By Rose S. Prinzi

Thirty years ago, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation was established with the simple concept of "enriching the quality of life in the Chautauqua Region."  Today, we continue to follow this mission, fueled by support from people making donations and planned gifts.

Our Field of Interest grants program is one of the many options for donors who wish to make a planned gift and want the ability to identify their personal area of interest or passion. Once the fund is established, it becomes a permanent community resource, funded through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.   The John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund is an example.                                                                                       

The John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund, established in 2007, is designed to provide financial assistance to religious and non-religious charitable activities in the Randolph area.  As a special field of interest fund, applications are accepted once a year and awards are made through a completive process by a volunteer committee from Randolph.

All non-profit organizations in the Randolph and North Randolph communities are invited to submit an application for this fund.  Applications are available at the Randolph Village Offices or at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation's website www.crcfonline.org.   Completed applications must be submitted to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation by April 15, 2009.

Consideration is given to requests that adhere to the following criteria:
Projects that:

• Demonstrate a definite benefit to Randolph, NY.
• Adequately serve a wide segment of the community not otherwise served.
• Provide leverage for generating other funds from community sources.
• Productively solve a community problem rather than reactively treat symptoms of the problem.
• Promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement.
• Use or will use, existing facilities and do not result in duplication of administrative costs. 

John Edward McLaughlin (1913-2001) was a life-long resident of the Randolph community.  For more than 20 years, he and his wife, Bea, owned and operated Cain Oil Company, a gas service station, and small store in East Randolph.  The McLaughlins had one son, Patrick.  Due to complications at birth, Patrick had medical and physical problems; but he was fortunate to have been raised by loving parents who made arrangements for his care upon their death. Upon Patrick's death, in 2006, the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund was established at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation through a bequest from the estate of the McLaughlin family. 

During its initial year, the McLaughlin Fund awarded several grants to organizations from Randolph.  They included: Randolph Historical Society, Randolph Fire Co. Inc., United Presbyterian Church of Randolph, NY, Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, Toymakers of  Randolph, Randolph Community Cupboard, Randolph Ministerium, Gail N. Chapman Elementary School, New Directions Youth and Family Services, Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, and Randolph Free Library.

As with all Field of Interest grants, any amount can be added to an established fund at any time. If you are interested in learning more about the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation's Field of Interest Funds or the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund, go to our website at www.crcfonline.org or call our office at 661-3390.