The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation has recently awarded grant funding totaling $12,904 to fifteen different projects. 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.
“In these lean times it is difficult for public benefit organizations (traditionally called non-profits) to purchase equipment and technology so they can function more efficiently. Most of these grants will help to save time, energy and money. What is saved can then be reinvested in making our neighbors lives better,” says Christian Maher, Executive Director.
Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System, Inc. (ACES) received $350 to implement the Pennsylvania Business Week program at Cambridge Springs High School. The program educates students about the benefits of the free enterprise system.
The Arc of Crawford County provides services and supports that increase the quality of life for people with mental challenges. A video projector will be purchased with $850.
Child to Family Connections’ Strengthening Families Program works with parents and their adolescent children to encourage the child to attend and participate in school and avoid of violence and substance abuse. Program supplies will be purchased with $1,000.
First District Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization will use $1,000 toward the purchase of playground equipment. This will provide a place for students and other children in the community to play and exercise.
Crawford County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) trains and provides volunteers to advocate for children involved in juvenile court proceedings, primarily as a result of abuse and neglect. A copier will be purchased with $1,000.
Creating Landscapes for Families: Community Garden at Ackerman Farm provides a place for families from Second District Elementary School and local people to plant and harvest their own produce for better nutrition. Some of the cost to transport volunteers to the garden will be defrayed with $804.
The Meadville Public Library promotes life long learning, self-improvement, and self-expression through their collection of books, movies, music and technology. They will purchase a paper folding machine with $500.
Operation Warm will use $500 to provide winter coats to twenty-five Crawford Central School District children from low-income families to keep them warmer next winter.
Penn State Cooperative Extension received $200 toward the purchase of a laptop computer for the Master Gardener program. It will be used to make presentations at work sites and other locations countywide.
Public Broadcasting of Northwest Pennsylvania will present live performances by folk, bluegrass and Americana musicians at the second annual Crawford County Music Festival this summer. The cost to present one band will be subsidized with $500.
The Social Connection provides a drop-in center for people with mental health challenges in Titusville. Technology and computing classes will be initiated following the purchase two computers with $1,200.
Titusville Area Hospital will use $1,000 to ensure that overweight patients will be treated with comfort and care through the purchase of a heavy-duty bariatric wheelchair.
Titusville Renaissance, Inc. will help keep downtown clean through the purchase of trash and recycling containers with $1,000.
The Titusville Summer Theater will improve its ability to present quality performances with $1,500 to fabricate scenic backdrops for multiple shows.
Women’s Services, Inc. supports victims of domestic and sexual violence through counseling and emergency shelter, among other services. In order to reduce energy costs, more efficient lighting will be purchased with $1,500.
