Fitzgerald is involved.

Fitzgerald, who is chairwoman of the WSKG Public Media board of trustees and serves on the leadership committee for the Womenas Fund of the Community Foundation of South Central New York, said she finds great satisfaction in serving the community.

During a recent interview, she discussed her recent honor by the NY-PENN Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction, the importance of empowering young women and why anyone can get involved in community service.

QUESTION: You were honored by the NY-PENN Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction on April 28 at the Binghamton Club. What does that mean to you?

ANSWER: Iam very humbled by this award, very honored, since it is the Girl Scouts, such a wonderful organization.

Q: Why is the Girl Scouts important to you?

A: I think the Girl Scouts is an important organization because they provide such extensive supportive activities for young women.

Q: How would you define a Woman of Distinction?

A: I feel, myself, that I am a woman of gratitude for the opportunities Iave had to be on various boards of directors of service organization and not-for-profits. I was one of the founding donors several years ago, and I recently joined the leadership committee for the Womenas Fund.

Its role is to enhance and support fundraising among women and to recommend grants to the Community Foundation for institutions and events that actually do improve and empower the lives of women and girls.

Q: Why do you feel it is important to empower young girls?

A: Itas important because young women today have many pressures in their lives, more so than when I was a young girl. Anything that can be done to help young people feel confident in themselves is worthwhile, that allows a young woman to have her opinions and develop leadership skills is worthwhile.

Q: You are involved in the community in many ways, including serving on several boards. FITZGERALD

Age: 66

Home: Vestal

Hometown: Utica

Education: bacheloras degree from the University of Toronto, 1970; masteras degree in library science, University of Toronto, 1973; Juris Doctor degree, Cornell Law School, 1980

Professional life: Attorney and partner at Hinman, Howard & Kattell LLP, specializing in matrimonial and environmental law

Community involvement: Member of and chairperson of the WSKG Public Media Board of Trustees, member of the GoodWill Theatre Board of Trustees, member of the Binghamton University Forum, member of the Board of Directors Womenas Fund of the Community Foundation of South Central New York, Pro Bono Committee, 6th Judicial District, Broome County Bar Association.

Other interests: reading, travel, bridge and golf

Splash pad for East Palestine – SalemNews.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Ohio, Community Information – The Salem News

The Village of East Palestine broke ground for its new Splash Pad on April 6. Money has been donated for the Splash Pad by the East Palestine Community Foundation. Pictured are, first row, from left, Noelle Beagle, Allison Beagle, Melissa Smith; second row, Village Manager Pete Monteleone, Marty Grim, Ellen Beagle, Lynn Gould, Patty Sugar and Julie Young.

The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition has been awarded formal nonprofit status and is launching fundraising efforts to preserve land near the River Parks Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area.

The groupas 501A (3) designation will allow donors to make tax-exempt contributions toward its efforts to acquire and preserve public green space.

A donation account at the Tulsa Community Foundation and an online Go Fund Me account have been created.

aThe account with TCF gives our coalition financial credibility and donors confidence they are donating to a sound and reputable organization,a said Erin Schuster, a member of the coalitionas finance committee.

The organization plans to use the money raised to purchase land for long-term preservation.

The Turkey Mountain trails, which are used by runners, hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders, spill out of the River Parks property onto private land, including the property where developers plan to build an outlet mall.

aOur first priority from Day 1 was to try to stop the development on Turkey Mountain,a said Colin Tawdry, the coalitionas coordinator of government affairs.

The coalition was formed in response to the proposed outlet mall.

Simon Property Group, owner of Woodland Hills Mall, announced plans to build the upscale outlet mall last year.

Critics of the proposal are concerned that the mall would encroach on the trails and spoil the wilderness setting of Turkey Mountain.

aWe noted from the beginning this site had numerous challenges to the sort of development which was proposed, including issues of public interest and safety,a Tawney said.

A hearing for Simonas proposed zoning change application before the Planning Commission is set for June 17.

In a December press release announcing plans for the mall, Mark Silvestri, chief operating officer of Simon Premium Outlets, said the company had already received strong interest from retailers who have aenjoyed great success with us around the country and are very anxious to be with us in Tulsa.a

The land targeted for the mall is already zoned for commercial use.

aWe donat want someone else to slip in and try to develop it,a Tawney said.

The Tulsa Community Foundation is affiliated with the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which owns 139 acres on Turkey Mountain.

training for public school students in New York City.

Creative Capital, New York, N.Y.: To support the Professional Development space and programs.

Harlem Stage, New York, N.Y.: Toward artistic development and education & Center’s STEM Teacher Professional Development programs.

Lincoln Center Theater, New York, N.Y.: Toward the Open Stages teens, building the next group of leaders, creative thinkers and entrepreneurs.

National Dance Institute, New York, N.Y.: Toward arts and learning programs.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York, N.Y.: Toward education programs for engineering.

New York Academy of Sciences, New York, N.Y.: To support the Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program in New York City.

Oakland Zoo, Oakland, Calif.: To support construction of the California Trail, inmates at San Quentin State Prison.

Read Alliance, New York, N.Y.: To support reading programs for young News Literacy Project nationally.

Trustees of Columbia in the City of New York, New York, N.Y.: Toward GRANTS

Alzheimer’s Association New York City Chapter, New York, N.Y.: To support the Hearst Cancer Resource Center Patient Navigation Program.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, N.Y.: Toward child welfare system.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, N.Y.: Toward capital investments at NYP/Weill SERVICE GRANTS

Boy Scouts of America – Greater New York Council, New York, N.Y.: Toward Education & Job Training Program citywide.

Partnership For After School Education (PASE), New York, N.Y.: To learning for low-income youth.

Safe Horizon, New York, N.Y.: Toward the Child Advocacy Centers.

Youth Radio, Oakland, Calif.: To expand the capacity of a national

$13,600 in grants to support better relationships between law enforcement, community | MLive.com

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI The relationship between law enforcement officials and members of the community has been a major talking point in Muskegon County in recent years.

On Thursday, May 7, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County announced that it has approved $13,600 in grants to support programs designed to foster that relationship. This is the first time funds have been awarded for the new, competitive grant program.

Grant requests could be initiated by any Muskegon County police department, or by a school, organization, or governmental unit partnership with a law enforcement agency.

“We are thankful for the Community Foundation’s support,” said Jeffrey Lewis, Director of Public Safety for the City of Muskegon in a news release. “The Muskegon Police are committed to community policing concepts in which citizens and police partner for a safe community. We appreciate the opportunity to build relations with our young citizens, we are hopeful that the grant to fund G.R.E.A.T in our Muskegon Middle School will accomplish that goal.”

Here is a closer look at the grant awards associated with the program:

$1,000 to Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ to support Club 188 as they incorporate weekly law enforcement activities into the cultural arts summer program
$2,000 to the City of Muskegon Heights Community Resource Officer Program that will connect public safety personnel with community members on activities like neighborhood clean-ups and other positive interactions
$3,000 to Muskegon Heights Police Department to support the 2nd Annual Community Safety Day to be held in Rowan Park
$2,000 to Muskegon Public School for Project Connect, a youth action corps at Muskegon Middle School
$3,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters for the Martin Luther King Elementary Academy’s Hometown Hero Lunch Buddies program
$2,600 to the City of Muskegon to support G.R.E.A.T (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Muskegon, a program in partnership with the Muskegon Police Department, and Muskegon Public Schools targeting 7th grade youth

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County awarded $1.3 million to Muskegon County organizations during its spring grant round.

Grant applications are accepted twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Nonprofit organizations interested in seeking grant support from the Community Foundation are encouraged visit www.cffmc.org/receive for additional information about the process.

A complete list of grant awards is available at www.cffmc.org/receive.

Brandon Champion covers arts and entertainment, business, sports and weather for MLive Muskegon Chronicle.

$1.3 million in grants awarded by Community Foundation for Muskegon County | MLive.com

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI The Community Foundation for Muskegon County has announced the recipients of its spring grant round.

In total, $1.3 million was awarded to Muskegon County organizations; $367,911 of which was awarded through the competitive application process which is overseen by numerous volunteer committees.

“These grants connect our committees, donors and nonprofits around a common desire to build a stronger community,” said Chris McGuigan, Foundation president and CEO.

Highlights of the grant awards include:

$10,000 to support the construction of the Hackley Park Stage
$20,000 to the United Way Education Corps Pre-K reading program
$5,000 from the Julia Hackley Fund to Community EnCompass to upgrade the washing machines at Sacred Suds
$35,000 from the Muskegon Area Lions Club Vision Services Fund to the Muskegon Community Health project to support screening and vision services for low-income, underserved residents
$5,500 from the Thomas and Geraldine Seyferth Fund to Mission for Area People to expand their healthy food pantry model into Holton and Whitehall communities
$7,500 from the White Lake Community Fund to Whitehall Schools for the Montague/Whitehall School Meals Transformation project
$6,000 from the CFMC Youth Advisory Council to Health West in support of the Real Voices, Real Choices Youth Summit

Also included in this round of grant-making was an additional $930,799 in support for community nonprofits from Advised and Organizational Funds. Nonprofit organizations interested in seeking grant support from the Community Foundation are encouraged visit www.cffmc.org/receive for additional information about the process.

A complete list of grant awards is available at www.cffmc.org/receive.

Brandon Champion covers arts and entertainment, business, sports and weather for MLive Muskegon Chronicle.

People in the NewsPeople in the News

From left are Liberty Grove treasurer Lou Covotsos, Door County North secretary Cathy Ward, Door County North president Mary Mead, Door County North Community Coordinator Darcie Pilz, State of Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Stephanie Klett along with Rick OaFarrell and Amy Paul from the DC Maritime Museum.(Photo: Submitted by Fred Pilz)

JEM grants awarded

Checks were presented at the Door County Maritime Museum on April 16 from the State of Wisconsin JEM grants to Door County North for its Uncork Summer Food and Wine Festival, as well as the Door County Maritime Museum for its new Sea Dog Exhibit.

AED device

The Sturgeon Bay Masonic Lodge, with funds from the Wisconsin Masonic Medical Foundation, installed and dedicated a new AED device in the Third Avenue Boys and Girls Club House in Sturgeon Bay.

Bill Schaefer of the Sturgeon Bay Masonic Lodge, Julie Davis, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys and Girls Club, and youth members of the Boys and Girls Club stand with the newly installed AED machine.

NME News Future Islands auction Letterman cue cards, shoes and artwork to raise money for Baltimore | NME.COM Future Islands auction Letterman cue cards, shoes and artwork to raise money for Baltimore

The auction page explains that the Baltimore Community Foundation has “a long history of working with neighborhood leaders and community organizations to strengthen neighborhoods, and have always relied on the commitment and the ideas of neighborhood residents to guide this work.

Philanthropy helps students even after graduation, UConn Foundation says

STORRS >> While financial aid and student loans help thousands of students across the country pursue higher education, the University of Connecticut says its philanthropy continues helping students after they graduate.

The more than 8,200 students who will receive degrees from UConn this weekend face less debt, on average, than college students at other public and private universities, according to a release.

More than 80 percent of UConn undergraduates receive some form of financial aid, the release said, and available data shows average student loan debt for UConn students is nearly 20 percent lower than the national average. Over the last five years, the foundation has raised an average of $15.6 million annually for student support, the release said, which includes scholarships, fellowships and assistantships, and offers aid to more than 10,000 students each year.

“Scholarships and financial aid can translate directly into lower student loan payments for graduates,” UConn Foundation President and CEO Joshua R.

Boyd Vision Endowment Fund, carrying on Boyd’s legacy to have funding available to help all people learn about their community and its leaders through the Vision program.

Boyd Vision Endowment Fund, carrying on Boyd’s legacy to have funding available to help all people learn about their community and its leaders through the Vision program. Vision alumni raise $5,000 for endowment fundVision alumni reached their goal of raising $5,000 to start the John L. Boyd Vision Endowment Fund, carrying on Boyd’s legacy to have funding…May 8, 2015 5:35 PM

Vision alumni reached their goal of raising $5,000 to start the John L. Boyd Vision Endowment Fund, carrying on Boyd’s legacy to have funding available to help all people learn about their community and its leaders through the Vision program. The leader of Vision’s class of 2014, Wendy Hamil, presented Boyd with the check at the Class of 2015 Vision Graduation luncheon on Tuesday.