Community Foundation Helps to Fund Projects in Randolph Area > Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

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Community Foundation Helps to Fund Projects in Randolph Area
Monday, June 27, 2011

John Edward McLaughlin loved his hometown of Randolph, and so in 2007 his estate provided for a fund to be created at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation that would forever provide financial help to his beloved community.

For more than 20 years, John 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, who had medical and physical problems. Upon Patrick's death, the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund was established at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation through a bequest from the estate of the McLaughlin family.

The John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund is designed to provide financial assistance to religious and non-religious charitable activities in the Randolph area. This past May, a committee made their recommendations on which groups should receive funds in 2011. Recently, Community Foundation Executive Director Randy Sweeney and Community Foundation Program Officer Lisa Lynde traveled to Randolph present those organizations with their awards.

"The Community Foundation is delighted to provide financial assistance to these organizations in the Randolph area," said Sweeney. "We are confident that the dreams of the McLaughlin Family are being fulfilled with help to the Randolph Historical Society, Randolph Fire Company, United Presbyterian Church of Randolph, the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, and Camp Li Lo Li. Each one of their projects was important."

Sweeney went on to say that Camp Li Lo Li plans to use their grant to provide camp scholarships. The Randolph Historical Society will be using their funds to continue renovations to their facility on Jamestown Street. Fire hydrant visibility markers will be purchased by the Randolph Fire Company, while the Presbyterian Church will use their grant towards Vacation Bible School. And finally, the RACDC will use their funds towards perpetuating Camp Weeden.

"We hope to be able to return to Randolph throughout the summer and fall to see the work that has been done and to be a part of the special events taking place," Sweeney said.

As a special field of interest fund, applications for the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund are accepted once a year with awards being made through a competitive process. All nonprofit, charitable activities in the Randolph area are eligible to submit an application.

A Community Foundation Field of Interest Fund is one of the many options for individuals who wish to make a donation or a planned gift. A Field of Interest Fund offers donors the choice to identify their personal area of interest or passion. Once a fund is established, it becomes a permanent community resource, funded through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

If you are interested in learning more about the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund, call the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation office at (716) 661-3390 or visit www.chautauquagrants.org.

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