Richard Hanna and Thea Bowman House Receive Major Awards

From The Community Foundation

 

The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., today (Wednesday, May 2) honored one of the region’s most esteemed philanthropists and one of the most effective service organizations with prestigious awards.

              Richard L. Hanna of Barneveld and Cooperstown received the 2007 Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy and Thea Bowman House, Inc. of Utica received the 2007 Community Impact Award. The presentations were made at The Community Foundation’s Celebration of Philanthropy held at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford in conjunction with the organization’s 2007 annual meeting and 55th anniversary celebration.

              The Rosamond Childs Award is given to a man or woman 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. The recipient is distinguished by compassion, leadership, humility and love of the area.

The Community Impact Award recognizes nonprofit excellence in services and programs. The award honors an organization that has used its grant support for extraordinary impact and results.

“In a community such as ours, which so openly cares and gives, selecting the 2007 honorees was no easy task. We didn’t expect it to be. However, these recipients have achieved above and beyond even our community’s highest standards in making a positive difference in countless ways,” said Peggy O’Shea, Foundation president/CEO.

This is the second year both awards were presented. The 2006 recipient of the Rosamond Childs Award, given posthumously, was Richard W. Couper. Two vital nonprofits, CAP-21 and Compassion Coalition, received the 2006 Community Impact Award.

Richard L. Hanna

              Hanna has been actively involved with The Foundation for over ten years providing distinguished service on its board, including two years as board chair and four years as grants committee co-chair. Through his fund at The Community Foundation, the Richard & Kimberly Hanna Fund, he has made 164 grants responding to the diverse needs of the community.

              In addition, he is active with many other local boards and not-for-profit organizations in the community.

              “Richard has largely, but not exclusively, chosen to exercise his philanthropy in partnership with The Community Foundation responding to the current and emerging needs through his grantmaking. He is so very deserving on this award,” stated O’Shea.

 

Thea Bowman House

Based in Utica, Thea Bowman House provides youth programs including, licensed day care, Universal pre-kindergarten program, “Kids with Promise” for local teens and “Domestic Violence Ended (DOVE)” that reaches out to any of the agency’s 340 children who are experiencing problems due to family or community violence.

The agency also has an emergency food pantry and clothing shop, and owns Agape House, a home where foster parents raise siblings who are in need of long-term foster care or adoption.

Since 1990, Thea Bowman House has received 25 grants from The Community Foundation, totaling over $230,000. The partnership has ranged from supporting the organization’s start-up to building renovations to program support.

“We are proud to recognize the excellent work of the staff and board members of Thea Bowman House, who work tirelessly to help the children of our community,” said O’Shea.

             

Above and Beyond

Commemorating its 55th anniversary this year, 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 3,500 grants totaling over $24.5 million in support of causes ranging from education to health care, the arts to the environment. Grants are generated by the more than 230 funds that comprise The Foundation’s endowment, established and advanced by area individuals and families.