quality OFliƒe 2016 ANNUAL REPORT ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CHAUTAUQUA REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donald L. Butler Peter M. Stark Rex E. McCray Dana A. Lundberg President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Pamela D. Noll Michael C. Bird Christy L. Brecht Lorraine B. Diggs Past President Jennifer L. Gibson Carol S. Hay Ronald W. Kohl Laura A. Otander For the past four decades, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has devoted itself to enriching the quality of life in the Chautauqua region. Our Board of Directors are steadfast in Stephen J. Wright committing to our role in being a catalyst for positive change and a leadership force in the community. Through the Fund for the Region, we are focusing our fi nancial resources around several funding priority areas that support initiatives and programs related to our mission, vision and aspiration of making our region one of the best places to live. From economic and workforce development to healthcare and education, our goal is to enrich the quality of life for generations to come. As we begin celebrating our 40th anniversary, we hope you will join us in looking forward to our future, together. Randall J. Sweeney Donald L. Butler Executive Director Board of Directors, President Agriculture is essential to our region’s economy contributing signifi cantly to employment, income and tax revenue, while also providing environmental benefi ts. STAFF From left: June Diethrick, Operations Offi cer; Elizabeth Jones, Executive Assistant; Jacob Schrantz, Fiscal Offi cer, Randy Sweeney, Executive Director; Julie Dudgeon, Communications Assistant; Sarah Shelters, Communications Offi cer; Michelle Frederickson, Program Associate; Karie Hayes, Executive Assistant and Lisa Lynde, Program Offi cer. Special thanks to Norm and Dave Gustafson of Gustafson Farms LLC. Thank You To Our Corporate Sponsors High caliber engineering solutions for customer’s unique & specific design challenges ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Fund for the Region supports many initiatives dedicated to creating conditions for economic development in our region through neighborhood revitalization, to promoting agriculture, tourist attractions and environmental resources. Creating economic growth is the key to a successful community. — Unknown Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture Jamestown Renaissance Corp. Neighborhood Revitalization Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Environmental Resources National Comedy Center Tourist Attractions WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT The Fund for the Region supports many initiatives dedicated to cultivating opportunities for individuals to be prepared with the necessary skills to enter the workforce, whether graduating high school, post-secondary programs or college, and aligning those opportunities with employment needs of the region. To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. — Anatole France Ross Grange #305 Scholarship Fund Vocational Scholarships Jarrett Devereaux, scholarship recipient Workforce Recruitment Chautauqua Striders Life Skills HEALTHCARE The Fund for the Region supports initiatives dedicated to enhancing career pathways to healthcare fi elds, improving physician recruitment and retention, promoting wellness/ healthy lifestyle activities and educational opportunities for the region. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Workforce Investment Board Healthcare Recruitment Baby Café, Blackwell Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church Wellness Opportunities Mental Health Association Healthy Lifestyles ARTS AND LEISURE The Fund for the Region continues to support initiatives that promote enjoyment through arts, culture, sports and leisure activities, enriching and educating the region. Simplicity is the glory of expression. — Walt Whitman. Robert H. Benson Fund Recreation Infi nity Visual & Performing Arts Arts and Culture Chautauqua Lake Dragon Boat Race Leisure EDUCATION The Fund for the Region supports many initiatives dedicated to fostering growth and learning in individuals of all ages and backgrounds through higher education scholarships, school curriculums, camps and community engagement programs. The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education. — Martin Luther King, Jr. Lucile M. Wright Air Museum Scholarship Fund Science Scholarship Fenton History Center Lifelong Learning YMCA Camp Onyahsa Summer Camp AWARDS Peter and Holly Sullivan Named John D. Hamilton Community Service Award Recipients Since its inception in 1993, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has had the honor of presenting the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award to an individual or group who has “demonstrated dedication, leadership, and support in furthering community spirit.” The 2016 recipients were Peter and Holly Sullivan. Peter, a life-long Jamestown resident, and Holly, a Berea, Ohio native, met while students at Miami University (Ohio); the rest is history! Married in 1969, and parents to Katy, Lindsey, and Judson, the Sullivans devoted their lives to enriching the lives of others in Chautauqua County. Together, they volunteered their time and energies to many worthwhile causes. Peter, retired from PB Sullivan and Company, is a past United Way campaign chair; Jamestown YMCA campaign chair and current board member; Sheldon Foundation Board of Directors member and current president; member of several WCA Hospital campaign committees; and Friends of Midway member, helping to lead renovations for the new miniature golf course. In addition, he held positions with the Boys and Girls Club, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Jamestown Prendergast Library, and Chautauqua Institution Foundation. Holly, a teacher at the former Euclid Elementary School, contributed her time and talents as Reg Lenna Center for the Arts past president; WCA Hospital Board of Directors and ER campaign advisory member; Lucy-Desi Center founder and board member; and past United Way co-chair. She is a former Woman of the Year (1984) and Court Appointed Special Advocates Person of the Year for 2016. These are only some of the ways in which the Sullivans have, together and individually, demonstrated the ideals on which the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award was founded. Congratulations to an outstanding and deserving couple! Built to Last Frewsburg Couple Receives Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero” Award Jerry and Norma Eklund of Frewsburg have been married 54 years this July. In that time, they raised four sons, established a successful business and still found time to give back to their community. During a reception held June 14, 2016 at The Relief Zone, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation presented the Eklunds with its Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero” Award for their years of service. “Jerry and Norma have been described as role models to younger generations, not only for the commitment they have shown each other in their 53 years of marriage, but for their commitment to their community,” said Randy Sweeney, Community Foundation executive director. “We are proud to honor them as this year’s Axel W. Carlson Award recipients.” For the past 40 years, Jerry has owned and operated C&R Construction with Norma working in the offi ce. Today, their sons Rick and Scott have taken an active role in the family business and all three men serve as co-owners. “We allow the Lord to lead our lives, both personally and professionally,” Jerry said. “That is what has always worked for us.” Devoted members of their congregation, Siloam Fellowship Church, Jerry and Norma have volunteered their time and talents to their church, as well The Relief Zone, where Jerry has served as president and the Frewsburg Lions Club, of which Jerry is currently the lion tamer and Norma serves as treasurer. The Eklunds also took a leadership role in their local Red Kettle Campaign, an annual fundraising eff ort for The Salvation Army. Almost 13 years ago, The Salvation Army was considering removing the Frewsburg Tops as a location for the Red Kettle and its bell ringers due to not having enough volunteers. Jerry and Norma took it upon themselves and began calling individuals and organizations to ring the bell. Since then, they have been able to fi ll every hour with local civic groups, individuals and students. If someone cannot fi ll an hour, Jerry and Norma go out and ring the bell themselves. “It’s been the most amazing thing,” Norma said. “People start contacting us in the fall to see if they can arrange a time to ring the bell.” The Axel W. Carlson “Unsung Hero” Award is presented annually to those who have made signifi cant contributions through their volunteer eff orts while not receiving, nor expecting reward or recognition. “There is no way we could accept this honor without it being the two of us,” Jerry said. “It’s always been the two of us.” Diana and Randy Ordines, two of the many individuals who donated on Big Match Day, and Randy Sweeney, Community Foundation executive director. On November 29 from Spring 2017 Newsletter 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. all donations, up to $25, made to the Chautauqua Region Community Top 5 Organizations receiving donations: Foundation for local 1. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church organizations and 2. Audubon Community Nature Center charitable needs, were 3. Chautauqua County Humane Society matched by the 4. Chautauqua Lake Rowing Assn. 5. Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy/ Community Foundation, The Relief Zone totaling $62,536