Simple Gifts Fund Awards Summer Enrichment Grants
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - The Simple Gifts Fund has awarded $6,375 in grants to 19 young people in the Berkshire Taconic area. The Simple Gifts Fund, an endowment of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, was established in 1998 by Bill Crofut and his family, and gives annual grants to children ages 7-21 for cultural and creative summer programs.Bill was a beloved folk singer and active community member who passed away in 1999. The Simple Gifts Fund Committee includes Erica and Susie Crofut, his wife and daughter, who are both active artists in the Berkshire Taconic Community. “My father loved to foster small steps to further great passions, and had a deep understanding and empathy for the dreams and aspirations of young people,” said Erica, “We set up this fund so that some of these dreams can be realized.”
This summer grants were awarded to:
Emily Brooks, 16, Kinderhook, NY: to participate in People to People China and visit the cities of Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Wuzhen and Hong Kong.
Brandy Buckingham, 16, Pittsfield, MA: to attend Camp Hemlock, an Easter Seals camp.
Anthony Cherry, 17, Dalton, MA: for the Summer Scholars program at Notre Dame.
William Hack, 18, Lee, MA: to attend the International Society of Bassists Convention.
Samantha Hessler, 11, Valatie, NY: to attend the Children’s Musical Theater Workshop at the Mac-Haydn Theater.
Zachary Leamon, 12, Williamstown, MA: to spend a week at Space Academy and Aviation.
Sean Leary, 16, Pittsfield, MA: to attend the National Student Climate and Conservation Conference.
Rachel Moriarty, 15, Great Barrington, MA: to participate in People to People Europe and travel to England, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
Julian Muller, 16, Ghent, NY: to attend Meadowmount School of Music.
Danika Padilla, 12, Great Barrington, MA: to study violin at the Green Mountain Suzuki Institute.
Camille Roccanova, 17, Andramdale, NY: to attend the Mill Street Loft Summer Art Intensive.
Chloe Rossano, 18, Lakeville, CT: to participate in a National Outdoor Leadership School program in Alaska.
Maya Serkin, 17, Richmond, MA: to volunteer at an orphanage in Russia as part of Cross Cultural Solutions.
Cheyenne Slocum, 13, Pittsfield, MA: to attend a summer dance intensive at Albany Berkshire Ballet.
Andrew Smith, 17, Pittsfield, MA: to play percussion in the Barrington Stage Company performance of High School Musical 2.
Claire Smith, 16, Great Barrington, MA: to develop Spanish language skills while living in a homestay in Barcelona.
Samantha Stockley, 18, Pittesfield, MA: for individual instruction in the fine arts.
Russell Swartz, 12, Sandisfield, MA: for the Art and Science Program at Flying Cloud Institute.
Samantha Swartz, 14, Sandisfield, MA: to attend Smith College Summer Science Program.
A committee of local residents reviews application and awards grants based on the quality of the program, its potential impact on the applicant’s life, studies and work, and the evidence of the student’s ambition to pursue studies or work through engagement in the proposed program.
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2008 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $9 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.
