The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation has recently awarded grants totaling $13,804 to fourteen different organizations. Grants are made county-wide from their Unrestricted Fund and Ben Franklin Trust, in the Titusville area from the Fred Lintner Fund and from the Bernadene R. and John B. Cooley Fund to benefit programs for children and youth.
The Foundation gives back to the community through discretionary grants. They prioritize giving to improve upon the effectiveness of existing programs and support projects that incorporate preventive or curative approaches to the problems and challenges of our community.
“Our grants are an effective way for people to exert a positive influence on our community. Many generous donors have entrusted us to put their philanthropy into action. I think they’ll be proud of our work to preserve historic areas and the environment, promote literacy, education, health and wellness,” says Dr. Barry Cressman, Chair of the Foundation’s Grantmaking Committee.
Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System, Inc. (ACES) received $350 to implement the Pennsylvania Business Week program at high schools in Penncrest School District. The program educates students about the benefits of the free enterprise system.
The Borough of Conneaut Lake was awarded $330 to purchase signage to promote the newly-created Conneaut Lake Heritage Farmer’s Market.
Nursing students from the Crawford County Career and Technical Center learn skills using a medical training simulator
Cambridge Springs Public Library was given $542 to purchase supplies for book and craft clubs to encourage elementary students to read and stay involved in education during summer months.
The Crawford County Career & Technical Center helps to improve the local healthcare system by providing practical nursing training. Current reference materials will be purchased with $800.
The Crawford County Coalition on Housing Needs provides shelter for domestic violence-affected and homeless families. An award of $800 will help to purchase a surveillance and recording system to increase security at their Liberty House residence.
The Family & Community Christian Association will promote literacy among preschoolers in Head Start, Pre-K Counts and other regional child care facilities. Books for distribution to students will be purchased with assistance from an $800 award.
The French Creek Council of Governments received $1,000 to help implement a vehicle tire recycling event in an effort to clean up streams and properties.
The Meadville Council on the Arts will purchase keyboards to expand their group piano lessons with $650. Children who learn and practice music are likely to develop areas of the brain linked to spatial intelligence and improve their academic performance.
Nutritious after-school snacks will be provided to participants in a mentoring program of the Meadville Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Corporation with an award of $892.
The Oil Region Alliance is preserving the historic childhood home of journalist and author Ida Tarbell. Construction of a handicapped-access ramp and entrance onto the Titusville landmark will be assisted with a $1,000 award.
The Titusville Area Senior Citizens Corporation will improve programming to promote lifelong learning through the purchase of a laptop computer and television with $1,140.
Efforts to repair and preserve the Driller Monument dedicated to Col. Edwin Drake at Titusville Woodlawn Cemetery will be supported with $2,000.
Wesbury United Methodist Community received $800 for a program to educate family members and other caregivers of the elderly how to provide quality care in a home environment.
Women’s Services, Inc. supports victims of domestic and sexual violence through counseling and emergency shelter. Replacement of the heating and cooling system in the children’s play area of the shelter is supported with $2,000.
The YMCA of Meadville will offer a Summer Kid’s Camp designed to fight childhood obesity through exercise activities, education and nutrition. Program supplies will be purchased with $700.
Previous grants have assisted health programs in providing care and medication for patients in-need. They have supported programs to educate children about business, computers and theater, teach art and technology to senior citizens and enlighten everyone about local history. Local parks, greenways and recreational areas have been improved. Activities for at-risk youth and improvements to emergency housing have also received support.
