New Pike resident invests in 'the community I have come to call my own'

Charles Petersheim left New York City in the aftermath of 9/11, relocating to Sullivan County, N.Y. He founded Catskill Farms, a regional design, construction, and real estate company that, to date, has built nearly 200 new homes.

Now a Pike County resident, Petersheim has created a donor-advised fund at the Greater Pike Community Foundation with a $20,000 initial gift.

“I feel fortunate with my business success in our area and I want to re-invest in the community I have come to call my own," said Petersheim. “When I think of this fund, the idea that every day is a gift comes to mind. But at the same time, every day can be a challenge for many among us. I’m hoping the Petersheim Fund can find ways to use the gift to ease the challenge. Maybe it’s a band instrument, or fee for an extracurricular event, or an art camp, or singing lessons. I’d like to see the Petersheim fund continue to grow and provide support for the valuable work our local non-profit organizations do.”

Jenni Hamill, Greater Pike’s executive director, said Petersheim's "enthusiasm for personal philanthropy is inspiring and heartwarming."

"It is wonderful to see the joy he gets from targeted, planned giving," she said.

For the fund’s 2019 grants, the Petersheim Fund will support GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center, the Milford Borough Volunteer Fire Department, Milford Garden Club, Ecumenical Food Pantry, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, and two existing Greater Pike funds, the Hotel Fauchère Fund and the Fund for Greater Pike.

To make a donation to the Petersheim Fund, or any of Greater Pike’s other funds, contact Hamill at 570-832-4686 or jennihamill@greaterpike.org, or by visiting greaterpike.org.