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Community Foundation’s ‘Operation Snowstorm’ Partnership
Outfits Nearly 140 Lewis County Children with Winter Clothing
Published: February 06, 2024
at 09:30 a.m.
By: Press Release from Northern New York Community
Foundation
Community Foundation Partnership Helps Keep Lewis
County Students Safe and Warm in Winter
‘Operation Snowstorm’ Outfits Nearly 140 Children With Winter Clothing
WATERTOWN — Nearly 140
children in two Lewis County school districts are staying warm this season
thanks to a Northern New York Community Foundation partnership that helped
provide much-needed winter clothing.
“Operation
Snowstorm,” a collaboration with the Dyson Foundation, outfits students at
Lowville Academy and Central School and Beaver River Central School with
coats, hats, scarves, mittens, boots, and other essential winter garments.
This winter, an
$11,500 grant was split evenly between the two schools, which helped to
warm 87 Lowville Academy students and 47 Beaver River students.
“We are grateful
for this important partnership with the Dyson Foundation to make a
meaningful difference for students in Lewis County,” said Max DelSignore,
Community Foundation assistant director. “The two districts are outstanding
stewards of this charitable funding that provides a boost for families
during a challenging time of year. We are fortunate for the Dyson
Foundation’s commitment to Lewis County and look forward to building upon
this initiative.”
The Community
Foundation works with staff at both schools to identify students with the
greatest need. Vouchers are provided to qualifying students and winter
clothing items are purchased at the Lowville Farmers Co-Op, which
generously provides a discount to Operation Snowstorm shoppers. Students
also had the option to order items online this year.
Operation
Snowstorm is in its 17th year at Lowville Academy and the 12th year that
Beaver River has participated in the initiative. The program helps an
average of 150 Lewis County students annually. Since the partnership began
in 2007, more than $150,000 has been provided to support the effort to
secure winter attire for those who need it most.
“The support we
receive from the Dyson Foundation and the Northern New York Community
Foundation makes a significant difference in the lives of our children,”
Lowville Academy and Central School Superintendent Rebecca Dunckel-King
said. “We are truly grateful to be a part of a project that has such an immediate
and positive impact on those involved.”
Mrs. Dunckel-King
noted that staff members have received many thanks from grateful parents
and continue to witness excited children showing off their new coats.
Beaver River
staff saw a nearly 21 percent increase in student participation this year
as many more families were in need.
“The generosity
of the Northern New York Community Foundation to spend $5,750 on winter
clothing for our students is greatly appreciated. This allowed us to
provide winter attire to 31 families for 47 Beaver River students,” Beaver
River Central School Superintendent Todd Green said. “This program was an
absolute success and we thank you for the
opportunity.”
About the
Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the
Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and
enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson,
Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through
partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and
generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards
grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that
benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve
their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving
and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community
Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors,
professional advisors and nonprofit organizations.
It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the
Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities
face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a
great place to live, work, and play.
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