THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HERKIMER & ONEIDA COUNTIES, INC. TEAMS UP WITH ACCENT ON EXCELLENCE FOR A PHILANTHROPIC TICKET

 

           In this election year, The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties is engaging the young professionals in our area in the voting process. Accent on Excellence honorees from all classes will act as delegates and select (by secret ballot, of course) a grant to be made in honor of the 2008 Accent class. The potential grantees, each a fully vetted not-for-profit organization, will be presented to the group at the Accent on Excellence cocktail reception on Wednesday, October 15.

           Current and previous Accent recipients will vote on which program will receive a $1,500 grant from the Accent on Excellence Community Fund of The Community Foundation. Each person will vote for one of the following programs:

 

• Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program, a project of Utica College and the Utica City School District,
• Ygirls, a program of the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley, or,
• Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC), a collaboration between the Rome City School District and the United States Air Force JROTC. 

The winner of the grant will be announced at the Accent on Excellence luncheon on October 16.

             Peggy O’Shea, President and CEO of The Community Foundation, said, “We are all fortunate to have such a wonderful group of young leaders who are committed to the area. Through their work, community involvement and volunteer activities, they represent a bright future for Herkimer and Oneida counties and beyond. Our goal is to open their eyes to some of the truly amazing not-for-profit organizations that are cultivating the next generation of leaders, and showing them the positive impact that their philanthropy has on our region.”

The Community Foundation has been a force for improving lives and promoting philanthropy throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties since 1952. The Foundation has made more than 3,800 grants totaling over $26.8 million in support of causes ranging from education to health care, the arts to the environment. Grants are generated by the more than 240 funds that comprise The Foundation’s endowment, established and advanced by area individuals and families.

             Accent on Excellence is an awards program focused on recognizing and encouraging the young leaders of the area. The program was founded in 2000 by the Observer-Dispatch and Northland Communications to honor residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties younger than 40 who are making a difference in the community.