See more of the Samosky photos in Flickr!

This is Evan Samosky.  He’s 6. And a philanthropist!

Even while Evan was still in his birthmother’s womb; Frank and Kristen Samosky provided for his prenatal care and prayed for his safe arrival.  They were blessed with a healthy and active baby and from the outset knew that it was their responsibility to provide him with a life full of love, fun and compassion.  Evan was saved from a life that could possibly have been full of hardship and despair and was set upon a path of certain success based on one philosophy-if you want to receive more, give more.  Evan was a gift they would not take for granted.  Here’s (part of) their story.

Mary and I came to know the Samosky family as we stopped after Wednesday night choir practices for a treat at their business, Kittanning Dairy Queen.  We learned that fellow Foundation Board Director Jerry Arbaugh had challenged them to start a fund.  During our many conversations, it became apparent that the Samoskys were focused upon three things; working hard to make a difference with their lives, making a commitment to each other and their son Evan, and giving back to give thanks for what they have. 

While talking about philanthropy, we shared a story of Ben Franklin, who established a trust in 1790 with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the amount of 1000 Pounds Sterling (about $4000.00).  He instructed that this amount be invested for 200 years, and at the end of that period, that the money be used to do good.  It grew to over 2 million dollars.  Our Executive Director, Mindy Knappenberger applied for and the foundation received $16,418.83 from Ben Franklin’s original gift to establish the Ben Franklin Trust with the ACCF, which will go on giving forever to “do good” in our communities. 

Soon Frank and Kristen accepted our invitation to attend the ACCF Annual Dinner; it was at that event that the Samoskys took their philanthropy one step further by establishing a Donor Advised Fund.  This was about more than giving back to their community, it was about sharing the joy of giving with their son.  They put his name right on it – The Frank, Kristen, and Evan Samosky Fund.  This endowed fund will allow them to make grants to nonprofits in our own community each and every year, and as Evan gets older he will become more involved with the grantmaking, first helping to make the decisions, and eventually contributing to the fund. 

As a friend of the ACCF, I know you understand what it feels like to give money to fulfill a need in our community.  Whose life will you impact with your gift today?  For whom will you set an example? 

We are asking you to consider a gift of $100, $250, $500, $1000, or another amount significant to you, before the end of the year to support the work of the Armstrong County Community Foundation.  This tax-deductible gift will ensure support for our community organizations.  Remember that in order to take advantage of a tax deduction in 2011, your contribution must be postmarked by December 31^st. 

Donate to the 2011 Annual Campaign 

The Armstrong County Community Foundation is an asset in our community that has been established for the long term.  It provides donors, like the Samoskys, Mary and me, and you the opportunity to impact our community by working together for the future more effectively than we can do individually. 

Thank you in advance for your generosity, kindness, and forward-thinking.

If you are interested in learning more about establishing an endowed fund at the Foundation, please speak with Jessica Coil at 724.548.1261, myself, or any of these fine Armstrong County citizens, who serve as the ACCF Board of Directors:

Lance Whiteman, President

Christine Moss, Vice President

Autumn Vorpe-Seyler, Treasurer

Chase McClister, Secretary

Richard Snyder, Director Emeritus

Jerry Arbaugh

Thank you,

 Frank and Mary Baker

P.S. — Your contribution of $100, $250, $500, $1000, or another amount significant to you, before the end of the year is important for our community.  In order to take advantage of a tax deduction in 2011, your contribution must be postmarked by December 31^st.  Donations may also be made securely online here.  Thank you again for your support.

Where “young” and “professional” are self-defined,
we are setting out to make positive changes in Armstrong County
through philanthropy and networking.

____________________________________

Join us at our kick-off event!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Kittanning Country Club Grill Room

218 Bell Top Drive

Kittanning, PA 16201

5-8pm

Heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine

No Charge

____________________________________

What we’re about

The Young Professionals Giving Circle was formed by a steering committee consisting of Dr. Ryan Olsen (Olsen Chiropractic), Clem Rosenberger (F&M Bank), Darlene Walker (Armstrong Associates FCU), Joe McGuigan (Edward Jones), Joely Beeker (Armstrong YMCA), and Jessica Coil (Armstrong County Community Foundation). The purpose of the group is

1. To promote philanthropy in Armstrong County, and
2. To foster a network of young professionals in Armstrong County.

YPGC is planning to have 2 (exciting) events per year. One event will be for adults only, the other will be a family friendly event. There may also be other volunteering opportunities throughout the year.

How to join

It’s simple, just send us your name, address, phone and email with a check (see dues/contributor information below) made payable to ACCF with YPGC in the memo and mail to:

What membership means

When you become a member of the YPGC, you are making a commitment to your community’s future. Annual dues are $150/person or $300/family (includes 2 adults and children). A portion of your dues will help pay for the events. The majority of your dues will contribute to an endowment fund that will be used to make grants (forever) to nonprofit organizations in our community. Your current membership gives you a say in the grantmaking.

Want to make an even bigger impact?

Through 2012 only – anyone who contributes $1,000 or more will forever be recognized as a Founding Member of the YPGC.

Or, if you can spare a little more than the standard dues to grow the endowment, you may become a Contributor for $500.

Not ready to take the leap (really, it’s more like a really exciting hop!)?

Try us out! You may attend one event and pay only the event fee to see what it’s like. If you decide to join, your event fee will go towards your membership dues.

Armstrong County Community Foundation will be holding our Annual Dinner on Wednesday, October 3, 2012.  The event will be hosted at the Kittanning Country Club located on 218 Belltop Drive in Kittanning. 

“You don’t have to walk into a burning building or wear a badge to rescue someone. You don’t have to go to medical school to help a person feel better, or walk on the moon to change this earth. You simply have to care about what happens in our country. We call all honor the lives lost on September 11 by making our lives count even more.” ~ First Lady Laura Bush

Here is a video of The Progressive Workshop dropping off some of their donations for ArmstrongShares!

What is Armstrong Shares?

The Armstrong County Community Foundation is commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9-11 by hosting ArmstrongShares on Friday, September 9th for 10 hours (7 AM – 5 PM) at our office at 160 N. McKean Street, Kittanning AND at Books & Beans, 156 Market Street, Leechburg, from 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

We are asking our generous community to “make your lives count” for this 10th anniversary by bringing in 10 items during 10 hours on Friday, September 9th to benefit HAVIN (Helping All Victims In Need). ArmstrongShares will be an annual event benefitting a different nonprofit organization every year. Every donor will receive an ACCF reusable shopping bag! There will be free parking out front at the Kittanning location for your convenience in dropping off your donations.

The 10 items may include:

Non-Perishable Food Items
Paper Products
Light Bulbs
Batteries—All Sizes
Single Bed Sheets Sets
Dept. Store Gift Cards
Cleaning Products
Buckets/Mops/Brooms
Small Appliances
Silverware & Kitchen Utensils
Pots & Pans
Alarm Clocks
Hair Dryers
Hair Brushes
Hair Spray & Gels
Hair Conditioner
Bath Towels and Washcloths
Kitchen Towels & Dish Cloth
Umbrellas
Diapers & Wipes
Socks & Undergarments
Pillows
Deodorant
Razors
School Supplies
Cash & gift card donations are always appreciated!

We make it easy to care about our community.

Non-profit training for the Day of Giving is Thursday, March 15, 2012.

May 12, 2011 gave ACCF the ability to prove how kindhearted our community truly can be.  We were only hoping for $50,000, but soon exceed that thanks to 964 generous patrons who donated a total of $131,910 to our foundation.  We were able to match $25,000, giving us a cumulative total of $156,910!  Again, thank you to our match partners who made this event exceedingly successful and possible:

Rosebud Mining Company
Infinity Women’s Giving Circle
F&M Bank
BLX, Inc.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Sugar Creek Rest
Northwest Savings Bank
Steiner & Steiner Attorney at Law
Joe McGuigan of Edward Jones
Frank and Mary Baker
Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. 

We wholeheartedly agree with Kittanning Public Library when they stated their gratitude by saying: “Your efforts have provided an outstanding benefit to the entire community.”  Click here for a link to the Leader Times website for more information!

The more you give, the more you….uh…give…..

Just as we are always looking to make our dollars go further when we are shopping, why not make them go further with philanthropy?  The Armstrong County Community Foundation is issuing a CHALLENGE to Armstrong County businesses to give back, and we promise to make your donations go further.  Here’s how.

~ Kristy Green

Read More

I’d like to make a secure online donation to the Armstrong County Community Foundation.