Local Community Foundation Recognizes Grant Recipients

June 20, 2014

Families served by the Corry Area Food Pantry had a Christmas dinner last year, thanks in part to a $2,000 grant from the Corry Community Foundation.

Kids who attend Camp Halo in Spring Creek Township will receive hygiene products during their stay this year, thanks to a $5,000 grant from the foundation.

And those who attended this year's three-day CorryFest enjoyed the festivities for free, again due to a generous grant.

The Corry Community Foundation recognized its recent grant recipients Wednesday at the Corry Higher Education Council building. The presentation had been scheduled to take part in Corry City Park, but the threat of inclement weather forced the event inside.

Bill Nichols, chairman of the Corry Community Foundation's board of directors, noted 50 different charitable endowments have been established by the nonprofit group. In the past eight years, the foundation has awarded about $6.9 million in grants and scholarships.

"This really has gone a long way," Nichols said of the foundation, which awards grants from interest collected in a variety of funds. "I've said it a few times, but can you imagine some of the fundraisers that wouldn't have taken place if it weren't for the $7 million or the activities that wouldn't happen.

"So really, it's a great asset we have here in the community."

Dick Lowe, president of the Corry Area Food Pantry's board of directors, thanked the foundation for the grant, which assisted families during the Christmas holiday. Lowe said more than 370 families, about 1,250 people altogether, are assisted by the food pantry every month.

"We want to thank the foundation," Lowe said, noting families were given gift certificates during the holidays to purchase meals. "They were able to buy a Christmas dinner, so we are very thankful for the support."

A $4,500 grant for this year's CorryFest also went a long way, said Chris Hornick, Corry Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.

"We try to spend all of it to give it back to the community," Hornick said Wednesday. "We want people to enjoy the three-day event for free."

Hornick said she was pleased with this year's CorryFest, which wrapped up Sunday. "Overall, it was a huge success. We heard nothing but positive things," she said.

The Corry Community Foundation is one of three foundations serving the Corry area. The others are the Arlene H. Smith Charitable Foundation and David L. Nichols Trust. The three foundations work together to meet the needs of the community, Nichols said.

Foundation grants wishes:

Camp Halo, $5,000 for summer camp
Corry Arts Council, $8,000, for Summer in the Park 2014
Corry Arts Council, $1,500, for Missoula Children's Theatre
Corry Area Food Pantry, $2,000, for 2013 holiday food distribution
Corry Area Chamber of Commerce, $4,500 for CorryFest 2014
Corry Area School District Foundation, $1,500, for running rEVOLUTION
Corry Area School District Foundation, $21,105, for alumni website
First Presbyterian Church of Corry, $2,000, for Christian education enhancement
Clear Lake Authority, $1,500, for the East Branch Trail Extension
LifeCare Pregnancy and Family Residence Center, $2,000, for Youth Outreach for a Good Future
Safe Journey, $1,500, for a copier
Spring Creek Volunteer Fire Department, $1,800 for two 8,000-gallon fiberglass tanks
Warren Hi-Ed Council, $12,348, for its diploma program

By Eric Tichy, The Corry Journal
Published: Friday, June 20, 2014