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Community Leadership Initiative Continues with 2nd Friends Event

August 13, 2018


"Our objective is to really demonstrate and educate you about what is happening in your community. And, to demonstrate how philanthropy can be a solution to some of the challenges that our communities face."

By Erin Passinger

erinpass@thecorryjournal.com

Friends of the Foundation held its second networking and information event Thursday evening with four guest speakers who delivered messages of positivities in support of the Corry community.

Friends is an outreach of the Corry Community Foundation and was established last fall in the hopes of bringing together young business owners and emerging leaders to develop an outlet for networking and sharing of ideas.

"Our second Friends of the Foundation event was very successful and I think the message of getting involved was well received," said Shelby Scouten, administrative assistant for CCF, who helped organize the event. "Corry has no lack of people interested in helping, but people lead very busy lives and aren't always sure how to help. This group was created to reach out to the next generation leaders to educate, inspire and encourage them to take action in our community."

About 30 residents attended the second gathering, which featured Susannah Weis Frigon, vice president, and investor relations and donor stewardship for the Erie Community Foundation; Nathan Weaver, vice president and trust officer for Northwest Bank; Amy Allen, Corry resident and LifeCare Resource and Pregnancy Center volunteer; and Barbara Pfeil, founder of Hope Ministry in Corry and Camp Halo.

Frigon and Weaver discussed financial and non financial ways to support local communities and the importance of getting young residents behind those efforts. 

"Friends of the Foundation was designed with a couple of key promises," Frigon said. "Our objective is to really demonstrate and educate you about what is happening in your community. And, to demonstrate how philanthropy can be a solution to some of the challenges that our communities face."

Weaver, who manages investments for the Erie Community Foundation, which works and is affiliated with CCF, offered audience members financial tips and strategies if they choose to support their local foundation and invest in their community.

For the inspirational portion of the speaking event, Allen and Pfeil talked about their work with their respective organizations, which have all received CCF funding to support their missions.

"Corry is on the cusp of a renaissance period," Scouten said. "The downtown has fresh, interesting stores and the First Fridays held by the Downtown Corry Business Association are very successful and well attended. Impact Corry has taken ownership and begun regular maintenance on the railroad property in the heart of the city, Mead Park will be undergoing construction soon and several organizations geared toward helping those in need are making a genuine impact on our residents."

Upon the conclusion of the meeting, audience members were challenged to find at least one friend or community member to join the Friends group and start working toward making a positive impact on the Corry community.

Questions about the Friends and any upcoming events can be directed to Scouten at 664-3884 or shelby@corryidc.org.