Here For Somerset County
Notes from CFA Somerset County Director Lladel Lichty
Somerset County has once again shown its amazing support for the work of CFA, and our county has benefitted greatly because of the generosity of so many. As donor funds and current donations continue to grow, it allows us to provide grant support to local organizations, that serve our children, seniors, veterans, firefighters, education, parks and recreation, conservation, economic development, arts, history, basic human needs, and more.
One of our newest partnership funds, Somerset County Shop With a Cop, broke fundraising records in its first year and provided well over 100 at-risk youth with a Christmas shopping experience they will never forget. It was so satisfying to watch the children connect with law enforcement in a positive way, while having fun and creating lasting friendships.
As a county that always celebrates our rich history and past, we were especially pleased when several long-standing organizations opened partnership funds with CFA this year. They include Hooversville ECLA Trinity Lutheran Church, which after many years made the difficult decision to close its doors. Rather than seeing it as a loss, they started a donor advised fund with CFA to ensure that all of their residual funds would be granted back out to the community in perpetuity. What a wonderful legacy!
Two other long-standing and well-respected organizations, Berlin Community Grove Association and Somerset County Old Timers Baseball Association, are now partnering with us as well. Each joined CFA to benefit from our nonprofit status, fiscal oversight, and administrative support. We are proud to serve such iconic organizations who have stood the test of time and continue to serve their causes bigger and better every year. And, we are very pleased to have the Somerset United Church of Christ’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library become a partner as well. CFA’s work around early childhood development has soared in the past several years and the program ticks all the boxes for more success. The program servews Somerset County Children on a monthly basis with free, high-quality books, delivered in the mail right to the child’s home. Eary childhood reading is proven to improve cognitive skills and development while preparing children for academic success, increased parental bonding, and better concentration and discipline. What an investment in our children’s future this fund is for Somerset County!
Sadly, one of our charter members, John Fiesta, passed away recently and we will miss him greatly. John was a true champion of CFA as he served proudly on the Somerset County Endowment Fund Committee. John believed in our work and early on, created the John A. Fiesta Family Fund. Now John’s commitment to the community will continue supporting the causes that were important to John and his family, in perpetuity.
Thank you to all of our fundholders and donors, past and present, and to our dedicated volunteers, who serve on our committees in Somerset County. We appreciate each of you!
Learn how you can join us in making change in Somerset County.
These are just a few examples of what Somerset Countians do well. We look to the future considering what life will be like for generations to come, and we always look to the past to honor those who made this beautiful place home to the many hard-working individuals who live here, to the hundreds of thousands who call our county a second home on weekends, and to the millions of tourists who visit our county because of its preserved beauty, history, and the people who live here.
The Somerset County Endowments’ committed Advisory Board members and Grants Committee members are proud of our ability to focus on the needs of our community now, and through our efforts, forever. Find out more about how you can get involved at our Somerset County Page.
