First United Methodist Church, the Jervis Library, and the Rome Family Y

The Foundation also made its 6th annual distribution from its Elizabeth McKinstry Designated Fund to the First United Methodist Church, the Jervis Library, and the Rome Family Y. The Fund's income for 2011 was $2150. Under the Fund's agreement, half or $1075 went to the church, three-eighths or $806.25 went to the library, and one-eighth or $268.75 went to the Rome Family Y. The money in each case may be used at the discretion of the organizations' boards.

Elizabeth McKinstry died in 2005. Yet by establishing a designated fund with the Rome Community Foundation her favorite charities continue to receive annual distributions in her memory, and will in the years to come.

Capitol Civic Center

A grant of $2500 was made to the Capitol Civic Center from the Foundation's Fred Normand Donor Advised Fund. The unrestricted grant to the Rome theater was made possible from the income earned by this fund in 2011. With a donor advised fund income is paid to charitable organizations recommended to the Foundation by the donor.

The First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church, located at 301 W. Embargo St., will earmark funds for emergency repairs as well as for longer-term interior and exterior repair work. Originally built in 1872, the historic structure was attended by Pledge of Allegiance author Francis Bellamy, who was raised in Rome and is buried in the Rome Cemetery.

The Grace Union American Methodist Episcopal Church

The Grace Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, which is the oldest African-American Church in Rome, will use its grant money for basement and decking repairs. The church, which regularly hosts a variety of community functions that include senior citizen lunches and dinners, is located at 606 Woodland Ave.

St. John the Baptist Church

St. John the Baptist Church at 210 E. Dominick St. will target its funding for brick repairs to the building and for the installation of new roofing over the rectory and garage. One of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the community, St. John's parish has been a landmark at its current location for more than 50 years.

The new changing area, pictured from the left, Robert Olney and Fred Normand, Directors of the Rome Community Foundation, Bruce Hairston, Branch Director of the Rome YMCA, Kim Thornton and Evelyn Surace, Y members who had just used the new changing area.

Rome Family YMCA

The Stevens Kingsley Fund of the Rome Community Foundation has made a grant of $13,100 to the Rome Family YMCA. The YMCA purchased eight laptop computers for use by the staff with $5,600 of the grant. The remaining $7,500 was used to convert the boy's changing room into a family changing room. The room was partitioned off to add three individual changing rooms with private curtains. The shower area was also partitioned off to add three private shower rooms, along with an additional private bathroom. The entire floor was redone with a rougher slip proof surface to prevent slipping. Currently the rooms are in active use.

This grant was from the Stevens Kingsley Fund, which now is now a most important part of the Rome Community Foundation.

Two-year-old Eden McCarthy listens intently as Linnea P. Linderman, M.D., right, reads her a children's book during a checkup at Rome Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Associates. Looking on are Eden's parents, Rich and Julie McCarthy of Rome, and brother Finn, four months. As a volunteer with the Reach Out and Read program, Dr. Linderman encourages parents to read to their young children on a daily basis, noting that the activity creates a strong basis for later learning and ultimate success in school.

Reach Out and Read

A literacy program that encourages parents to read to their young children and helps prepare toddlers for school is receiving financial assistance from the Rome Community Foundation for the purchase of books.

Reach Out and Read, a national non-profit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness, works with pediatric primary care providers to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. The early-reading effort extends to all 50 states, including areas with moderate- to lower-income households.

Locally, the program is partnered with Rome Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Associates, whose doctors and other medical staff confer with children and their parents at each well-child medical checkup about the importance of reading at an early age.

The Rome Community Foundation grant will allow doctors from the Rome practice to continue distributing a free age-appropriate book to every child, regardless of family income level, beginning with the six-month checkup and continuing through age five.

Linnea P. Linderman, M.D., a pediatrician with Rome Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Associates, said the Reach Out and Read program builds upon the special relationship between doctors and the parents of young children. She noted that physicians are often the only source of trusted professional advice that parents receive in the first five years of their children's lives — long before they come in contact with the education system.

"Studies have shown that parents who receive books for their children and literacy counseling from their doctors are more likely to read to their young children on a regular basis," Dr. Linderman noted. "In addition, children served by Reach Out and Read enter kindergarten with a six-month developmental edge, and have larger vocabularies and stronger language skills."

Rome Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Associates joined the Reach Out and Read program in 2006, serving more than 1,300 children between the ages of six months and five years. Nationwide, Reach Out and Read's volunteer doctors and nurse practitioners will have provided over six million new books to nearly four million children at healthcare locations throughout the country by the end of 2011.

For further information about Reach Out and Read and its literacy efforts, visit the program's web site at www.reachoutandread.org.

Players pose with Rome Baseball Association Chairman Jeff DeLutis prior to a Little League game at Freedom Field. Pictured, from left, are: Branden East, age 9; Marc D'Arcangelo, 9; Jake Podkowka, 9; and Evan DeLutis, 7. With financial help from the Rome Community Foundation, a sprinkler system has been installed to enhance the field's quality and make it safer for players.

The Rome Baseball Association

The Rome Baseball Association has completed installation of a sprinkler system for its Little League baseball field, thanks in large measure to a $5,000 grant from the Rome Community Foundation's Stevens-Kingsley Fund.

Jeff DeLutis, chairman of the non-profit baseball association, said the grant money, combined with private donations, enabled the association to complete the project ahead of schedule. He said the new system will make it easier for the association to maintain a healthy grass playing area, and will enable it to water the infield dirt surface prior to and in between games.

The Little League field — known as "Freedom Field" — is one of three baseball diamonds operated by the association. The fields are located on a 20.5-acre parcel of land near the Chestnut St. entrance to Griffiss Business and Technology Park.

"Ever since the Rome Baseball Association was established in 1997, our mission has been to offer high-quality baseball facilities that can be enjoyed by youth and adult league teams alike," DeLutis said. "Today, we are proud of our three premiere fields that continually serve thousands of players young and old, loyal fans, and the community-at-large."

"We are especially grateful to the Rome Community Foundation and to our individual supporters whose financial help makes possible the new sprinkler system for Freedom Field," he added.

According to DeLutis, without the sprinkler system, the infield and outfield grass and dirt playing surfaces would become scorched and rough, especially during hot summer days.

"The new automatic sprinklers at Freedom Field will enhance the quality of the field and make it easier and safer for players to play on," he noted.

He said the Rome Baseball Association oversees hundreds of games each season played by local Little Leagues, high school teams, Babe Ruth teams, and collegiate-level teams. It also has hosted district and regional Little League tournaments, and has been the site of the American Legion county and state district finals.

"The impressive quality of our fields has earned us a reputation as one of the top baseball facilities in the state," DeLutis said. "I invite community residents to attend our games, cheer the players, and have an enjoyable time participating in one of America's favorite pastimes."

Anyone interested in obtaining further information about the Rome Baseball Association can visit its web site at www.delutisfield.org.

Rick Seifert, superintendent of the Rome Cemetery, stands beside the newly purchased pickup truck used for grounds maintenance, thanks to financial help from four Rome foundations. In the background is the Gothic revival-inspired Kingsley Memorial Chapel. The Rome Cemetery, established in the mid-1800s as the resting-place for many prominent Romans, is a treasure trove of local history.

The Rome Cemetery

The Rome Cemetery — one of the city's historic and cultural treasures — has gotten a bit of financial help from several area organizations to help preserve the sprawling 140-acre site located on Jervis Ave. in the northwest section of Rome.

The Rome Cemetery Association, which oversees operation of the non-profit cemetery, received sufficient funding to purchase a new one-ton pickup truck that is vital to the upkeep of the property, including grounds maintenance, burial preparation, and snow removal.

The Rome Community Foundation; the Hazen B. Hinman, Sr., Foundation; the Rome Savings Bank Foundation; and the Sears Family Foundation of Rome, New York, awarded grant monies to enable the cemetery association to replace its 22-year-old truck, long in need of repairs that were too costly to make.

Rome Cemetery Association President R. Joseph Jalbert said the funding came at a critical time for the cemetery. "We are extremely grateful for the generous financial assistance offered by these community groups," he noted. "Their contributions mean we will be better equipped to maintain the grounds of the cemetery and preserve its rich cultural heritage."

Jalbert said the association recently purchased, and is now using, a new 2011 vehicle from Lee GMC in Boonville. He said Lee GMC allowed the association to buy the truck at cost.

According to Rome Cemetery Office Manager Malinda Abraham, local as well as out-of-area visitors regularly stroll through the cemetery to enjoy the beautiful grounds in a quiet setting and to see the variety of monuments that reflect the names of the city's earliest families.

"Visitors are especially impressed by the Kingsley Memorial Chapel, the Parker F. Scripture Memorial Carillon, and the gravesites of other famous Romans," Abraham said.

Among the noted individuals buried in the non-denominational cemetery are Jesse Williams, founder of the country's first cheese factory; Francis Bellamy, author of the Pledge of Allegiance; Medal of Honor recipients Wilson Smith and Oscar Burkard; and Henrietta Bowen, a former slave born in the state of Maryland who died a free woman in Rome in 1860.

By the mid-1800s, Rome's first burial ground — located in the area now known as Fort Stanwix Park — was inadequate for the needs of the community. Consequently, the Rome Cemetery Association was established in 1851 to find a new, larger site; two years later the Jervis Ave. location was selected.

Anyone interested in further information about the Rome Cemetery, including details on self-guided tours, can call the cemetery's office at 336-6210.

The Capitol Theater

The Rome Community Foundation's Stevens Kingsley Fund awarded a $15,000 grant to the Capitol Theater. This grant will help with an ambitious project to replace the theater's HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. A design which will utilize some of the existing air ducts and add new ducts, yet be in keeping with the historic nature of the building is underway. The new system will be far more effective and energy efficient with a considerable savings in operating costs.

Lake Delta Volunteer Fire Department

The Rome Community Foundation recently made a grant for $3200 from the Stevens Kingsley Fund to the Lake Delta Volunteer Fire Department. The grant is to assist in the purchase of pagers, gloves, and hoods.

The pagers will help the fire department comply with new Federal Communication Commission narrow band frequency rules. Protective gloves were needed to replace older ones. Hoods were also purchased to be worn under helmets to protect firemen from injury due to heat, fire, and trauma.

The Rome Home

The Rome Community Foundation has given a $2720 grant to The Rome Home to assist in the replacement of sprinkler heads and for the required elevator code inspection. The two-story brick building, at 417 North Washington Street in Rome, was built in1868. It is an excellent example of Italianate architecture and is well worth keeping in good condition.

The Rome Home has been in this location since 1916. Their goal is to provide a dignified and pleasant surrounding for older persons. The home has individual rooms for 19 residents, and provides meals, personal care, housekeeping, limited health care, and a variety of recreational activities.

Distribution from its Elizabeth McKinstry Designated Fund (December 2010)

The Foundation made its fifth annual distribution from its Elizabeth McKinstry Designated Fund to the First United Methodist Church, the Jervis Public Library, and the Rome Family Y. The Fund's income to be distributed in 2010 was $2100. Under the Fund agreement one-half or $1050 went to the church, three-eights or $785.50 went to the library, and one-eight or $262.50 went to the Y. The grant money may be used at the discretion of each organization's board.

Capitol Civic Center

A fourth grant of $2500 was made to the Capitol Civic Center from the Community Foundation's Fred Normand Donor Advised Fund. This grant was also made possible from income earned by this particular fund in 2010.

Zion Episcopal Church

The Rome Community Foundation has made a special grant to Zion Episcopal Church for $5000 to assist the church in making temporary repairs to the Bell Tower. This grant is from the Foundation's Stevens-Kingsley Fund, and is being paid from income generated from investments of the fund's assets.

There has been concern in recent years that the Bell Tower has been leaning toward the church building. The structural engineering firm of Klepper, Hahn, and Hyatt in Syracuse was hired to conduct a condition assessment of the tower and determine if the lean was a concern. Fortunately, they felt that the lean was not an issue, but did find other major problems. There was water seepage in the Bell Tower, loose stonework, and the mortar between the stones throughout the church building and social hall must be repaired. The cost would be well over a half a million dollars. Money will have to be raised to do some or all of the work that is needed to preserve this architectural and historic treasure.

Since that amount of money was not available, it was recommended that temporary repairs to the Bell Tower be made before the winter. With the Rome Community Foundation grant and some church funds, the Lupini Construction Company of New York Mills, who specialize in masonry restoration, was hired. The temporary repairs involve removing the angled capstones that are unstable and putting a rubber membrane over all angled capstones in addition to the flat area under the bells proper.

Rome Historical Society

The Rome Community Foundation has given a grant for $4289 from its Stevens Kingsley Fund to the Rome Historical Society to purchase a new, high-speed photocopier. This new equipment will enable the society to make more professional copies of their correspondence, newsletters, and membership requests. The new copier should also save the center maintenance expense, which had been increasing on the old equipment.

The Rome Community Foundation was formed in 1999 as a public community foundation for the purpose of benefiting the citizens of Rome and the immediate area. The Foundation encourages the growth of a permanent charitable endowment, which can make strategic grants as investments in the Rome community. The Foundation also provides citizens with the means to make giving easy, effective and lasting. Gifts to the Foundation may be established in connection with a person's estate plan or as a memorial, honor or remembrance.

The Rome Home

The Rome Community Foundation has given a $1900 grant to The Rome Home to help repair the cupola on the roof of their building. The two-story brick building, at 417 North Washington Street in Rome, was built in 1868. It is an excellent example of Italianate architecture and is well worth keeping in good repair.

The Rome Home has been in this location since 1916. Their goal is to provide a dignified and pleasant surrounding for older ladies. The home has individual rooms for 19 residents, and provides meals, personal care, housekeeping, limited health care, and a variety of recreational activities.

This grant was made possible from the income generated in the general endowment fund, which has been created by contributions from many persons in the Rome area.

First United Methodist Church

The Rome Community Foundation has made a $10,000 grant from its Stevens-Kingsley Fund to the First United Methodist Church to help with the purchase and installation of a new elevator. The church has been undergoing a major renovation begun about a year ago. There is a new entrance on North George Street, and the remodeling has resulted in handicapped accessibility for all areas of the church. Other improvements include new office and administrative space and a large community center for education, child care, and future youth and senior programs.

Formed in the 1960s by former Roman, Stoddard Stevens, the Stevens-Kingsley Foundation was dissolved in 2005, and its assets were transferred to the Rome Community Foundation. It is administrated as a separate fund with grants made each year in the late fall or early winter.

Rome Home

The Stevens-Kingsley Fund of the Rome Community Foundation has given a $4000 grant to the Rome Home to replace the dining room chairs. The accompanying picture shows five of the residents seated in the new chairs.

Today the Rome Home has individual rooms for 19 ladies, and provides them with meals, personal care, housekeeping, laundry service, limited health care, and a variety of recreational activities.

The Rome Home was established in 1909 originally to provide a dignified and serene surrounding for older ladies without families. The home started in a rented house on Elm Street, and then in 1916 moved to the present location at 417 North Washington Street in the historic district. The two-story brick house was built in 1868, and is an excellent example of Italianate architecture.

Rome Cemetery

At a recent meeting of the Rome Community Foundation, a $2400 grant was made to the Rome Cemetery Association to help with their ongoing project of 'mapping' of the cemetery. This project engages a licensed surveyor to accurately map the cemetery, identifying each individual lot by location, size, and by name. Roads, buildings and other cemetery property will also be recorded. With this data, detailed maps will be made, which will be invaluable for maintenance and for administrative purposes. Visitors will also be able to use these maps to easily find lots that they are interested in.

This grant was made possible from the income generated in the general endowment fund, which has been created by contributions from many persons in the Rome area.

Rome Police & Fire Memorial

The Rome Community Foundation has made a $3000 grant from the Stevens Kingsley Fund to Rome Up and Running, Inc. With the grant the Rome Police and Fireman's Memorial project has purchased a trailer to provide secure storage for support equipment and supplies for the memorial park at the corner of Black River Boulevard and Court Street. Cleaning and maintenance equipment, water treatment chemicals, filters, water pump, landscape tools and supplies will be housed in the trailer.

Welcome Home

The Rome Community Foundation recently made a $4000 grant to the Welcome Hall Community Center for equipment at the Rome facility. That equipment includes metal shelving for storage needs in the kitchen area, shelving for clothing and household items at the centerís donation site, an ice machine, and 14 new mattresses for their 7 new bunk beds.

For years, Welcome Hall Community Center has effectively met many of the needs of our communityís less fortunate men, women, and children. The Center prepares and serves hot meals, provides food baskets, distributes personal need items to children, and household items for some families. They also provide emergency shelter and care for women and children, and transitional housing for single parent families. The success of Welcome Hall is due to their dedicated staff, many loyal volunteers, and financial support of the community.

McKinstry Grant — Three Rome Organizations Benefit

The Rome Community Foundation has distributed $2400 from its Elizabeth McKinstry Designated Fund to the First United Methodist Church, the Jervis Public Library, and the Rome Family Y. This special fund was established in 2006 to support these three organizations from the interest earned. Distributions will be made annually in memory of the donor.

RFA Knight Times Camera

The grant was from the Rome Community Foundation's Stevens-Kingsley Fund to the Rome City School District for $1200 for the purchase of a new camera. The camera is currently in use by students and should enhance the publication of the RFA Knight Times newspaper.