PO Box 104 Lowville, NY 13367 prattnortham@gmail.com 570-396-4532

Pratt Northam Foundation Awards $204,793.26 to Covid-19 Community Fund Recipients

The Board of Directors for the Pratt Northam Foundation are pleased to report that their idea of turning unused 2020 Workership Funding into an opportunity to positively impact the community has resulted in the funding of 12 individual projects/programs that will positively impact the areas of our community that have been hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Directors were very excited to receive so many proposals from the community in regards to the Covid-19 Funding they created. 25 proposals were submitted with a total funding request of $471,018.63. All of the proposals submitted were worthy, creative proposals that show the possibility of the positive that could be created out of the suspension of Workerships and Careers Here in 2020.  The Directors were objective in their assessment and review of all of the submissions to ensure that the funding approved would have an immediate impact on areas that have been hardest hit by Covid-19.

Here is a list of all of the funding recipients and their proposed use for the funding that they are receiving:

Adirondack Central School District $12,800, internet hotspot purchase to assist with internet access for their students to utilize for remote learning.

Beaver River Central School District $25,577.15, creating mobile hotspots on 4 buses to assist with internet access for their students to utilize for remote learning.

Harrisville Central School District $14,300, internet hotspot purchase to assist with internet access for their students to utilize for remote learning.

Lowville Academy and Central School District $10,240, internet hotspot purchase to assist with internet access for their students to utilize for remote learning.

South Lewis Central School District $26,000, internet hotspot purchase to assist with internet access for their students to utilize for remote learning.

Copenhagen Central School District $18,508.50, purchase Chromebooks and protective sleeves to utilize for remote learning.

Erwin Library and Institute $7474, fund a 20 week reading and tutoring program for preschool and elementary aged children.

Hand in Hand Early Childhood Center $30,000, help to fund their emergency school age programming and help with tuition costs for families in need.

Lewis County Development Corporation $10,000, by supporting their Winter Design Challenge and helping offset costs for area businesses to provide safe outdoor dining and entertainment, the Foundation will be providing support to some of our local businesses that have been hardest hit by the pandemic

Lewis County Search and Rescue $16,893.61, purchase of a Zoll Ventilator. This equipment is considered a necessity for our community.

North Star Food Hub $13,000, provide access to fresh local produce for in-need families. Outreach will also include cooking/nutrition classes. This proposal benefits at risk community members and our local food producers.

Volunteer Transportation Center $20,000, help with Covid-19 induced budgetary shortfalls. This essential service which is volunteer “driven” has been greatly impacted by the social distancing safety measures they have implemented to keep our community members safe. Carpooling is no longer allowed; separate individual trips are the new norm leading to increased mileage costs during a time when Covid-19 safeguards have also led to a decrease in fundraising.

The Directors for the Foundation congratulate all of the recipients on their initiative and efforts. They are looking forward to the positive impact that these projects/programs will have within the community and are hoping that they will create a ripple effect that continues on even beyond the current pandemic situation.

Brittany Davis, Pratt Northam Foundation Director presents a Community Covid-19 funding check in the amount of $30,000 to Jennifer Bleakley, Executive Director, Hand in Hand
Accepting the Community Covid-19 Funding check for the South Lewis School District is (from L to R) Deborah Domagala, Curriculum and Data Coordinator, Doug Premo, Superintendent and Andy Liendecker BOE President
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