FOUNDATION NEWS 2021

December 08, 2021

Milford, PA — Greater Pike Community Foundation (GPCF) held a reception at the Tom Quick Inn on Wednesday, December 8^th, to salute four members of the Board of Directors: Chair Jim Pedranti, Treasurer Rosann Kalish, Dave Chant and Kirk Mackey. The four are leaving their posts having served nine selfless years.

Executive Director Jenni Hamill, in her remarks to the gathering, said of the four who’ve come to the end of their terms, “I don’t want to feel sad that you’re stepping down but thankful for what you’re leaving behind.”

As a co-founder, Jim Pedranti had a substantial role in the formation of GPCF and was recently recognized by the Pike County Commissioners for his leadership. Looking back, he said, “I’m proud we were able to be a facilitator for nonprofits in the greater Pike community and help people join the foundation with donor funds.” Noting the GPCF reached a milestone of gifting $1,000,000 since its inception, Pedranti predicted, “There will be a time when a million dollars will come a lot quicker and it will be that much easier for the foundation to help the community build better lives.”

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December 01, 2021

Milford, PA — The Pike County Commissioners began their December 1st meeting by adopting resolution 2141 in recognition of Jim Pedranti. The resolution cited his leadership role in conceiving of and establishing the Greater Pike Community Foundation, where he has served as Board Chairman from its inception, and for his legacy of philanthropy, for his countless volunteer hours, his commitment to the community, to the county, and so much more. 

Speaking to Pedranti, Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Matt Osterberg, said, “We really appreciate everything you’ve done for this county.” Osterberg noted the County’s Emergency Initiative Fund “probably wouldn’t have been implemented unless we had the Greater Pike Community Foundation.”   

Commissioner Ron Schmalzle added, “The world is a better place, the county is a better place and this community of Milford is in a better place because of people like you, Jim. Thank you for the class you bring to the table and your leadership…”  

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November 27, 2021

Milford, PA — A new fund established by the GAIT Advisory Council at Greater Pike Community Foundation will make it easier to participate in GAIT’s equine therapy programs. The GAIT Advisory Council Endowment fund will defray tuition costs and make therapy more accessible for children and adults with a variety of diagnoses and disabilities while expanding awareness of all their programs. 

GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center offers skilled equine therapy by trained staff and volunteers to clients of all ages who have been diagnosed with an array of physical and/or emotional needs. GAIT’s Advisory Council is a volunteer Board focused on educating the community about GAIT and its services and helping subsidize or offset the costs of tuition for individuals. 

“Our first goal is to bring attention to and educate the public about GAIT’s services,” said Eileen Smith, co-chair of the Advisory Council. “Secondly, this fund will be a private and discreet way to help individuals who can benefit from equine therapy but usually struggle asking for help.” 

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November 23, 2021

Milford, PA — Greater Pike Community Foundation granted $1,000 to the Marsh-Kellogg American Legion Post #139 of Milford, PA, to purchase turkeys for a free community Thanksgiving meal on Saturday, November 20, 2021. 

The meals were provided at no cost to 500 senior citizens, with delivery to those who could not attend in person, as part of the American Legion’s annual holiday event. 

Even though Greater Pike provides funds for area food pantries, this was the first year the organization helped out with purchasing the turkeys for this community event, said Jim Pedranti, Greater Pike Board Chair. “We were more than pleased to help make for a healthy and happy holiday for so many in our community,” he said. 

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November 16, 2021

Milford, PA — With a desire to give back to their community while spreading a spirit of kindness, an area real estate team has chosen Greater Pike Community Foundation to receive a portion of their sales through the end of the year. 

The Arlene Quirk team of Keller Williams Real Estate recently set a goal of $15,000 to donate to the Art Ridley Spirit of Kindness Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund is designed to support one or more annual scholarships to graduating Delaware Valley seniors who embody a spirit of giving in their community and have exhibited acts of kindness to those in need. 

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November 5, 2021

Two area residents who embody the spirit of philanthropy and inspire others to do the same are being honored by Greater Pike Community Foundation in a new video production. The contributions of Centa Quinn and Junior Dabashi are highlighted in this video that was put together in lieu of the annual Greater Pike dinner, which was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

“We didn’t want Junior and Centa to wait another year,” said Greater Pike Executive Director Jenni Hamill. She added, “The video will be a well-deserved tribute to two individuals who have given back to the community in a large way.”

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October 31, 2021

Greater Pike Foundation is non-political and does not take any position in any election. This has always been our policy, and, as a tax exempt public charity organized under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3), we are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elected public office. 

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October 25, 2021

Milford…. “Our community is our home. If we don’t take care of our home, we can’t expect others to do it for us.”  Those are the words of the late Richard L. (Dick) Snyder, a community benefactor and conservationist.  He knew that Pike County residents are blessed to be surrounded by pristine woodlands and waterways, and hoped future generations would benefit from them.   

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September 28, 2021

Milford…. Greater Pike Community Foundation has announced the cancelation of its annual dinner due to COVID-19 Delta variant concerns. The event was scheduled for October 5th. 

Board Member and Co-Chair of the Foundation’s Dinner Committee, Maryanne Monte said, “With the ongoing concern about the variant, we are being cautious and want to protect all of our fund advisors, donors and staff. We are making plans for another way to pay tribute to our dinner honorees, Centa Quinn and Junior Dabashi, so please stay tuned.”  

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September 21, 2021

Milford… A new fund established by the Milford Enhancement Committee (MEC) at Greater Pike Community Foundation will give the organization a strategy to fulfill its mission in perpetuity. The Milford Enhancement Committee Maintenance Endowment is dedicated to maintaining Milford’s streetscapes and public spaces and will help protect Milford’s historic appeal. 

MEC President and Milford Mayor, Sean Strub, said the endowment will provide an ongoing funding stream, which has been a long-term goal of the MEC as it continues its work.

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September 16, 2021

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it is accepting grant applications on behalf of the Safe Haven Legacy Fund from nonprofit organizations that help victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence in Pike County find permanent housing. Applications should be in by October 15th.

The Safe Haven Legacy Fund was the vision of the Board of Directors of Safe Haven of Pike County, Inc. and former Executive Director Christina Byrne. Safe Haven closed its doors in 2019 after a 28-year run.

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August 26, 2021

This year’s grants from the Richard L. Snyder Fund at Greater Pike Community Foundation total more than $70,000 and will benefit 18 different not-for-profit organizations. The grants will be used to sponsor local arts, culture, festivals, and events; to maintain and enhance public areas in Milford Borough; and to support medical research.

Grant Committee Chair Maryanne Monte said, “These grants are important to the community, which is just beginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications. Richard Snyder’s generosity has helped support area not-for-profits covering a broad range of missions that make our community a great place to live.”

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August 20, 2021

When Harvey Bessonett learned about a way he could honor his late wife and support his favorite charities at the same time, he was inspired.  He worked with Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Executive Director, Jenni Hamill, and set up the Lillian and Harvey M. Bessonett Sr. Fund.

“I love the idea of a fund that gives in perpetuity,” Bessonett said, “especially since it is a way to remember my wife.”  The couple was married for sixty years before Lillian passed away four years ago.  Bessonett said establishing a memorial fund was “something I could do for her and something she would appreciate because she was the kind of person who—if you needed help—she would be there.”

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August 20, 2021

Save the date!  Greater Pike Community Foundation’s 8th Annual Dinner will be held Tuesday, October 5th, in the newly renovated Signature Ballroom of the Tom Quick Inn in Milford. With a tagline of ‘We survived and continue to Thrive: Let’s Celebrate!’, the dinner is an affirmation of recovery from a difficult year.

This will be the first major community gala to be held in the ballroom at Tom Quick since it reopened. Tim Smith, a Greater Pike Board member and chair of this year’s Dinner Committee said, “The Greater Pike Community Foundation is very pleased that our dinner will be happening this year. We are excited for our honorees and to be the first gala at the new Tom Quick. Please join us in celebration after a very trying year for all of us. We survived and continue to thrive.”

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August 4, 2021

With funding from Greater Pike Community Foundation, scholarships totaling over $9,000 will help six families pay tuition for their children enrolled in Pre-K programs in Milford.

Five children at the Center for Developmental Disabilities received scholarships, including Lucia Shrag’s son Robert.  Lucia, an employee at Milford’s Key Food Supermarket, has worked throughout the pandemic. She said, “I’m very thankful for the scholarship granted to my son” and added, “Greater Pike Foundation does so much for our community, helping hundreds of families in need.”

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August 2, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation is proud to announce a significant milestone in local philanthropy: The Foundation has surpassed $1,000,000 of giving in the form of grants and scholarships since its founding in 2012. Grants to nonprofit organizations have covered many needs including, but not limited to, food and housing insecurity, education, support for disabilities, animal welfare, arts, and cultural events, historic preservation, and emergency services.  Scholarships have been awarded for both preschool and post-high school tuition costs.  

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July 8, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to announce Delaware Valley High School student Yoshi Sumitomo has received the first award from The Reggie Cheong-Leen & Peter Spielhagen Scholarship Fund.  Yoshi will use the grant of up to four years of full tuition to attend Penn State University and major in computer science.

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July 1, 2021

“Kindness is the sunshine in which virtue grows.”  Those words, spoken by attorney Robert Green Ingersoll more than a century ago, could easily have been the maxim by which the late Milford attorney Art Ridley lived.  Ridley died in March and attorney John “Duke” Schneider, a founding member of Greater Pike Community Foundation, moved to establish a memorial fund for his friend and colleague.  “Art helped a tremendous amount of organizations and nonprofits over the years, pro-bono. You almost cannot find an organization he didn’t help,” Schneider said and added, “He talked the talk and walked the walk… and will be greatly missed by the community.”

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June 22, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation Executive Director Jenni Hamill recently presented a check for $1,000 to the Shohola Railroad and Historical Society (SRHS), one of three nonprofits to receive a grant this year from the Barbara J. Buchanan Fund at Greater Pike. On hand at the presentation ceremony (the first in-person one for Greater Pike since 2019!) were Society President Rolf Buchman, member Linda Harding-Buchman and board member Lorraine Gregory.

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May 13, 2021

We invite everyone in Pike County and throughout northeastern PA to give back to the local community during NEPA Gives, a one-day online giving event, on Friday, June 4, 2021.  A very special thanks to Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau for providing this promotional video.

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April 29, 2021

The Barbara J. Buchanan Fund of Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to announce three awards of $1,000 each will help support local history and the elderly with grants to the Shohola Railroad and Historical Society, the Pike County Historical Society, and Growing Old Together.  Grant Committee Chair, Maryanne Monte said, “Barbara Buchanan’s tireless philanthropy has supported many deserving organizations, and we are honored to continue her legacy and make these awards in her memory.”

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April 21, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to announce applications for grants from the Richard L. Snyder fund will be accepted beginning May 15th.

Grant Committee Chair Maryanne Monte noted grants ranging from $500-$5000 will be awarded. “Approximately $71,000 will be available to not-for-profit organizations in the categories of beautification, cultural events and medical-related projects,” Monte said. “She added, “Richard Snyder’s legacy to Greater Pike Community Foundation is a reflection of his enduring support for our community and his love for Milford and Pike County. His generosity truly underscores our slogan For Good. Forever.”

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April 9, 2021

Thank you to our generous Pike County sponsors of NEPA Gives – coming Friday, June 4th, 2021! The businesses and organizations featured below have stepped up to champion this 2nd annual fundraising extravaganza by contributing cash and other types of prizes for participating charities to compete to win and stretch donor dollars even further.  For more information about these businesses and organizations, click on their logos below.  More information about the prizes will be posted shortly at NEPA Gives.

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April 7, 2021

“I lived in a town that I loved and I played in popular places; it’s everything I dreamed of.” Kathy Wolf recalls her husband, Walt Edwards, telling her that before he passed away last September.  She says, “He loved performing and he loved singing and he had no idea how good he was.” That underscores the humility of a man who made a significant contribution to the community and to aspiring musicians. To honor his memory, Kathy established The Walt “Edwards” Ashenfelter Memorial Fund at Greater Pike Community Foundation. It will help support non-profit organizations hosting live music events in our region.

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March 31, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to offer Pre-K scholarships again this year, thanks to a $10,000 donation from Highmark Life Insurance Company, made possible through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.  2021 Pre-K scholarships will provide full or partial tuition for local children attending summer or school-year programs at the Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD), or Green Trees Early Learning Center in Pike County.

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March 22, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to announce two recent appointments to its Board of Directors:  Rebecca Lindsey and Karen Haycox. “These new directors,” said Board Chair Jim Pedranti, “bring a wealth of expertise and leadership experience to our team. We are pleased they will help Greater Pike continue to fulfill its mission of facilitating community philanthropy.”

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March 10, 2021

Nonprofit organizations whose fundraising efforts have been upended by COVID-19 restrictions will have a chance to replenish their coffers this spring with a socially distanced, yet socially driven online fundraising event called NEPA Gives.  Hosted by Greater Pike Community Foundation and other foundation partners in northeast Pennsylvania, NEPA Gives is a 24-hour marathon of giving starting at 12:00am and ending at 11:59pm on June 4^th, 2020. All nonprofit organizations are encouraged to register now and help spread the word about the event to their supporters.

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February 22, 2021

Much needed Chromebooks for students in the Delaware Valley School District will be easier to purchase, thanks to a generous donation from The Dime Bank. The $7500 donation was made to Greater Pike Community Foundation through the state of Pennsylvania’s EITC program. The program awards tax credits to businesses making significant contributions to educational programs.

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February 12, 2021

To know Will and Debbie Hookway is to know they have strong ties to their community and a great sense of appreciation…sentiment that prompted them to establish The William and Deborah Hookway Fund at Greater Pike Community Foundation. The fund will primarily benefit the community of Sussex County, New Jersey, and especially the Sussex County YMCA.

Will Hookway explained that he became involved with the Livestrong Program at the YMCA four years ago after being diagnosed with cancer. The program invites spouses to get involved also, and the beneficial experience the couple had there impressed them.

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January 25, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the first grant cycle for the Safe Haven Legacy Fund will be open from February 1st through February 14th, 2021. Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit an application that addresses long-term or permanent housing needs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“Due to the generosity of donors and of Safe Haven of Pike County, Inc., this fund, established to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, will be awarding $4,400 to an eligible program,” said Greater Pike’s Grant Committee Chairperson Maryanne Monte. She emphasized the grant will be used to help secure long-term or permanent housing (as opposed to emergency or temporary housing).

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January 21, 2021

Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of grants from the Barbara J. Buchanan Fund for eligible nonprofits beginning February 1^st, 2021.

Greater Pike’s Grants Committee Chairperson, Maryanne Monte, said, “Because of Barbara Buchanan’s generosity, we will be awarding three $1,000 grants. The opening of this grant cycle underscores the legacy of commitment Barbara had to her community and to the causes she held dear.”

The deadline for applying is February 14^th at 5PM.

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