New community foundation plans first event in East Vandergrift
A new nonprofit in East Vandergrift is striving to support and increase activities in the borough.
The East Vandergrift Community Foundation, established over the summer by a handful of residents, is hosting a holiday home-decorating contest.
Borough residents are encouraged to participate, and homes will be judged by foundation members Dec. 1.
Amazon gift cards will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winners in $100, $50 and $25 amounts, respectively.
Decorated houses will be judged on the following criteria: “wow” factor, completeness, originality and holiday theme. Participants are reminded to keep the decorations family friendly.
The foundation aims to promote hometown pride.
The motto of the borough, home to about 650 residents, is “Small Town With a Big Heart.”
The first recorded deed for the land next to the Kiski River that now occupied by the borough was in 1773. The area was referred to as “Three Bottoms” and was occupied by the Shawnee and Delaware Indians.
The foundation held its first organizational meeting June 29 and received approval from the IRS and the state for tax-exempt status.
Foundation officers include Karen Virostek, president; Christopher Zelonka, vice president; Debbie Mazak, secretary; and Dan Serakowski, treasurer.
Borough resident Todd Veselicky serves as executive director.
“The mission of the foundation is to support and strengthen the East Vandergrift community by encouraging innovation, recognizing excellence, creating vital partnerships, developing community philanthropy and fostering educational initiatives,” Virostek said. “The directors are excited to begin accepting donations and will begin work on grant writing to secure funds for community endeavors.”
In addition to Mazak, Serakowski, Veselicky, Virostek and Zelonka, the foundation’s board of directors includes Brian Butch, William Kerr, Jeremy Manners, Barb Zelonka, Mayor Barbara Sharp, Mary Ann Wuyscik and the Rev. Vincent Zidek.
All funds raised will go toward community-related initiatives that will directly benefit the citizens of East Vandergrift, Zelonka said.
“The programs, projects and activities sponsored by the foundation will be in alignment with the borough’s mission statement and strategic plan,” he said.
One initiative example given is the establishment of annual scholarships for students who reside in the borough or are a relative of a borough resident.
“We’re exceedingly happy to make this a reality, and we want residents to volunteer,” Virostek said.
Donations by individuals or other nonprofits can be made payable to East Vandergrift Community Foundation and mailed to East Vandergrift Community Foundation, P.O. Box 100, East Vandergrift, PA 15629.
To learn more, contact Virostek at evfoundation@comcast.net.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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