NEWS 2020

October 8, 2020

The second round of grants from the Richard L. Snyder Fund at Greater Pike Community Foundation totals more than $47,000 and benefits nonprofit organizations that support maintaining and enhancing the public areas of the Borough of Milford; sponsorship of local arts, culture, festivals, and events; and medical research. This latest round follows grants of $22,000 issued in June to six area nonprofits—grants dedicated to helping address the COVID crisis in the greater Pike County area.

Grant Committee Chair Maryanne Monte said, “These grants are so important to the community, especially in the midst of a pandemic. We are grateful that Richard Snyder’s generosity has helped support our not-for-profits both with the hardships caused by Covid-19 and with a broad range of missions that make our community a great place to live.”

Normally, Greater Pike would gather the recipients at a Hotel Fauchère reception. This year, the Foundation is acknowledging the great work these nonprofits do with a virtual reception in the form of photos of the grantees to be shared online and in print.

Among the grantees is the Hanna Q Dance Company. Director and President Johanna LjungQvist-Brinson said the grant “is very important” to her company. “It’s been a challenging year,” she added. “People need to see art. It opens hearts and minds.”  LjungQvist-Brinson has been rehearsing performances in Central Park. She is grateful the grant will allow her to create and choreograph a contemporary ballet based on the “Red Riding Hood” fairy tale.

Liz Torkildsen, Executive Director at Pike County Developmental Center thanked Greater Pike for its “…generosity and support to assist in funding programs of The Life Skills Enrichment Project” which she noted will “enhance the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities residing in Pike County.”

Black Bear Film Festival President Max Brinson is also appreciative. He said, “We can’t operate without generous grants and donations from the community.” He said the funds will help produce the Black Bear Film Festival as a drive-in event, so up to 100 cars can enjoy the festival safely in the face of the Covid-19 threat. “There will be a free online festival with streaming short films and feature films playing at the drive-in,” Brinson added. “This is such an unusual year…people are nervous about getting together and what we’re presenting will be a way for them to participate in the Black Bear Film Festival.”

American Readers Theatre (ART) also received a grant. Director and Founder Jeffrey Stocker said it will be used to produce an original play that Milford Historical Society Museum Curator Lori Strelecki is writing about the night of Lincoln’s assassination. “ART is thankful for the support of Greater Pike Community Foundation,” said Stocker. “This is the third play in our “Living History Series, which is time-consuming since after it is written, we must begin the editing, staging, and rehearsals.” He added, “Richard Snyder, who was on our Board of Advisors, always nurtured our new plays, so we are very grateful to continue in his memory.”

Grants also went to Barryville Arts Association, Dingmans Ferry Theater, Historic Preservation Trust of Pike County, Milford Enhancement Committee, Milford Music Festival, Peter’s Valley School of Craft, Pike Artworks/Milford Readers and Writers Festival, Pike Autism Support Services of NE Pennsylvania, Pike County Historical Society and Museum, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Ritz Company Players, Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support, Tri-State Chorale, Milford Music Festival/Milford Presents.

Greater Pike Community Foundation helps individuals, families, and local businesses to provide a permanent and personal way to give back to the community. For information on the different kinds of funds, visit Greater Pike’s website or contact Jenni Hamill at jennihamill@greaterpike.org.