See more of the Samosky photos in Flickr!

This is Evan Samosky.  He’s 6. And a philanthropist!

Even while Evan was still in his birthmother’s womb; Frank and Kristen Samosky provided for his prenatal care and prayed for his safe arrival.  They were blessed with a healthy and active baby and from the outset knew that it was their responsibility to provide him with a life full of love, fun and compassion.  Evan was saved from a life that could possibly have been full of hardship and despair and was set upon a path of certain success based on one philosophy-if you want to receive more, give more.  Evan was a gift they would not take for granted.  Here’s (part of) their story.

Mary and I came to know the Samosky family as we stopped after Wednesday night choir practices for a treat at their business, Kittanning Dairy Queen.  We learned that fellow Foundation Board Director Jerry Arbaugh had challenged them to start a fund.  During our many conversations, it became apparent that the Samoskys were focused upon three things; working hard to make a difference with their lives, making a commitment to each other and their son Evan, and giving back to give thanks for what they have. 

While talking about philanthropy, we shared a story of Ben Franklin, who established a trust in 1790 with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the amount of 1000 Pounds Sterling (about $4000.00).  He instructed that this amount be invested for 200 years, and at the end of that period, that the money be used to do good.  It grew to over 2 million dollars.  Our Executive Director, Mindy Knappenberger applied for and the foundation received $16,418.83 from Ben Franklin’s original gift to establish the Ben Franklin Trust with the ACCF, which will go on giving forever to “do good” in our communities. 

Soon Frank and Kristen accepted our invitation to attend the ACCF Annual Dinner; it was at that event that the Samoskys took their philanthropy one step further by establishing a Donor Advised Fund.  This was about more than giving back to their community, it was about sharing the joy of giving with their son.  They put his name right on it – The Frank, Kristen, and Evan Samosky Fund.  This endowed fund will allow them to make grants to nonprofits in our own community each and every year, and as Evan gets older he will become more involved with the grantmaking, first helping to make the decisions, and eventually contributing to the fund. 

As a friend of the ACCF, I know you understand what it feels like to give money to fulfill a need in our community.  Whose life will you impact with your gift today?  For whom will you set an example? 

We are asking you to consider a gift of $100, $250, $500, $1000, or another amount significant to you, before the end of the year to support the work of the Armstrong County Community Foundation.  This tax-deductible gift will ensure support for our community organizations.  Remember that in order to take advantage of a tax deduction in 2011, your contribution must be postmarked by December 31^st. 

Donate to the 2011 Annual Campaign 

The Armstrong County Community Foundation is an asset in our community that has been established for the long term.  It provides donors, like the Samoskys, Mary and me, and you the opportunity to impact our community by working together for the future more effectively than we can do individually. 

Thank you in advance for your generosity, kindness, and forward-thinking.

If you are interested in learning more about establishing an endowed fund at the Foundation, please speak with Jessica Coil at 724.548.1261, myself, or any of these fine Armstrong County citizens, who serve as the ACCF Board of Directors:

Lance Whiteman, President

Christine Moss, Vice President

Autumn Vorpe-Seyler, Treasurer

Chase McClister, Secretary

Richard Snyder, Director Emeritus

Jerry Arbaugh

Thank you,

 Frank and Mary Baker

P.S. — Your contribution of $100, $250, $500, $1000, or another amount significant to you, before the end of the year is important for our community.  In order to take advantage of a tax deduction in 2011, your contribution must be postmarked by December 31^st.  Donations may also be made securely online here.  Thank you again for your support.

Non-profit training for the Day of Giving is Thursday, March 15, 2012.

A photo a day for a year, all about Armstrong County–let’s show off all those people, places, and things that we love about our home.  What would you tell a visitor to our community?  What should they see?  Who has wonderful stories to tell?  And so much natural beauty . . . .

The ACCF and the Armstrong County Tourist Bureau have teamed up to bring you Project 365: Armstrong County, and we need YOU.  Submission of your photos is easy, thanks to our friends Tiffany and Jared at Allegheny Graphics–just go here, and follow the instructions. 

Your photo may be selected as a “photo of the month,” which will be eligible for a grand prize at the end of 2009.

Happy New Year from the board and staff of the Armstrong County Community Foundation!

While we are waiting for the proposals for our $10,000 10th Anniversary Grant opportunity, let’s think about philanthropy for a few minutes.

If YOU had $1 million dollars to give to charity and had to give it all in one place, what cause or organization would you support and why? 

Some of you may know immediately, but I’m thinking it won’t be as easy a decision as it may seem . . . .

 . . . and YOU get the present!

Because the Armstrong County Community Foundation has so much respect for our community and its citizens, we are offering a special opportunity to our nonprofit organizations to submit ideas to strengthen our Armstrong County communities.  The 10 proposed projects that best express community value (will it provide a service or activity of lasting value?) and community connections (will it build or strengthen partnerships, collaboration, and connections among its participants, target audience, and/or community?) will be posted on our website. 

Then . . .

the project with the most public support (individuals will be invited to vote for their favorite proposal) will be awarded our ACCF 10th Anniversary $10,000 grant award!

We are excited about the potential when our citizens are engaged and given the chance to decide what issues to address and how.  As members of the Armstrong County community, we all need to “own” our challenges and the opportunities, and we need to do it together.

Check out the details here:  http://www.accfound.org/vision/Aug08.pdf

Infinity

Did you know that Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags each year?  That is the equivalent to dumping nearly 12 million barrels of oil!

CNN says that the Center for Marine Conservation recorded that plastic bags account for 10% of the debris washed up on the US coastline.  The World Wildlife Fund reports that the effect on wildlife is catastrophic because nearly 200 species of wildlife (including whales, dolphins, seals, and turtles), die after ingesting plastic bags, which they mistake for food.  Look here to see plastic bag litter right here in Armstrong County.

By purchasing (and using!) our reusable bags, you not only help our environment, but Infinity.  Infinity members and others have purchased them for personal use, for gifts, and for gift bags–a double gift that keeps on giving–only 2/$5.

You can print an order form here, or pick our bags up at several locations in Armstrong County:  the ACCF office, the Armstrong County Tourist Bureau, Allegheny Graphics, Leechburg Floral Co., and the Worthington-West Franklin Community Library.

We make it easy to care about our community our world!

Infinity, the ACCF women’s giving circle, believes that small efforts, when combined with other people, add up to big results:

• $1 a day from Infinity Grantmakers makes the group a philanthropic force
• Switching to reusable bags can save literally millions of dollars in disposal costs and millions of gallons of petroleum (the petroleum in only 14 plastic bags will drive a car a whole mile!)

Join with the ACCF and Infinity and GO GREEN by purchasing our reusable shopping bags for only $3 each or 2/$5! The bags are available at the ACCF office, Allegheny Graphics, the Armstrong County Tourist Bureau, and Worthington-West Franklin Library.

Did you know that in 2007, you–our donors, board, and volunteers:

Awarded $175,000 in local grants and scholarships?

Distributed 4,000 free books to at-risk kids?

Helped the local library bring “The Big Read” to Armstrong County?

Provided local nonprofits with assistance?

Awarded 12 post-secondary scholarships?

YOU have done all that and more.  THANK YOU.

As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary in 2008, join us and make our region an even better place to live and work.    Visit the links here on the website for more information, and call Mindy today. 

Your community–your foundation, the ACCF.

Happy New Year!

Yay!  Community Connections, an initiative of Pittsburgh 250 administered by The Sprout Fund, today announced the selection of 100 regional and grassroots projects to receive a total of $1 million in funding for activities and events occurring during the region’s 250th anniversary in 2008.  It was so difficult for those of us who served on the grantmaking committees not to tell–we are so excited for the awardees and for our communities.

An overview of the process and the partners that made these projects possible (including the Armstrong County Community Foundation!), visit Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections.  To view the complete list of grant awards, visit the Community Connections Funded Projects page. 

CONGRATULATIONS!

The mission of Arts on the Allegheny, a new nonprofit organization, is “to enrich the cultural life of western Pennsylvania by presenting quality performers and artists at the Kittanning Riverfront Park and other venues.”

Arts on the Allegheny is a committee inititated by Kittanning Borough Council and comprised of citizens of Armstrong County [Michael Johnston, Chase McClister, Mary Ann Valasek, Patty Goldman, Carolyn Snyder, Kathy Coleman, Lisa McDonald, and not pictured, Ken Beer and Mindy Knappenberger] with a primary mission to bring quality entertainment to the John P. Murtha Amphitheater in Kittanning’s Riverfront Park. 

Arts on the Allegheny will provide three signature performances by well-known entertainers in its premier 2008 season.  The River City Brass Band–a local favorite–is confirmed for July.  We are currently negotiating with Gaelic Storm for June and The Clarks for August! 

“Arts on the Allegheny seeks the financial support and resources of community and regional partners to see that this mission comes to fruition.”  (In normal-speak, this means that we will be fundraising to pay the bands . . . )  Donations are tax-deductible and may be mailed to “Arts on the Allegheny,” PO Box 1015, Kittanning, PA 16201.