Former Bridge Authority Official Creates Fund to Support Employees, Retirees and their Families

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

     “It was deeply meaningful to see the vision for this come to fruition. We feel extremely humbled and honored to have worked alongside Mr. Wilcox to create something that represents his life’s work and will forever carry forward his care and concern for the Bridge Authority employees and their families,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

     Jakob Lynch, a 2022 Alexandria High School graduate, and Dylan Rastley, a 2020 General Brown High School graduate and current SUNY Canton student, were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

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Approved Grant Funding to Aid Projects at Five Lowville Organizations

     LOWVILLE — The George R. Davis Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded $15,000 in grants to support four Lowville-area projects and organizations. 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. Mr. Davis 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 served as supervising principal for more than 35 years. Judge Davis died in 2010.

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Fifteen Organizations Will Share Support for Wide Range of Community Initiatives and Projects

     BOONVILLE — Fifteen projects and organizations that benefit Boonville, Constableville, and Westernville residents will share $52,100 in funding from the Kenneth V. and Jeannette Remp Sawyer Community Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation this year.

     Support will help fund programs and projects that broadly impact the quality of life for residents in the three communities. Nearly two-dozen organizations applied for grant funding in the fifth year of the grant opportunity. In 2021, the Sawyer Community Fund awarded $46,500 to 11 community-based organizations. Thanks to the enduring generosity of the Sawyers, the fund has provided more than $200,000 in support to 60 organizations and projects since grant-making efforts began in 2018.

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Funding Requests from Tri-County Nonprofits Increase 13 Percent

     WATERTOWN —  The Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded $20,000 in grants to five North Country nonprofit organizations that will support a wide range of community programs and projects.

    Each year, the Council reviews requests from tri-county nonprofits to fund projects or initiatives that positively impact the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence counties. In addition to researching and recommending grants, Council members visit several nonprofit organizations, learn about grantee stewardship, community investment and leadership, and nonprofit sustainability.

    The Council received 27 funding proposals during the 2021-2022 program year with six agencies invited to present requests to the full Council. Members delivered grant recommendations to the Community Foundation Board of Directors during its recent quarterly meeting and the Board unanimously approved the full slate of grants. 

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Pair of Seniors Honored as Top Graduating Athletes During Annual WHS Awards Event

     WATERTOWN — Two Watertown High School seniors were honored Thursday evening as the top graduating athletes and recipients of the William I. Graf Award. Tatum Overton was selected as the women’s recipient, and Deante Hall was named as the men’s honoree this year.

    The William I. Graf Award was created in 1954 by the Italian-American Civic Association to honor Mr. Graf’s leadership and civic engagement in the community. The Northern New York Community Foundation was selected to help continue the Graf family legacy by administering the fund in perpetuity and raising awareness of the award for students who strive to earn the prestigious honor.

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