Lead Donor Establishes Charitable Fund to Help Replace Musical Instruments
PARISHVILLE — The Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District recently formed a charitable partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation to help purchase and upgrade musical instruments for students.
The Parishville-Hopkinton Central School Musical Instrument Fund was established at the Community Foundation with a generous lead matching gift from Dr. G. Michael and Mrs. Barbara Maresca. Dr. Maresca is president of St. Lawrence Radiology Associates. He and his wife are St. Lawrence County residents who share an affinity for local arts and education.
“We consider ourselves very lucky to live in an area that places such importance on music education, and we are happy we are able to help invest in a worthy North Country music program,” Mrs. Maresca said.
Mrs. Maresca noted how her son, Michael, who graduated from Potsdam High School in 2013, “benefited enormously from music programs available from kindergarten through high school.”
For the Marescas, the call to act in such a meaningful and thoughtful way came after Jeremy and Allison Carney, owners of Brick and Mortar Music, Potsdam, alerted them to the need for new instruments in several St. Lawrence County school districts, Dr. Maresca said.
“We decided to begin the effort at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School because it is really lacking in some of the basics for music classes,” Dr. Maresca said. “We hope others will also be inspired to look to neighboring districts, reach out and help.”
Gifts to the fund will provide support for the school district, over the next five years, to upgrade musical instruments for the benefit of students at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School. Under a five-year plan, all instruments could be upgraded for roughly $72,000.
The Community Foundation partnership enables the school to raise money it needs to complete the instrument project while offering donors the maximum flexibility and benefit of giving to a charitable fund. All gifts to the fund are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law and directly support the cause. Charitable gifts to support the fund will enhance the music and arts experience for Parishville-Hopkinton students beginning this fall and into the future.
Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District Superintendent Dr. Bill Collins said he and school officials appreciate that the Maresca family has taken a valuable leadership role to improve music education through a worthy investment.
“We are tremendously grateful for the Marescas generosity. Their gift, combined with the support from our other community members, will go a long way to providing our music students with instruments they will use for many years,” Dr. Collins said. “This is a wonderful investment in our music program that will have a positive impact on generations of students here at Parishville-Hopkinton Central.”
Donors may make gifts to the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School Musical Instrument Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation by mail to 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. Gifts may also be made online at www.nnycf.org/giving/donate-online. Contact the Community Foundation, 315-782-7110, to learn more about giving options and other ways to support this charitable fund.
Participating in community philanthropy while also working to make a difference in the lives of many St. Lawrence County youth has already brought rewards, Mrs. Maresca said.
“The tradition of philanthropy is strong in St. Lawrence County and we are merely following in the footsteps of so many other generous North Country donors,” she said. “Giving in the North Country is extremely gratifying; the gift really makes a difference and goes a long way.”
The Community Foundation strives to foster this type of giving and help facilitate charitable contributions for the community’s benefit, Assistant Director Max DelSignore said.
“The leadership and generosity demonstrated by the Maresca family will not only encourage additional gifts, but also create a strong belief in the effort to enhance a strong music program for St. Lawrence County students in the Parishville-Hopkinton district.”
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, generous individual donors and families, and charitable foundations, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving enduring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for donors, local charitable organizations, and professional advisors. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.