Nine grants totaling $20,000 were recently awarded from the Hamilton College Town-Gown Fund to educational, cultural and public safety organizations in the Town of Kirkland.
Awards ranged from $7,875 to the Kirkland Police Department to purchase a Traffic Speed Display Trailer to $500 to the Clinton Central School District for supplies and materials to support volunteer activity at the elementary school. Other grants included:
• $1,000 to the Clinton Central School Foundation for the restoration and improvement of the Brick Garden
• $1,000 to the Clinton Central School Foundation for the Capital Campaign supporting the New Arts Center
• $1,700 to the Clinton Central School District for the establishment of a senior reading seminar
• $750 to the Clinton Central School District for a visiting artist/performance program at the elementary school
• $2,000 to the Clinton Fire Department to offset the cost for building materials and exercise equipment to construct a workout facility at the #2 Fire Station
• $3,600 to the Clinton Historical Society to develop a curriculum for area youth that incorporates history, art and literature
• $1,500 to the Kirkland Art Center to purchase and install new exterior lighting and replace the existing sign board
"Several of these projects would not happen without these funds, or at least they would not happen as quickly," said Hamilton College President Eugene M. Tobin. "It is a special privilege to make these awards on behalf of the Town-Gown Fund Committee."
The $20,000 recently awarded by the fund represents a doubling of what was presented just one year ago. The book value of the fund, which represents the total amount of gifts received to date, exceeds $380,000. Approximately 5 percent of the income earned from the fund is available for grants each year.
"In a very short time, this fund has grown significantly," said Tobin. "It is our hope that we can increase this fund to $1 million in the next several years. With continued good stewardship and an improving economy we will be able to fund even more community projects in the future."
Tobin said the Town-Gown Fund received 16 proposals in its second year, with approximately $60,000 in requests. "There is no shortage of creative and worthwhile special projects in our community. I am pleased that, through this fund, several of these projects will come to fruition."
Members of the Town-Gown Fund Committee are invited to participate by the president of the college. Current members include Tobin, who chairs the committee; Carole Bellini-Sharp, professor of theatre, Hamilton College; Andy Burns, president, Strategic Investment Advisors, Inc.; John Fehlner, owner, The Cleaners and Clinton Cider Mill; Annette Foley, supervisor, Town of Kirkland; Jeff Little, trustee, Hamilton College; John Nester, chief, Clinton Fire Department; Jeffrey Roudebush, superintendent, Clinton Central School District; and Jack Withiam, trustee, Hamilton College. Dick Tantillo, Hamilton's vice president for communications and development, and Mike Debraggio, the college's director of communications, sit on the committee as ex officio members.
