The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan has awarded over $126,250 in scholarships and awards to students in 25 school districts throughout the region. Eighty two students received scholarships, all made possible through the generous donors who have established charitable funds within the Community Foundation.
Some of the newest funds under the administration of the Community Foundation are:
The Matthew R. Bertholf Scholarship Fund. This Fund awarded a $1,000 scholarship to graduate Andrew Exner. This fund was established to honor and remember a remarkable young man, Matthew “Matty” Bertholf, who was the epitome of what it meant to live in and embrace Sullivan County. This Fund will award scholarships to graduating seniors of the Tri-Valley Central School District who plan to continue their education in the fields of trades or applied technology
Jane Unhjem Memorial Scholarship Fund. This Fund awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Goshen High School graduate Francesca Lucia Carlucci. Created to celebrate the life of this vibrant educator, wife, mother, daughter, and esteemed community leader who passed away on August 19, 2012 from injuries sustained in the crash of a small airplane. Established by her loving husband and college sweetheart, Erik, this fund will provide scholarships to graduating Goshen High School students who wish to study abroad. Jane’s love of life, her infectious energy, believer in education, passion for the work of the Goshen Rotary Club and international exchange program for students from around the world, and work as a passionate advocate for the music and arts programs as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Development in the Goshen Central School District, will be celebrated and remembered through this scholarship fund.
Elissa Lippen/Matthew Helm Memorial Scholarship Fund. This Fund awarded a $500 scholarship to Fallsburgh High School graduate Samantha Rolon. Established as a component charitable fund of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan. Originally created in 1995 in the Fallsburg School District as a legacy to honor and celebrate the lives of two close friends who lost their life together in a fire in 1995. Elissa Lippen and Metthew Helm were childhood sweethearts who graduated from Fallsburg Centreal High School in June 1991. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors at Fallsburg Central High School
The Oscar B. Greenleaf Memorial Scholarship Fund. This Fund awarded a $20,000 scholarship to Port Jervis High School graduate Krushna Shah. This Fund created through a bequest, memorializes the name Oscar B. Greenleaf forever through scholarships that are awarded annually at Port Jervis High School.
The Lillian J. Bauer Memorial Scholarship. This Fund awarded a $10,000 scholarship to Port Jervis High School graduate Victoria Blancato and a $5,000 scholarship to graduate Joshua Ramos. This Fund created through a bequest, memorializes Port Jervis resident Lillian J. Bauer.
The Jodi’s Drive Scholarship Fund. This Fund awarded a $700 scholarship to Warwick High School graduate Georgia Bender. This Fund was established by family and friends of Jodi-Ann Denmead, a loving wife and proud mother, dedicated community volunteer, and an avid sports fan who passed away in 2009 at the age of 47 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Jodi’s “drive” to make the world a better place through her support of many community initiatives will be celebrated and honored through the scholarships that will be awarded from this fund to graduating students of Warwick Valley High School.
About the Community Foundation: The Community Foundation was established in 1999 as a vehicle to promote philanthropy in perpetuity for charitable organizations throughout our region. The Community Foundation currently administers more than 155 charitable funds. Since the Community Foundation’s inception, more than $7 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded. For more information about the Community Foundation please call 845-769-9393 or visit www.cfoc-ny.org.
