An anonymous donor has offered a $5,000 matching challenge to create a permanent scholarship in honor of long-time North Country educator and administrator Gary F. West. Mr. West will retire as Immaculate Heart Central elementary school principal at the end of the school year. He has served for 40 years in various capacities in both public and parochial education in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. The Gary F. West Faith-Based Education Scholarship will be a component fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation and will provide financial assistance to elementary students attending Immaculate Heart Central School. Those wishing to honor Mr. West and support the scholarship can make tax-deductible gifts to the Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. Gifts should designate the scholarship on the memo line or can be made online at www.nnycf.org. All gifts will be matched up to a total of $5,000, which will create a $10,000 endowed fund in his honor.
The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.