New Community Foundation Charitable Fund Will Accept and Steward Additional Contributions

     WATERTOWN — The city’s Thompson Park should soon see an updated convening space to host small performing arts events thanks to support from the Community Foundation and a leadership gift from the family of T. Urling and Mabel Walker.

     An all-volunteer committee is pursuing a project in the park to restore the stone bandstand located near the 10th Mountain Division Honor the Mountain Monument, by adding a roof to the historic structure.

     The Community Foundation, together with the Walker Family Community Fund of the Community Foundation, are providing a $50,000 lead gift in support of the project’s $150,000 funding goal.

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Former Bridge Authority Official Supports Employees, Retirees, and their Families

     ALEXANDRIA — Two Jefferson County students with family ties to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority were recently named the Class of 2023 recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Russell I. Wilcox Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Scholarship.

     Natalie L. Hunter and Tucker Rosbrook, both 2023 General Brown High School graduates, were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

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Boldt Descendants Continue Support of Jefferson County Students for Two Years of Post-Secondary Study

     HEART ISLAND — Three Jefferson County high school members of the class of 2023 were honored this month as recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Scholarship.

     Chantell L. Beach, Watertown High School, Cameron L. Derouin, Sackets Harbor High School, and Sadie S. Pasinello, South Jefferson High School, were each awarded a two-year $10,000 scholarship during a reception at Boldt Castle with George C. Boldt’s great-great-grandson, Charlie Goodridge, and family. Brayden P. Wiley, a member of the Thousand Islands High School class of 2022 who was named a Boldt Scholarship recipient last year, was also recognized. Brayden was unable to attend last summer’s Boldt Scholars recognition event.

     The scholarship honors the legacy of the castle’s builder, noted hotelier and philanthropist George C. Boldt Sr. Charlie Goodridge’s father, Malcolm Goodridge, led efforts to establish the scholarship with other descendants of Mr. Boldt and dozens of North Country donors who have made gifts to the scholarship fund at the Community Foundation.

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Grant Supports Intern for Thomas Memorial AME Zion Church History Project

     WATERTOWN — While a Community Foundation grant helps document and preserve the history of an important city landmark, a recently established charitable fund will aid efforts to restore the Thomas Memorial AME Zion Church on Morrison Street.

     A $2,250 grant awarded to the Preservation League of New York State is funding a summer intern to research, document and produce a comprehensive history of the church, which has deep ties as an African American church with connections to the Underground Railroad.  

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Projects at Three Lowville-Area Organizations Receive Help From Legacy Fund 

     LOWVILLE — Three Lowville-area organizations and projects will share $12,500 in grant support from the George R. Davis Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation. This geographic-specific fund serves as a permanent resource for programs, projects, and initiatives that enhance quality of life in the village and town of Lowville.

     The Honorable George R. Davis lived almost his entire life in Lowville and served for 20 years as Lewis County Judge from 1962 to 1983, previously serving as District Attorney. He was active in civic affairs throughout his life with a particular interest in local history, including the history of Lowville Academy where his father was a supervising principal for more than 35 years. Judge Davis died in 2010.

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