DWIGHT VICKS, JR. AND YOUNG SCHOLARS PROGRAM RECEIVE AWARDS FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HERKIMER & ONEIDA COUNTIES
The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., honored a respected community leader and one of the area’s most effective service organizations with prestigious awards on June 9, 2010.
Dwight E. Vicks, Jr. received the 2010 Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy and Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program was presented with the 2010 Community Impact Award. The awards were given as part of The Community Foundation’s Celebration of Community Giving at the Stanley Center for the Arts.
The Rosamond Childs Award is given to an individual who exhibits the spirit of giving and profound commitment to the community as exemplified by Rosamond G. Childs, The Foundation’s first and most generous benefactor. Dwight Vicks, Jr. was a trustee of The Community Foundation for 17 years and served as its second board president, from 1992-1995. During his time on the board, he worked tirelessly to ensure The Foundation’s future by growing its assets, which allowed for greater community grantmaking, and putting important policies and long-term plans in place. He led his family business, Vicks Lithograph, for decades and served as a trustee for several organizations and businesses in addition to The Community Foundation.
The Community Impact Award recognizes a not-for-profit organization that has used its grant support for extraordinary impact and results, and demonstrates excellence in services and programs. Over the course of 16 years, The Community Foundation has made 17 grants totaling more than $268,000 to Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program, and awarded $250,000 in college scholarships to students from the program. Young Scholars is a partnership between the Utica City School District and Utica College; it is a multi-year program designed to meet the challenge of motivating teenage students to stay in school, earn a diploma and pursue post-secondary education.
The Community Foundation also formally welcomed two new trustees at the celebration. Richard Callahan, retired Partners Trust Bank Vice President and Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Regional President, began their first 3-year terms in May, following The Foundation’s annual meeting. Outgoing trustees Robert Julian, Esq. and Theodore Max, MD were thanked for their combined 13 years of service on behalf of the residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties.
“We need look no further than these dedicated community members to see the commitment and compassion that is a hallmark of our area. People like Mr. Vicks, those who work on behalf of Young Scholars and volunteer trustees are truly dedicated to the region and believe in the potential of its residents. We are indebted to them as a community, for they have helped make us stronger,” said Peggy O’Shea, Foundation president and CEO.
This is the fifth annual presentation of these awards. Previous recipients of the Rosamond Childs Award are Richard Hanna, F. Eugene Romano and the late Richard W. Couper and Addison White. In 2006, two not-for-profit organizations, CAP-21 and Compassion Coalition, received the Community Impact Award. It was awarded to Thea Bowman House in 2007, Community Transportation Systems in 2008 and Johnson Park Center in 2009.
