Greater Pike Community Foundation gets $35K boost

MILFORD — The Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center presented a $35,000 check to the Greater Pike Community Foundation, whose mission is to “provide a permanent and personal way to give back to the region we love and have worked so hard to nurture and maintain.”
Present at the Fauchère Meeting Center on Oct. 18, where the check presentation took place, were Jeff Box of NEPA Alliance; Kurt Bauman, NCAC Executive Director and Vice President of NEPA Alliance Community Services; James Pedranti, President of the Foundation; together with Milford Mayor and Fauchere owner Sean Strub and other Foundation members.
The award will provide funding and technical assistance for start-up community foundations in Carbon and Pike counties. It's part of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Area Development Grant for NCAC’s Community Foundation Initiative.
The money will be a catalyst for the Foundation’s expansion, and will be used to hire professional staff toward that purpose.
NCAC will be part of the process by facilitating and organizing meetings. It will also give advice about best practices for community foundations, offer workshops on grants, and help with training and developing a mission statement.
The Greater Pike Community Foundation’s website (greaterpike.org) offers insights about its work:
“For Good. Forever. That’s the simple purpose of the Greater Pike Community Foundation. The Greater Pike Community Foundation (GPCF) was created to enable generous individuals, families and local businesses to maximize their charitable support through organized, targeted community philanthropy. The Foundation provides a permanent and personal way to give back to the region we love and have worked so hard to nurture and maintain.”

Recent honorees

Recent honorees include:
Barbara J. Buchanan Community Service Award recognizes Pike County residents who exemplify the spirit of “giving back.” Art and Jane Ridley were chosen because of their extraordinary record of public service and philanthropic support. In addition to the recognition, the Ridleys will receive a $1,000 grant for them to donate to the charitable endeavor of their choice.
N ot-for-Profit Award recognizes non-profit organizational excellence. For more than 40 years, theCenter for Developmental Disabilities of Pike County has provided educational, therapeutic, behavioral and family support services for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Richard L. Snyder Excellence in Business Award recognizes businesses that foster environmental and economic growth in our community. For the past 25 years Kittatinny Canoe, led by Ruth Jones, has supported an annual on-and-under-the-river cleanup that since its inception has recruited more than 9,000 volunteers, removed more than 450 tons of debris from the Delaware River and raised awareness of the importance of stewardship of our natural environment. Ruth Jones will also receive a $1,000 grant to donate to the charitable endeavor of her choice.