Since 2012, the Falconer Region Community Fund has awarded more than $20,000 back into the Falconer region thanks to its many community supporters. Pictured seated from left, Maurice Roach and Roland Swanson, FRCF grants committee member. Standing from left are Ben Morey, Methodist Gardens, board member; Cathy Kimball, FRCF grants committee member; Jim Roach, FRCF grants committee member; Peggy Sweeney, Donald Swanson’s sister; Rose Mary Carver, FRCF grants committee member; and Tory Irgang, CRCF executive director. Submitted photo

FALCONER — “Community Pride” is not a phrase members of the Falconer region take lightly.

In 2012, that pride empowered a group of local residents to establish the Falconer Region Community Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, to ensure charitable activities would continue to thrive in the region that makes up the Falconer Central School District.

Maurice Roach, along with his wife Doris, lifelong residents of Falconer and the owners of Falconer Printing and Design, led the efforts to convene stakeholders and community members to discuss the needs of their community.

“The creation of this fund, which will serve our entire region, is important because it looks toward the future and will help continue to provide for benevolent activities,” stated Roach at the time.

In its first year, the fund granted $2,000 to the Kennedy Free Library, Falconer United Methodist Church, Falconer Central School District and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Since then, the Falconer Region Community Fund has grown to award 33 grants, totaling more than $20,000.

Recent grants have supported the Town of Ellington’s annual picnic, Vacation Bible School and programs at Our Lady of Loreto Church, window repairs at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ellington Farman Library’s summer reading program, and the walking path at Falconer Park.

After seeing the impact the Falconer Fund had on its community, the family of Donald Swanson, former Falconer resident, established an affiliate fund at the Foundation after his passing in 2017.

The Donald R. Swanson Memorial Fund follows the same criteria as the Falconer Fund and gives back to the community that meant a great deal to the Swanson family.

In addition to the countless individuals who have supported the Falconer Region Community Fund over the years, many local businesses have also invested in this fund’s success.

In September 2018, Jon Saff, president of the board of directors of the former Methodist Gardens, announced a unanimous decision by the board to donate more than $175,000 to the Falconer Region Community Fund.

The donation was a result of the transition of the Methodist Gardens HUD subsidized housing to Housing Preservation.

“It is very appropriate that these funds find their way to the Community Foundation where they will continue to benefit the Falconer community forever,” Saff said.

Prior to his passing in January, Roach commented on the growth of the fund since its creation nearly seven years ago.

“The support of other agencies and community members validates what we set out to do,” Roach said. “They share in the passion for the Falconer region and together we are invested in its future.”

On March 5, the foundation is hosting a community conversation in the Fenner Elementary School cafeteria at 6 p.m. for residents, community leaders and local organizations to come together to discuss future needs of the Falconer region, as well as, to learn more about grant opportunities available from the Foundation.

For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 661-3390 or visit crcfonline.org.