Third Pair of Grants from Geographic Fund for Theresa, Indian River Lakes Areas
THERESA — A pair of grant awards from the Community Fund for Theresa totaling $4,500 will support new historical markers along Route 37 and the launch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library by the Theresa Free Library.
The Community Fund for Theresa is a permanent grantmaking fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation that will forever support programs, activities, and initiatives to advance the general welfare of the Theresa community. Lifelong Theresa residents Russell I. and Mary Wilcox established this family legacy fund at the Community Foundation in 2020 to help strengthen the quality of life in their community.
Among other things, the fund focuses on grantmaking to support essential needs, cultural activities, historic preservation, community development and special events, recreational and environmental needs and activities, youth development, quality of life projects, and educational programs.
A $3,000 grant to the Town of Theresa will support the State Route 37 Historical Marker Signage project.
Two historical markers will be installed along NYS Route 37 to commemorate the significance of Old Military Road, which includes Hiram Becker’s Red Tavern, a pivotal site for the Patriot War meetings, and Chaufty’s Corners, a once-thriving community hub. The nearby Chaufty’s Corners Cemetery is the resting place for at least eight soldiers who served in the War of 1812.
The initiative addresses a community need for historical education and preservation, with a broader goal to instill pride and interest in local heritage among residents and visitors. The Town already has several markers in other notable areas and additional signage will help to one day create a heritage tourism trail.
“This fund is a wonderful example of the ability to make a difference in ways that are especially meaningful to a donor. We are grateful for Mr. Wilcox’s trust and confidence in us to support programs in the Theresa area on his behalf both now and in the future,” said Rande S. Richardson Community Foundation executive director.
A $1,500 grant to the Theresa Free Library will help launch the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for children in the Village and Town of Theresa, as well as the broader Indian River Lakes Region of Jefferson County. The initiative aims to address the critical need for early childhood literacy by mailing free, high-quality, age-appropriate books monthly to children newborn to age 5.
The library will leverage resources provided by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, including training modules and a custom application portal. Local efforts will also include production of promotional materials to raise awareness in the community. The program aims to eventually reach 65 percent of eligible children within the local area.
The Community Fund for Theresa began grantmaking efforts in 2022. A three-person citizen review committee representing the greater Theresa community evaluates grant proposals and recommends them for approval to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Applications for 2025 funding from the Community Fund for Theresa will be accepted this fall with award decisions made next spring. Grant support is available to qualified organizations whose missions and efforts align with the fund’s charitable purposes. Contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs, at kraig@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110, to learn more.
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 for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, 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 and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. 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.