Rotary Club of Ellicottville Foundation
for Youth Endowmnent to Library

The Rotary Club of Ellicottville Foundation for Youth presented a check for $10,000.00 to the Ellicottville Memorial Library Board of Directors last week. This represents the final installment of a commitment made to the Ellicottville Memorial Library Capital Campaign to establish a permanent youth programming partnership to be housed in the new library.

The partnership provided a $50,000 total donation by the Rotary Foundation for Youth to the library’s building campaign, and a subsequent endowment toward annual Youth Center programming.
“The Rotary Foundation for Youth was established with the purpose of providing a positive outlet for the youth of our community,” explained Greg Cappelli, member of the Foundation. “We intended to answer the calls for educational, creative, recreational and mentorship programs for our youth. Our initial intention was to build a youth center but with the advent of the new Library the partnership became a better solution. By adding our objectives to that of the Library, our goals are clearly being met. The programs that have been undertaken are complimentary to the many youth programs sponsored by Rotary International, like the Slapshot program, a retreat for teens providing leadership skills training and interaction.

The Rotary Foundation for Youth’s seed money was available largely through the success of its annual “Michael Kerns Memorial Starz for Youth Ball” held at Holiday Valley every October. This event has been embraced by its supporters due to the fact its proceeds benefit youth projects and programs. This year’s event will be held on Friday October 16th featuring youth entertainment, a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions followed by a live band. It is sure to be another sell out.

This year will see the addition of another great program sponsored by the Rotary Foundation for Youth. The “Americana Folk Art & Music Fair” will take place on July 18th & 19th and will both promote youth artistic activities while benefiting local causes.

The Holiday Valley Community Center, where the Rotary Youth Center is housed, has been utilized for many fun and educational youth programs sponsored by the Rotary Foundation, such as the “Comic book” art project, jewelry making by Barbara Fox and the CATS Theatrical program by Lauren Scharf. A unique program, Arts in education by Simon Griffis, teaches metal working art to a full ECS art class and provides leaves for the Rotary Tree in the lobby.

Earlier this year the Rotary Foundation for Youth and the Moss family help satisfy the overwhelming demand on the current PC’s by donating five wireless notebook computers and a charging station.
It’s a well-known adage: it takes a community to raise a child. Ellicottville, New York surely puts that belief into practice as these two active organizations joined together for the youth of our community. Thanks to all of you who support these worthy causes.