REPORT 2019 ENRICHING the QUALITY of LIFE in the CHAUTAUQUA REGION Typically, This Annual Report Only Includes Activity from the Prior Calendar Year
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Photo by Sarah Minor annual REPORT 2019 ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CHAUTAUQUA REGION Typically, this Annual Report only includes activity from the prior calendar year. As our community came to a standstill in mid-March because of COVID-19 we knew we had to make an exception. Our theme, “It Takes a Village” was already selected, little did we know how appropriate that would be. Local businesses changed their normal operations overnight to begin producing medical equipment, hand sanitizer, and protective gear for frontline workers. Community members rallied around essential workers to provide meals and words of encouragement during their long, and often difficult, shifts. Volunteers gave their time and resources to sew thousands of face coverings to protect those serving in food pantries, soup kitchens and childcare centers. Educators and school administrators reached students in new and creative ways to ensure they received food, educational resources and, most importantly, emotional support. Our colleagues in philanthropy quickly pooled significant funding to meet unprecedented community needs. Our village came together to lend a hand where help was needed and to look toward the future with hope. 1 Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Chautauqua County Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19 On March 23, the Community Foundation, in collaboration with the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County and United Way of Southern Chautauqua County announced the creation of the Chautauqua County Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19. This county-wide collaboration and pool of shared resources is unprecedented. The Foundation’s Board of Directors committed $100,000 to the effort. To date, nearly $1 million has been raised from a coalition of individuals, philanthropic, government and business partners. These dollars are supporting the immediate needs of organizations on the frontline of the COVID-19 response and will help stabilize nonprofits who suffered financial setbacks. Annual Report 2019 2 3 Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Give Big CHQ On June 13, 2019, our community THANK YOU came together in a BIG way. to our Hosted in partnership with the Northern Chautauqua 2019 prize Community Foundation, Give Big CHQ raised more than $180,000 for nonprofit organizations in sponsors: Chautauqua County. “ We were thrilled to be able to partner with our friends at Allied Alarm Services the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation to make “this event a true, county-wide fundraising effort, Buffamante, Whipple, said Tory Irgang. Buttafaro, PC In addition to creating an online fundraising page, nonprofit organizations had the opportunity to engage donors, and the general Courier Capital public, through creative social media posts. “ Southern Tier Give Big CHQ is all about community,” said Diane Hannum, Brewing Company NCCF executive director. “We are grateful for the generosity “shown to our local nonprofit organizations that allows them Weber Knapp to continue their good work. 1,626 97 $184,193 DONORS ORGANIZATIONS RAISED Annual Report 2019 4 Carl M. Hanson Engineering Scholarship Fund Clymer Central School and Jamestown Community College graduate, Kimberly Emory, is the first recipient of the Carl M. Hanson Engineering Scholarship. I am a third-year student at Rochester Institute of Technology and am “ thoroughly enjoying my time here studying civil engineering,” Kimberly wrote. ““Thank you for your generous support toward furthering my education. A World War II US Navy veteran, Carl Hanson specialized in aeronautical engineering. Following his military service, he worked for a NASA research facility where he helped develop the first successful wind tunnel to test model aircraft flying at the speed of sound, and eventually as a federal employee working on a joint Navy/Air Force program. Fight for Seeley Scholarship Fund In 2019, family and friends of Michael Seeley established The Fight for Seeley Scholarship Fund to support students attending college who illustrate good character, integrity, kindness and community involvement, with a preference to students pursuing a career in criminal justice. For over 16 years, Michael served as a deputy with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department and was a long time member of the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department, serving as both a firefighter and EMT. In 2018, Michael passed away following a brave and courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Michael was a man who dedicated his life not only to me, his children,“ family, and friends, but to the community in which he lived,” said his wife, Nicole. “What a wonderful way to give back knowing his “legacy will live on through this scholarship for many years to come. 5 Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Billy Eskeli Scholarship Fund Moore Receives Matthew William Eskeli IV, or Bill, or During his freshman year, Bill joined Eskeli Billy, was raised by a village. the Electronic Vehicle Team, a student run organization focused on designing Scholarship Growing up in Falconer, he spent time and building electric motorcycles that are with his parents, Matthew and Stephanie, raced in events at the professional level. Falconer Central School along with his incredibly close extended Last summer, Bill and his team had the recently announced family sharing meals, going camping, and opportunity to travel to Colorado Springs, Matthew Moore, learning to fish. They encouraged him as Colorado, to race their electric motorcycle as the first recipient his interest in building with LEGOS evolved at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. of The Billy Eskeli into tinkering with farm equipment and Although they didn’t win, it was a trip Scholarship. cars. of a lifetime. Matthew will be attending Rochester On July 2, Bill was tragically killed Institute of Technology to study As a child, I was my dad’s shadow,” engineering exploration in the fall. Bill wrote in 2017 for a college when the car he was driving was struck by a drunk driver near Springfield, Ohio. scholarship essay.“ “I loved to follow him around all day and watch him According to his parents, Bill was kind, I am truly honored to have “work on cars, tractors and anything humble, hardworking, smart, and had an received The Billy Eskeli Scholarship, else mechanical. This is what sparked amazing, witty sense of humor. He lived which will help me in achieving my my interest in figuring out exactly how each day to the fullest and was well on his things work. way to fulfilling his dreams in life. “dreams of becoming“ an engineer. I am sincerely grateful for this Following his death, his parents asked The Falconer High School Class of gesture, and I am honored to take 2017 valedictorian decided to combine that memorial gifts be directed to The Billy Eskeli Scholarship Fund to support part in preserving the memory of his interests and talents by furthering future students who, like Bill, were his education at Rochester Institute of Billy Eskeli. interested in STEM related fields. Technology to study mechanical engineering. Annual Report 2019 6 John D. Hamilton Community Service Award On September 19, during a reception at the Chautauqua Harbor “Ideal candidates are those who exhibit good moral character and Hotel, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation presented set an example of service beyond their professional lives,” said Joel Gaden its John D. Hamilton Community Service Award. Bridget Johnson, John D. Hamilton Community Service Award chair. “It is no surprise that the committee selected Joel as the An ROTC graduate of Lehigh University, Joel served in the recipient of this year’s award.” U.S. Army Reserves for seven years. After completing his military service, he began a successful career in banking and finance in Joel continues to serve as a volunteer tax preparer for the United New York City before moving to Jamestown where he continued Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s VITA Program, a member his banking career for another two decades. of the Audit Committee at WCA Foundation, President of the Advisory Board at RSVP and Foster Grandparents at Lutheran, Joel has served as a leader in many community organizations, Chair of the Lutheran Foundation and as an Elder on the Session such as, President of the United Way of Southern Chautauqua of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown. County, chair of the advisory board at the YMCA of Jamestown, Salvation Army and Literacy Volunteer. Since 1994, the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award has been presented annually to individuals whose dedication, leadership and support further community spirit and enhance the quality of life in the Chautauqua Region. • Photo by Leon Stein 7 Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Axel W. Carlson Unsung Hero Award On a sunny day in June, Pam Lucas of Ellicott, was celebrated as the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s 2019 Axel W. Carlson Unsung Hero Award. According to her nominator, Debbie Basile, Pam has unselfishly given her time to many organizations throughout the region for decades. She started as a leader for her children’s scouting programs, leaving a lifelong impression every youth member she had the pleasure of mentoring. As they grew out of scouting, Pam continued serving others. For the past 15 years she has served as a member of RSVP and worked with the guests at the UCAN City Mission sewing clothes, cutting hair, and preparing meals. Pam has a heart for children and sews hundreds of baby items for the UPMC Chautauqua maternity ward and assembles suitcases for children served by Court Appointed Special Advocates of Chautauqua County. For 34 years, the Unsung Hero Award has been presented annually to residents of the Southern Chautauqua region who have made significant contributions to their community through their efforts while neither receiving, nor expecting, reward or recognition. Annual Report 2019 8 Financials This chart represents the Foundation’s total 125,000,000 asset value which has grown by $55.7 million over the past 10 years, from $55.3 million in 2009 to an all-time high of $111 million 100,000,000 as of December 31, 2019.