by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 7, 2022 | CFFC News, Gala of Giving, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) thanks everyone who attended and supported the inaugural Gala of Giving – “Catalyst for Change” on March 26, 2022 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. It was a fabulous evening, and the ballroom was full of enthusiasm.
“It’s clear that the mission of this event has resonated with people… we all want to see a bigger change, a bolder impact, and a better Fayette County,” said Dan Gearing, Gala of Giving Chair.
The generous support of event sponsors, auction item donations, program ads, individual ticket purchases, and volunteers made this event possible. And the support continued throughout the entire evening. Guests bid on a wide variety of silent and live auction items… from high-end jewelry, golf foursomes, and wine… to tropical get-aways, sports memorabilia, and arts and entertainment tickets.
J.D. Ewing, CFFC Board Chair, addressed the ballroom, saying in part: “We’re proud of [CFFC’s] impact in the community, and we know there’s a lot more work that needs to be done to help Fayette County reach its full potential. The Gala of Giving is our new effort to spark change and growth on a higher level – on a bigger scale – than ever before. The foundation wants to invest in projects that will make a significant change, and we know it takes time, money, and partnerships to make that possible.”
In the spirit of partnership, Gala of Giving guests were asked to complete a feedback card to list what they believe to be the top three challenges that Fayette County faces. CFFC will review the responses and use them as a guide for selecting an initiative to fund, in the goal of being a “catalyst for change” in Fayette County.
CFFC extends a sincere thank-you to everyone who made it possible to raise over $280,000 for the inaugural Gala of Giving! Guests have already asked to reserve tickets for next year’s event, and we look forward to continuing this bold new effort to help Fayette County reach its full potential. Community members can join the effort by donating to the Gala of Giving Fund.
Special Thanks to our Generous Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors: COE Distributing; Ford Office Technologies; Gismondi Family Foundation; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; Sprowls Insurance Group; Wells Fargo Advisors.
Gold Sponsors: 84 Lumber Company/Nemacolin; Fairchance Construction Company; Fayette Pipe Company; First National Bank; Arthur Gabriel; Joyce’s Jewelry; Mountain Creek Properties; Neubauer’s Flowers; Pine Hollow Mechanical, Inc.; Radcliffe Law, LLC; Joshua and Maria Swimmer; Stahls’; Stoney’s Brewing Company; Time Out Batting Cages; Janney Montgomery Scott LLC –Uniontown Office; United Bank; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
Silver Sponsors: The Braun Family; Edward and Julie Capuzzi; First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; Liberty Steel; McClure & Wolfe; Montgomery Medical; PNC; Somerset Trust Company; State Farm, Lauren Yohman; John and Lisa Sunyecz; Watson Mundorff LLP.
Bronze Sponsors: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Highlands Hospital; Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus; Unity Printing.
Patron Sponsors: Todd and Beth Casteel; Charlie and Renee Couser; DiMarco’s; Donald M. Miller Inc.; Mid Penn Bank; Zodiac Management Services, LLC.
Hospitality Sponsors: Reschini Agency; Sunbelt Marketing, Inc. Employee Sunshine Fund; Universal Steel Company.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 18, 2022 | Building a Stronger Fayette
As spring approaches, we look forward to blooming begonias and varying vegetables in our gardens. Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc. (FCCAA) supports multiple gardens here in Fayette County to involve community members in growing fresh produce. In 2021, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund grant to support FCCAA’s gardening efforts.
“Through our grant we were able to provide 60 gardeners with tools of their own to use while gardening, such as hand tillers, shovels, and gloves,” said FCCAA’s Rita Masi. They worked on raised beds in Uniontown, Lemont Furnace, and Connellsville.
FCCAA partners with organizations such as East End United Community Center, and provided materials and tools for a rain water collection barrel to be used at the gardens across the street from the Center. They also provided water hoses to some sites, adding to the necessary tools to keep these gardens going for multiple seasons.
“The experiences throughout the spring, summer and early fall were firsts for many of the participants and they are looking forward to the 2022 growing season. Many have shared their desire to return and help in these beds again,” said Masi. “But we feel the greatest accomplishment of this grant is the community-building and positive changes in mental health. The gentlemen who worked in the gardens [at FCCAA’s permanent housing sites] loved doing this and took such pride in their achievements,” she explained.
In addition to community garden projects, FCCAA addresses nutrition through the SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education Program, the Republic Food Enterprise Center (RFEC), the FCCAA Food Bank, and more. CFFC is happy to support organizations and programs, like these, that are building a stronger Fayette.
Photo submitted by FCCAA
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 2, 2022 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Submitted photo from Daily Courier article: (from left) Mike Petrone, Connellsville Lions Club; Phyllis Kovall, Connellsville Lions Club; Jim Porterfield, South Connellsville VFD; Barb Cassel, Connellsville Lions Club; Jeff Layton, New Haven VFD; Robbie Lieberger, Connellsville Township VFD; Jobe Slezak, Bullskin Township VFD; and Jim Daugherty, Morrell VFD.
The Connellsville Lions Club initiated a fund drive to support five local volunteer fire departments. They challenged other organizations and individuals to match their donation to the fire departments, and they distributed $7,000 in 2021.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) contributed to their effort with a $2,000 grant from the Emergency Relief Fund. During a time when first responders’ typical fundraising events were affected by the pandemic, CFFC was happy to support not one, but five organizations through the Lions Club’s program.
The five volunteer fire departments (VFDs) were Bullskin Township VFD, New Haven VFD, Connellsville Township VFD, Morell VFD, and South Connellsville VFD. The Lions Club anticipated most of the VFDs to use the funding for equipment and supplies to sustain their organizations.
People get excited to join an effort that is well-supported and has a strong promise of success. “The monies presented through this grant enabled us to approach other businesses and individuals in our community and ask for their help also,” said Phyllis Kovall, Past President of Connellsville Lions Club.
“Nonprofits could not exist and do their jobs without the help of organizations such as CFFC,” said Kovall. In addition to supporting VFDs, the Lions Club contributes to revitalization projects, community events, and various other forms of community service. CFFC’s grantmaking program supports organizations like these in the collective effort of building a stronger Fayette.
#BuildingAStrongerFayette
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 27, 2022 | CFFC News, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is happy to announce the election of new officers and board members for 2022.
Chair: James D. Ewing
Vice Chair: Angela Braun, D.C.
Secretary: Ronald Gabriel
Treasurer: James R. Foutz, CPA
Past Chair: Daniel Gearing
CFFC welcomes:
Michael George
William James
Brandon Katzeff
Continuing Board members:
Edward Balling
Terry Burden
Clifford J. Callahan, CPA
Edward Capuzzi, Jr.
Beth Casteel
Garnet Gordon, Esq.
Lawrence J. Kiefer
John LaCarte
Joshua Swimmer
CFFC extends a sincere thank-you to David R. Hughes, Joy G. Huston, and William Radcliffe for their service on the board of directors up through 2021.
“We’re grateful to have a board that is actively involved in CFFC’s work and committed to improving Fayette County,” said Executive Director Renee Couser. CFFC’s board members come from a variety of backgrounds and all have the common goal of building a stronger Fayette through CFFC’s mission.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 24, 2022 | CFFC News, Gala of Giving, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is excited to announce the inaugural Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change! This marquee event will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The event’s mission is to strengthen Fayette County through financial support of initiatives and projects that will aim to improve our community.
Make your online reservation now!
Sponsorship & Auction Items:
To learn how you can support this event, please contact Trish Desvarro, Event Manager, at desvarro@gmail.com or 724-557-0820.
Learn more about Gala of Giving:
CFFC is committed to making Fayette County a better place for all to live, and great work has been accomplished over the last 22 years of investing in charitable organizations and programs that directly benefit the county and its diverse population. The passion to continue making a meaningful impact is now moving to the next level with the Gala of Giving.
“The goal is to make a significant investment in projects that can affect real change and growth in Fayette County,” said Dan Gearing, Gala of Giving Chair.
CFFC invites everyone to play a part in helping to make Fayette County a thriving place to live, work and play. Also, and most importantly, all money raised is for the benefit of Fayette County and will stay in Fayette County. Together we can make a difference, and through the Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change you can join with others across our community in helping to raise the vital funding needed to initiate these bold new projects and programs now and for years to come.
