A successful year and new leadership at CFOS

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (CFOS) concluded another successful year of charitable giving and growth on June 30, with more than $2 million in grants and scholarships distributed and total assets just more than $33 million. During the 2019/2020 fiscal year, 24 new funds were established by thoughtful friends, neighbors and businesses that will benefit area students and nonprofit causes in perpetuity. 

The new fiscal year also brings a change in the leadership of the Board of Directors as Michael Bonura, founding partner of Bonura Hospitality Group, becomes the chair of the board, succeeding Timothy S. McCausland. 

Sullivan County Bar Association welcomes new officers

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The Sullivan County Bar Association has announced the election and swearing of its new officers for 2020-2021. Acting Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan K. Galligan was elected and sworn in as the association’s president. Other officers include vice president Amy Davidoff, assistant general counsel to the Greater Hudson Valley Health System/Garnett; secretary Troy Johnstone, an associate in the law office of Brian P. Rourke, P.C; and treasurer Sandra Heck, law clerk to the Honorable Judge Mark Meddaugh. The Board of Directors for this term includes local attorneys Jared Hart, Cheryl McCausland, John Theadore, Jacqueline Ricciani, Martin Rutberg, Robert Lander, Zachary Kelson, Frank Felleman, Stephen Lungen and Ivan Kalter.

‘Doing a Mitzvah at Exit 105A’

MONTICELLO, NY —About 20 years ago, Temple Sholom of Monticello raised money to sponsor Route 17 Exit 105A in New York’s Adopt-an-Exit program and has taken care of it ever since. Several times a year, volunteers from Temple Sholom pick up and haul away trash, trim the bushes, weed the garden and put in new plants. During the maintenance operation this past week, litter plucker Gail Abramowitz picked up a rusty old switchblade, “but no bodies,” she quipped.

‘The nursing home that could’

WAYMART, PA — More than five months into the pandemic, Wayne Woodlands Manor, a 121-bed nursing facility part of Wayne Memorial Health System, has not reported a single COVID-19 case among its staff or residents. Administrator Mike Freund credits the staff and the many measures they’ve taken for the success to date in keeping the virus out of Wayne Woodlands. Overall in the state, nursing homes reported 17,888 cases among residents, 3,323 among employees and 4,591 deaths statewide.  

Like many nursing homes, Wayne Woodlands has also been creative about keeping its residents stimulated and upbeat. “We’ve had all sorts of ‘events’ like ‘BBQ-in Day’ and ‘Popcorn & Margarita Day,’” explains activities director Marcy Podunajec. The latter was held in early June. “The day was warm and sunny, so we shared delicious popcorn, along with refreshing non-alcoholic [drinks] to celebrate.” Podunajec and Heidi Rowe, director of admissions, say residents have enjoyed “Country Western Day” when the staff donned cowboy boots and hats as well as drive-by visits from family and friends.

For more information, visit www.manor.org, www.wmh.org/wayne-memorial-long-term-care, or visit the facility on Facebook.

COVID-19 Relief Fund, a Greater Pike Community Foundation success 

MILFORD, PA — In March, a group helping to organize the community’s response to COVID-19 reached out to Greater Pike Community Foundation to set up a pass-through fund to assist individuals, businesses and nonprofits in and near Milford Borough that have been adversely affected by the pandemic. The Milford COVID-19 Relief Fund began with Mayor Sean Strub, Borough Councilmembers Frank Tarquinio, Joseph Dooley and Luke Turano, former Councilmember Annette Haar and infectious disease and virology specialist Doug Manion, MD. Greater Pike Community Foundation helped establish the fund, accept donations, distribute assistance and connect with donors. So far, thanks to the generosity of many, more than $50,000 has been raised and donations continue to come in.  

To help support the Milford COVID-19 Relief Fund, tax-deductible donations can be made at www.greaterpike.org, or a check payable to “GPCF-MCRF” can be mailed to Greater Pike Community Foundation, P.O. Box 992, Milford, PA 18337.