation Partnership Supports Wanakena History

September 18, 2020 By admin

Several Years in Development, New History Center Will Preserve Community’s Past

    WANAKENA — A pair of Community Foundation grants will help bring the past to life at the Wanakena Historical Association’s new History Center, which officials plan to open later this year at 21 Second St.

    The Foundation’s board of directors recently approved $16,000 in funding for the Historical Association. A $6,000 grant will fund equipment and supplies at the center and a $10,000 matching commitment will help build an endowment at the Community Foundation for the center.

    Several years in planning, the project gained momentum after a group of partners stepped forward to purchase and restore the Second Street house to its original design. Construction began last year with renovations continuing through early summer. The center will feature a collection of exhibits, modern presentations and meaningful artifact displays tied to the region’s past while also promoting historical and genealogical research and local tourism.

Wanakena Historical Association’s new Wanakena History Center, 21 Second St.

    “We are excited to deepen the long-term relationship of our two organizations as we continue to work with donors to build upon our investments in the people and places of Wanakena,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “The community’s history and heritage will have a stronger level of enduring stewardship because of these initiatives.”

    Allen Ditch, president of the Wanakena Historical Association board of trustees, said the Foundation’s endowment match is a “crucial part of the association’s long-term plans,” especially in stewarding the maintenance of the center and operations.

    “Without the Foundation’s grant, we could very well be unable to implement high-quality, electronic access to our collection and availability in displays,” Mr. Ditch said. “We hope to make this an exciting place to visit.”

    Community volunteers came together 20 years ago to create the historical association and highlight the unique past of Wanakena and surrounding Adirondack communities. The organization developed a walking tour with interpretive kiosks and spearheaded restoration of the iconic Wanakena Footbridge after it was damaged in 2014, a project the Community Foundation supported.

    The history center has garnered impressive philanthropic support. The organization also took thoughtful steps toward developing a strategic plan designed not only for the history center’s sustainability, but the agency as well. Embedded in that plan is an emphasis on building an endowment, which the association presently has at the Community Foundation, thanks to an anonymous donor.

    Despite ongoing public health concerns, Mr. Ditch said he hopes the center can open for a preview this month and remain on track for a grand opening celebration in 2021.

    “There are many people who believe in this area and want it to flourish. Our organization is one of the groups who can help bring tourists to the area,” Mr. Ditch said. “It’s a community that people recognize as a place to enjoy and visit. This is a special place.”

Wanakena Historical Association trustees and volunteers gather at the new Wanakena History Center, from left, front row: Sara Cibelli, Carol Cassidy, Judy Hastings-Keith, and Allen Ditch; second row: John Steinberg, Ron Capone, Paul Flynn, and Marsha Smith; back row on porch: Lynn Smith, Virginia Peters, Primrose McVey, Terry Smith, Kathy Greenwald, Bill Gleason, Wayne Allen, Gerry Cibelli, Piers Bramham, Michael Greenwald, Larry Mayo, and Harry Shock.

    To join others in helping build support for the Wanakena Historical Association History Center and its mission, make gifts to the Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. Secure online gifts may be made at nnycf.org. Gifts to the center’s endowment fund will be matched up to $10,000.

About the Northern New York Community Foundation

   Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

    Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

   The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Filed Under: Recent News

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

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Northern New York Community Foundation

10 hours ago

Northern New York Community Foundation

Meet Toryann McKinney, a Watertown City School District eighth grader at Case Middle School and 2020-2021 Youth Giving Challenge winner. A community, according to Toryann, values its people most and “needs to be healthy in every way.”

As a Youth Giving Challenge winner, Toryann recently presented a grant to the North Country Family Health Center, Watertown, a nonprofit organization she chose because it embodies her definition of a healthy community. “They have a highly dedicated staff who treat newborns, kids, and adults and they are available to the whole community to help local people be healthy.”

“They are available to people in two counties with community and school-based sites that are easy to get to,” Toryann wrote. “The help they provide to pregnant women and new mothers with nutrition education and counseling is also very important.”

Last month, Toryann, joined by her mother, met with North Country Family Health Center Marketing & Community Relations Director April Fallon, and presented a $500 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge grant that will support the Health Center’s Unmet Needs Program. Toryann’s thoughtful effort to help the Health Center will provide financial assistance to patients whose needs cannot be met through existing community resources.

The grant is supported by donors to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a partnership with Community Bank, N.A., and a generous gift from an anonymous donor.

Pictured, from left, Al Romano Jr., Washington Street branch manager, Community Bank, Watertown; Phyl McKinney, Toryann’s mother; Toryann McKinney, Case Middle School eighth grader and Youth Giving Challenge winner; and April Fallon, North Country Family Health Center marketing & community relations director.

Toryann is one of dozens of thoughtful youths who looked inside her community to recognize an organization that strives to improve quality of life for all in the region. The 2020-2021 Giving Challenge asked students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to explain in an essay what community means to them and to choose a nonprofit that embodies their definition of community. Toryann’s essay is one of 20 chosen from 144 submissions.

Look for more photos and stories behind the 2019-2020 Youth Giving Challenge gifts in the coming weeks.

#ThoughtfulGivingNNYCF #YouthGivingChallenge #CommunitySpirit
... See MoreSee Less

Meet Toryann McKinney, a Watertown City School District eighth grader at Case Middle School and 2020-2021 Youth Giving Challenge winner. A community, according to Toryann, values its people most and “needs to be healthy in every way.”

As a Youth Giving Challenge winner, Toryann recently presented a grant to the North Country Family Health Center, Watertown, a nonprofit organization she chose because it embodies her definition of a healthy community. “They have a highly dedicated staff who treat newborns, kids, and adults and they are available to the whole community to help local people be healthy.”

“They are available to people in two counties with community and school-based sites that are easy to get to,” Toryann wrote. “The help they provide to pregnant women and new mothers with nutrition education and counseling is also very important.”

Last month, Toryann, joined by her mother, met with North Country Family Health Center Marketing & Community Relations Director April Fallon, and presented a $500 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge grant that will support the Health Center’s Unmet Needs Program. Toryann’s thoughtful effort to help the Health Center will provide financial assistance to patients whose needs cannot be met through existing community resources. 

The grant is supported by donors to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a partnership with Community Bank, N.A., and a generous gift from an anonymous donor. 

Pictured, from left, Al Romano Jr., Washington Street branch manager, Community Bank, Watertown; Phyl McKinney, Toryann’s mother; Toryann McKinney, Case Middle School eighth grader and Youth Giving Challenge winner; and April Fallon, North Country Family Health Center marketing & community relations director. 

Toryann is one of dozens of thoughtful youths who looked inside her community to recognize an organization that strives to improve quality of life for all in the region. The 2020-2021 Giving Challenge asked students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to explain in an essay what community means to them and to choose a nonprofit that embodies their definition of community. Toryann’s essay is one of 20 chosen from 144 submissions.

Look for more photos and stories behind the 2019-2020 Youth Giving Challenge gifts in the coming weeks.

#ThoughtfulGivingNNYCF #YouthGivingChallenge #CommunitySpirit
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Northern New York Community Foundation

3 days ago

Northern New York Community Foundation

For Russ and Mary Wilcox, growing up in the North Country came with a deep appreciation for community and helping others. Today, the couple is experiencing joy in ways they didn't think possible during their lifetimes. The Wilcox Family Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation is making a difference today and forever. #NNYCF #legacy ... See MoreSee Less

For Russ and Mary Wilcox, growing up in the North Country came with a deep appreciation for community and helping others. Today, the couple is experiencing joy in ways they didnt think possible during their lifetimes. The Wilcox Family Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation is making a difference today and forever. #NNYCF #Legacy
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Northern New York Community Foundation

4 days ago

Northern New York Community Foundation

We are excited to support this endeavor that encourages the youngest among us while also supporting elementary classrooms and education across the North Country! Thank you to our friends at NBC Watertown for the opportunity to partner on such a meaningful project.

#classroomkindnesschallenge #NNYCFAre you up for the Challenge?!

Join Sundance Leisure, Buffalo Wild Wings, Pivot 2 Health, and Northern New York Community Foundation spread a little kindness this Spring!

Every week we will be selecting at random one classroom in the North Country from grades K-5 that has completed the challenge to win a Do-Nut Be A Bully Party over the next 5 weeks! At the conclusion of the 5 weeks we will randomly select 5 classrooms to win the grand prize!!

To find the challenge board and submit your classroom click the link below!
nbcwatertown.secondstreetapp.com/The-Classroom-Kindness-Challenge---Spring-2021/rounds/1/gallery/
... See MoreSee Less

We are excited to support this endeavor that encourages the youngest among us while also supporting elementary classrooms and education across the North Country! Thank you to our friends at NBC Watertown for the opportunity to partner on such a meaningful project.
 
#ClassroomKindnessChallenge #NNYCF
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