Northern New York
Community Foundation, Inc. 120 Washington Street • Suite 400 Watertown, New York 13601 (315) 782-7110 • info@nnycf.org www.nnycf.org www.facebook.com/nnycf
Enhancing Local Quality of Life D. Peter Van Eenenaam
A
s it has always been over the eons of history, the deep snows of another North Country winter gradually give way to the warm southerly breezes of spring. The snowdrops and purple scilla are already blooming, soon to be followed by the crocus, daffodil and tulip. The robin and cardinal have already found their nesting sites, the snow geese have already passed us by, and soon the deep woods will be filled with the song of the various wood warblers. Life goes on, as it always does up here in one of the most beautiful places in New York State. Just as life goes on, in its never-ending, always reliable cycle of the seasons, so does the work of the Northern New York Community Foundation. The influence of its mission ripples through our community continuously, day and night, week after week, month after month, season after season, year after year, for the past eighty-two years. Sometimes its effects are subtle, often barely noticed by most, yet still profound. This may include: behind the scenes expert managerial advice and financial assistance to a small, non-profit organization that saves it from bankruptcy, allowing it to continue providing its needed service to its constituents, keeping local food pantries supplied, providing winter hats, gloves, and
coats to under privileged school children, supporting the local Teen Center, the Volunteer Transportation Center, historical societies, small need-based non-profit and cultural organizations. These are some of the efforts that might go unrecognized by many, but continue to happen. The effect of millions of dollars in scholarship support the Foundation has provided our North Country students over the years might be difficult to measure, but we know its importance. Many who have received financial support have been able to successfully complete their education, return home, and become local leaders in business, medicine, law, and education, and in turn provide leadership, guidance, care, and education for the next generation of North Country students. Other times, the Foundation’s efforts are front and center, including supporting the renovations of Samaritan Medical Center, Lewis County General Hospital, Watertown and Carthage YMCA, North Country Children’s Clinic, the Clayton Opera House and many others. It has been a major facilitator of the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, the North Country Library System, Jefferson Community College, and many other important projects. I grew up in the North Country, attended the local schools, went away for professional training, and feel blessed returning here to raise my family in what I feel is a wonderful, nurturing environment, while enjoying the professional satisfaction of providing needed medical care for our community. Being raised here has given
me a unique perspective of the challenges of living here, as well as an understanding of the people of the North Country. Sitting on the board of directors of NNYCF has enhanced my understanding of the needs of this community, and opened my eyes to the numerous need-based, cultural and historic organizations that struggle daily to provide an enhanced living environment for us all. The generosity of the people of northern New York really shines through when one has the chance to watch it all working together from the perspective of the Foundation. It is with some sadness that my time with the board is coming to an end. But I know it is left in good hands, with a strong group of caring, compassionate, philanthropically-minded community leaders. The recent economic downturn has been very difficult for all of us, but the Foundation has been able to weather the storm, and continues on, as does life, in providing important services that affect us all. The Northern New York Community Foundation is just that, the foundation, or the “bedrock” of philanthropy for our community. The demonstrated service, stewardship, and stability over many years serves as testimony to its solid reputation as a force for good for all of us living in northern New York. This makes the Foundation an excellent vehicle for those who wish to provide a legacy of assisting the Foundation in continuing to fulfill its local philanthropic mission, and enhancing our local quality of life through the continued work of this important organization.