by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 31, 2024 | CFFC News
Each year, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) proudly selects a variety of local students for post-secondary scholarship awards. The foundation holds forty-seven (47) scholarship funds, which are created specifically to support local students in their pursuit of higher education. This year, $207,924 is being awarded in scholarships to ninety-one (91) students.
“Thank you so much for awarding me this great honor and continuing to support my lifelong goal of becoming a physician…. I hope to one day practice in Uniontown and continue giving back to our community!” said Nina D’Andrea, a Laurel Highlands High School graduate and current medical student at West Virginia University. CFFC has awarded scholarships to D’Andrea for seven years in a row throughout her higher education.
Scholarship funds are one of the many ways that the foundation helps people make a difference through charitable giving. Scholarship funds are created in honor or memory of a loved one, to support certain career paths, or to simply give back to the community. CFFC works with donors to determine criteria for each scholarship fund, including qualifications related to academic achievement, community service, financial need, extracurricular participation, area of study, or school preference.
“Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients. Our scholarship program is strong, thanks to our generous donors and our dedicated review committee – all of them are passionate about supporting these students and the future of Fayette County,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Through CFFC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Access to Higher Education Program, qualifying students may have their scholarship awards matched by the state.
A CFFC scholarship can be created in honor or memory with a gift of $25,000, or donations in any amount can be made to the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund. To learn more about CFFC’s scholarship program, visit the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org.
2024-2025 CFFC Scholarship Awards
Alfred E. and Anna B. Jones Scholarship
Taney Basinger
Allen Craft Memorial Scholarship
Jamire Braxton
Madison McClean
Addyson Nose
Jocelyn Radcliffe
Owen Reed
Dominic Scott
Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Scholarship
Valentina Gulino
Kylee Kurnot
Malcolm Patton
Bridget White
Brooklyn Williams
Betty Bayne Barnes Scholarship for Women
Kadie Keslar
Burchinal Family Endowment
Taney Basinger
Grace Bosnic
Bethany DuBois
Diana Fink
Brianna Hensh
Connor Kalich
Kadie Keslar
Josh Lomax
Aubriana Pesuti
Erica Rishel
Career and Technical Education Scholarship
Shelby Hall
CFFC Board of Directors Scholarship
Laila Suarez
Chris G. and Alice Omiros Scholars Fund
A’kira Dade
Cupelli Family Scholarship
Brianna Hensh
Darrell L. and Norma R. Uphold Family Scholarship
Mattalynn Schiffbauer
Deana Martorella Memorial Scholarship
Bella Carroto
Dr. Dennis F. Brestensky Scholarship
Logan Hoffer
Dr. Paul Pipik Scholarship for Study in the Health Sciences
Lauren Klink
Dr. William C. Thomas, Jr. Perseverance Scholarship for past recipients
Karsyn Lucy
George M. and Anna w. Hochheimer Scholarship
Josh Lomax
Helen Hulvey Scheggia Nursing Scholarship
Haley Filcheck
Henry J. Oppermann Scholarship
Grace Bosnic
Ian Zerecheck
Hughes Family Scholarship
Timothy Lacek
Johnson Matthey Scholarship
Lauren Colgan
Elyse Hughes
Kathleen DiMarco Gulino Memorial Scholarship
Matthew South
Laurel Business Institute Scholarship in Memory of Ruth and Milton Decker
Zaidan Bochnak
Kevin Morrison
Eric Reed
Laurel Highlands Mustang Academic Scholarship
Addyson Nose
Matthew South
Legacy Scholarship of Ernst Gottlieb Braun
Joshua Dankle
Lillian’s Legacy Scholarship
Paige Miller
Maximus Nassar
Melisha Robinson
Lulu A. Dudley Scholarship
Brooke Eutsey
Kennedy Orndorff
Frances and George J. Plava Educational Award
Hadyn Chipps
Lauren Colgan
Mary Jane Dailey Wood Scholarship
Ava Crofcheck
Kennedy Roskopp
Dominic Scott
Maurice M. Bortz and Bessie D. Rinehart Memorial Scholarship
Connor Kalich
Melvin J. and Beatrice Vance Keller Memorial Scholarship
Tagan Basinger
Michael S. Carbonara Memorial Scholarship
Madison McClean
My Mother’s Legacy Scholarship
Avery Maldovan
Jaylee Moorhead
Nancy Vance Jones Scholarship
Madison McClean
Rebecca Mihalko
Jaylee Moorhead
Magdalen Williams
Palmer F. Sabatine Scholarship
Khalia Batie
Parker A. Hess Memorial Scholarship
Parker King
Aubriana Pesuti
Rita P. Peters Scholarship
Bella Miller
Robert and Marjorie Rager Scholarship
Kirra Davis
Robert E. and Elouise R. Eberly Scholarship
Benjamin Diamond
Sam’s Symphony of Love Scholarship
Bella Carroto
Sergeant Eric Hull Memorial Scholarship
Tate Musko
Suzanne J. McMonagle Nursing Scholarship
Kiera McLaughlin
Tolstoi Family Scholarship
Jace Deli
Shelby Hall
Landen Taylor
Tylar Andaloro Memorial Scholarship
Kathryn Chiado
Aubriana Pesuti
Uniontown College Club CFFC Scholarship
Hadyn Chipps
Casey Fijalkovic
Lindsay Klink
Virginia Eberharter Scholarship
Jodi Lowery
Delaney Reese
Virginia Springer Memorial Scholarship
Julie Cooper
Nina D’Andrea
Rebecca Mihalko
Grace Taylor
Kaleb Walls
Wolford Swimmer Memorial Scholarship
Emily Angelo
Caylee Balabon
Tagan Basinger
Chaz Berkshire
James Brown
Iris Burd
Sienna Dean
Jocelyn Gratchic
Gabriel Kemp
Hanna Lucente
Eva Lypson
Noah Maceiko
Jacqueline Maendel
Natayah Moten
Cecilia Mrosko
Anthony Muccioli
Vincenzo Muccioli
Bella Palm
Madison Rosier
Braylin Salisbury
Serenity Swihart-Fullem
Autumn Taylor
Colby Voyten
Ian Zerecheck
Zackery R. Nelson Memorial Scholarship
Aubriana Pesuti
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by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 24, 2024 | CFFC News
This year, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To help reflect on CFFC’s role in the community and set focus on the desired impact for the future, the foundation has created a Strategic Plan for 2024-2027.
Pictured: (bottom row, left to right) Casey Leonard, Garnet Gordon, Angela Braun, Terry Burden, CJ Callahan, Renee Couser, (top row, left to right) Rebecca Wardle, Jim Kline, Jordan Pallitto, Josh Ellsworth, David Hughes, Jim Foutz, Ron Gabriel, Michael George, Larry Kiefer, Brandon Katzeff. Missing from photo: Ed Balling, Ed Capuzzi, Jim Higinbotham, Will James, John LaCarte, Lee O’Neil,
Throughout the past 25 years, the foundation has granted over $15 million to the community. CFFC’s philanthropy is credited to the collective effort of many generous and passionate people who help to make a positive impact.
Foundation board members and staff worked with The Hill Group, a management consultant firm, over the course of eight months to strategize for increased impact for the county, nonprofits, and donors.
CFFC’s Strategic Planning Committee during a meeting with Jordan Pallitto of The Hill Group.
The Strategic Plan includes an update to the foundation’s mission statement: “Our mission is to build a stronger Fayette County by inspiring charitable giving, supporting nonprofits, and nurturing positive community impact.”
CFFC created a vision statement: “We envision a thriving Fayette County that is uplifted by generous donors and strong nonprofits.” To complement the mission and vision, the foundation identified four values as stability, community, impact, and integrity.
Committee members categorized CFFC’s priorities.
Strategic goals will guide CFFC’s work in the coming years, centered around the following categories: growth and impact; awareness and engagement; organization and operations.
“Many of the goals and priorities in this Strategic Plan are targets we’ve discussed over the years. Now, the board and staff have a guide for achieving the charitable impact we all want to see. We’re grateful to everyone who helped throughout this Strategic Plan process,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
View the summary page of CFFC’s Strategic Plan.
CFFC Strategic Plan - Summary Page
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 19, 2024 | CFFC News
Forty (40) charities have already registered to participate in Fayette Gives, a 12-hour fundraising marathon for local charities that is hosted by the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). This year’s giving day will take place on November 7, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. Charities that wish to participate must register on the website by August 30.
Last year’s Fayette Gives raised $687,046 for ninety (90) Fayette County charities. A total of over $2 million has been raised through the first four years of Fayette Gives, thanks to the generous donations from the public and sponsors. (Sponsorships are being accepted for Fayette Gives 2024.)
CFFC is working with a different platform this year to host the Fayette Gives website, called GiveGab/Bonterra. “The new features will add value for the participating charities. They’ll have more options for creating a compelling, personalized Fayette Gives profile, and they’ll have real-time access to donation reports to strengthen their fundraising and stewardship,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Also new to this year’s Fayette Gives are cash prizes for charities. Previously, donors were incentivized by a bonus pool that would stretch each donation, based on a prorated percentage. The cash prizes will be based on certain criteria (such as dollar amount raised, number of donors, random selection, timeframes, and charity size) and awarded to charities throughout Fayette Gives day on November 7.
“Fayette Gives has been a great way for the foundation to facilitate charitable giving. You can donate to multiple charities, all in one place – all in one day. It’s an impactful day for the county and for the wonderful charities that work so hard to help others,” said Angela Braun, DC, CFFC Board Chair.
Charities can learn more at www.fayettegives.org and visit the “Trainings” page to register for the next live webinar on August 14 at 10:00 a.m. Please contact Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x203 or rebecca@cffayettepa.org with questions.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 11, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County, has awarded over $25,000 to Fayette Emergency Medical Services (EMS) since 2019 for PPE gloves, portable radios, EMT training classes, and general operating support. With their most recent grant from the fund, Fayette EMS purchased Nitronox units – machines that are used to administer pain medications.
Matthew Knight, Fayette EMS Assistant Chief, at CFFC’s spring 2023 grants presentation
“Fayette EMS is beyond grateful for the grants awarded to us by CFFC. It is because of these extra funds that we are able to continue purchasing new and improved equipment to help us serve the residents of our community,” said Beth Burd, Fayette EMS Director of Finance & HR Coordinator.
Without a Nitronox unit, only Paramedics are able to give pain medications and they are sometimes called to a scene and are “out of service” to their current crew. Nitronox units enable Advanced EMTs to also give these medications. With Fayette EMS responding to over 20,000 calls per year, any opportunity to improve their care to residents is impactful.
“By receiving these units and allowing our Advanced EMTs to be able to give pain medications that currently only Paramedics can give, it will better allow us to keep our ambulances moving and staffed throughout the county,” explained Burd.
The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents. The Community Foundation of Fayette County is happy to steward this charitable fund, along with many others, in the efforts of building a stronger Fayette through philanthropy.
Watch this short video to learn more: https://youtu.be/F3l4RaRlGMc
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 5, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
At Ben Franklin Elementary/Middle School: George Belch, Building Construction Instructor; Fayette CTI students who constructed Buddy Benches; Bernadette Ptak; Nate White, Instructional Supervisor
Think back to the excitement of the playground during grade school recess… the bright sunshine as you exit the school building, the smell of freshly cut grass, the feeling of mulch under your feet as you navigate through the jungle gym, and the energy of your classmates around you. Children may have some days when they feel isolated from all of that action though, and a local couple has worked with the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) to help.
The John and Bernadette Ptak Family Fund, held at CFFC, is a donor advised fund that was created by its namesake. The fund provided a grant for Buddy Benches at Ben Franklin Elementary/Middle School, Lafayette Elementary/Middle School, Marclay Elementary School, and Wharton Elementary School. One bench was installed at each of those four schools in the Uniontown Area School District.
Buddy Benches are used on school playgrounds as a way for students to signal to others that they are feeling lonely and need a friend to play with or someone to talk to. When a child sits on the Buddy Bench, other classmates are encouraged to invite that child to play with them.
The Ptaks knew they wanted to utilize their charitable giving to install Buddy Benches at local schools, and CFFC was ready to make that happen. Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, reached out to Fayette County Career & Technical Institute (CTI) to ask if they could construct the benches. George Belch, Building Construction Instructor, said it was a go.
Fayette CTI students – six in particular – constructed the four benches. The John and Bernadette Ptak Family Fund grant provided funding for materials to construct the Buddy Benches.
When seeing a Buddy Bench for the first time, Mrs. Ptak gratefully said to the Fayette CTI students, “Thank you so much. You did a wonderful job.” The bench installations at the school playgrounds will serve as a tool for kindness for years to come.
Featured on KDKA-TV’s “Community Compass” segment: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/video/four-buddy-benches-created-for-four-uniontown-area-school-district-playgrounds-community-compass/