Foundation News

LTCF Hosts First Annual Community Day Walk on October 4th

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) invites the Lawrence Township Community to bring family and friends to its first annual walk that will launch the Community Day festivities on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10:00 a.m. rain or shine. Walkers will enjoy a 4 mile course on the scenic Lawrence Hopewell Trail that begins in Village Park NW to Blackwell Road and back. The Lawrence High School cheerleaders and the Red Scare Band will provide music prior to and at the start of the walk. Water stations and refreshments will be available after the walk.

Registered walkers will receive a complimentary reusable bag. A contest was held at Lawrence High School for the design of the reusable bag and the winner, Erica Scardelletti received a $100 Best Buy gift card that was generously donated by Dan and Janice Haggerty.

Adult registration fee is $20 and for children under 12, registration fee is a donation of a canned/packaged food item to benefit the Lawrence Township Neighborhood Center Food Pantry. To register, download the Registration Form and return with payment to LTCF Community Day Walk, PO Box 7648, Princeton, NJ 08543-7648. Checks for the registration fee are to be made payable to LTCF.

Proceeds from the walk will support the nonprofit organizations that provide services and programs to the Lawrence Township Community. LTCF provides support to the nonprofits with cash grants as well as various workshops. Since 2001, LTCF has provided over $500,000 in grants to community organizations that have made an impact on our community. LTCF gratefully acknowledges walk sponsor, The Mercadien Group and long time LTCF supporters, Bristol Myers Squibb and ETS for their generous support.

The following sponsorships are available: (download Sponsorship Form)

• Title Sponsor $5,000 (includes 20 registrations, name on registrant bag, signage at the walk, *sponsor banner displayed and recognition on LTCF website and in press releases)
• Gold Sponsor $2,500 (includes 15 registrations, name on registrant bag, signage at the walk, *sponsor banner displayed and recognition on LTCF website and in press releases)
• Silver Sponsor $1,000 (includes 10 registrations, name on registrant bag, signage at the event, *sponsor banner displayed and recognition on LTCF website and in press releases)
• Bronze Sponsor $500 (includes 6 registrations, name on registrant bag, signage at the event and recognition in press releases)
• Water Station Sponsor $250 (includes 4 registrations, name on registrant bag, and signage at the event)
• Course Sponsor $100 (includes 2 registrations, signage at the event)

Grant Deadline approaching

Any nonprofit organization that is based in Lawrence Township and that broadly serves the residents of Lawrence Township and enhances community life is eligible to submit a grant request. Every grant requesting organization must certify its classification as a 501(c)(3) organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service. Deadlines to submit grant requests are March 15th for the spring cycle and October 15th for the fall cycle. Grant applications are available online. If you have any questions, please call 896-0799

December 14, 2006
Local Nonprofits Receive Grant Awards at Artillery Annex

Pictured at the recent awards ceremony at the Artillery Annex of the National Guard Militia Museum are Rob Ford (left), Chris Hamberger, Sean Piscatelli, Nick Hvasta, Diane Wilfrid (President LTCF), Don Kale, Daniel P. George and Bill Kale.

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) recently held its Fall 2006 grant awards ceremony at the Artillery Annex of the National Guard Militia Museum, on Eggerts Crossing Road. Almost $44,000 in grants were awarded to 14 non-profit groups. Grant awardees included:

• Camp Fire USA (NJ Council)
• Eggerts Crossing Civic League
• Friends of Lawrence Greenway
• Lawrence Nature Center
• Lawrence Non-Profit Housing at Eggerts Crossing Village
• Lawrenceville Main Street
• Meals on Wheels of Lawrence Twp
• NAMI Mercer
• National Guard Militia Museum - Artillery Annex
• People & Stories (Gente y Cuentos)
• Project Freedom
• SAVE - A Friend to Homeless Animals
• Slackwood Volunteer Fire Company
• Sustainable Lawrence
• View previous projects awarded since 2002.

August 17, 2006
"Farm to Table" Dinner & Fundraiser A Great Success

Thanks to the Terra Momo Restaurant Group and the generosity of wonderful supporters, the Farm to Table event held on August 17, 2006 at Terhune Orchards raised $5,725 for the Lawrence Township Community Foundation.

This memorable occasion was planned and fabulously executed by Terra Momo who chose the Foundation to be the charity recipient for this unique dining experience. Using fresh ingredients and livestock from local farms, the superb menu delighted the crowd.

The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by a five-course dinner featuring artisan wines and fresh, seasonal, local ingredients from DanLynn Farms, Cherry Grove, Simply Grazin, Orchard Farm, Griggstown Quail Farm, St. Petersburg Family Farm, Valley Shepherd Creamery, Arc Greenhouses, Terhune Orchards and the Mediterra Herban Garden.

May 11, 2006
Local Nonprofits Awarded Grants

MORE PHOTOS Receiving a $5,000 check from Dan Haggerty, LTCF Trustee, are from left-to-right: Kevin Kopp - Walkabout in the Natural World Program, Fred Vereen - Manager of Eggerts Crossing Village Peggy Fox - Project Consultant, Arzaga Dillard - Director of After School Programs, Dan Haggerty - Lawrence Township Community Foundation Trustee

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) awarded $34,350 in grants ranging from $1,000-$5000 to 12 non-profit groups on Thursday, May 11th, 2006 at a special reception held Lawrence Non-Profit Housing at Eggerts Crossing Village in Lawrenceville.

LTCF supports Lawrence based community non-profits with financial and volunteer support. Funding for these grants is supported with gifts from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, ETS, Rider University and the Wachovia Foundation.

The following nonprofits received grants for the Spring 2006 grant cycle:

• $2,000 The Big Red Race for the children children's race
• $2,500 Family & Children's Services of Central NJ for counseling and parenting classes
• $1,000 Lawrence American Legion for youth programs
• $1,500 Lawrence High School's Project Graduation for a safe night celebrating graduation
• $5,000 Lawrence Neighborhood Service Center for their summer enrichment program
• $5,000 Lawrence Non-Profit Housing for their summer enrichment and recreation program
• $2,000 Lawrence Township Jr. Baseball/Softball Assoc. for baseball program at LNSC
• $1,450 Lawrenceville Main Street for the Music in the Park Program
• $5,000 MentorPower for the One to One Mentor program and Bambe Cross College Club
• $4,000 PEI Kids for crisis intervention for child victims of sexual abuse
• $1,600 Project Freedom for its horticulture recreational program
• $3,300 Womanspace, Inc for the Drop-In Support Group for victims of domestic violence
• View previous projects awarded since 2002.

March 10, 2006
Bill Guhl Fund Sponsors Sustainable Lawrence

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation is pleased to announce its sponsorship of "Natural Steps for a Sustainable Lawrence," a conference designed to create a long-term agenda to lead Lawrence Township toward a more healthy, rewarding, and satisfying connection with the natural world that is both ecologically and socially sustainable.

The Foundation is sponsoring the three-day Conference, hosted by Sustainable Lawrence, with a $5,000 gift from the Bill Guhl Fund. The Fund honors former Lawrence Township Manager, Bill Guhl, who retired in 2005 and was a founding member of the Foundation. The Foundation created the fund in recent months with an appeal to local individuals and businesses.

The Natural Steps conference will bring together leaders from local government, schools, universities, businesses, faith groups, neighborhoods, nonprofits, clubs, and associations in order to chart a path to our common future. The conference is a key part of continuing a Community Conversation that has become the hallmark of the Foundation.

The outcome expected from the conference is a set of common goals and action steps that will enable us to meet the ecological challenges of the 21st century.

March 2, 2006
Grant Information Session for Local Nonprofits

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) held a grant information session on March 2, 2006 at the Lawrence Township Police Department’s Community Room on Lawrence Road. Local nonprofits serving the Lawrence community came and asked questions about the grant guidelines and received assistance in developing project budgets and outcomes.

December 8, 2005
Local Nonprofits Awarded Grants

Pictured left-to-right: Pat Demers, President of NAMI Mercer; Karla Stein, Vice President, LTCF; Eleanor Horne, ETS and LTCF Trustee; Jerome Lindauer, NAMI Mercer Executive Director; Janice Flesher, Bristol Myers Squibb and LTCF Trustee; Robin M. McGovern, President, LTCF.

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) awarded $39,000 in grants ranging from $1,000-$5000 to 13 non-profit groups on Thursday, December 8, 2005 at a special reception held at NAMI Mercer in Lawrenceville.

LTCF supports Lawrence based community non-profits with financial and volunteer support. Funding for these grants is supported with gifts from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, ETS, Rider University and the Wachovia Foundation. The Foundation recently concluded a successful fund raising campaign, raising $25,000 for the Bill Guhl Fund in honor of the retired township manager.

The following nonprofits received grants for the Fall 2005 grant cycle:

• $1,500 The Girl Scouts of Delaware-Raritan for their What’s Next Club and Conference
• $4,000 Lawrenceville Project Freedom in partnership with Heart to Heart for their Wellness Program
• $2,000 Lawrence Township Historical Society for an Oral History of the Lewisville Section
• $2,500 HomeFront for providing emergency shelter to the homeless
• $5,000 Lawrenceville Main Street Association for their Jubilee
• $5,000 Lawrence Non-Profit Housing, Inc. at Eggerts Crossing for their Walk About in The Natural World Program
• $5,000 MentorPower to mentoring to achieve academic success
• $4,000 NAMI of Mercer NJ for support for their Helpline
• $3,000 Lawrence Lightning Jr. Football Club, Inc. for equipment for the Thunder program
• $3,500 Foundation of Morris Hall for the Bicycle Safety Rodeo/ Safe Kids Day
• $1,000 Notre Dame High School for their Carnival and Luncheon for HomeFront children
• $3,000 Camp Fire USA for their Gift of Giving Service Project
• $2,000 Hands On Helpers Inc. for their General Operating budget
• View previous projects awarded since 2002.

May 12, 2005
Local Nonprofits Receive Grants

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) awarded $46,400 in grants ranging from $500-$5000 to 16 non-profit groups on Thursday, May 12 at a special reception held at 5:30 p.m. at PEI Kids, 231 Princeton Pike in Lawrenceville.

LTCF supports Lawrence based community non-profits with financial and volunteer support. Funding for these grants is supported with gifts from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, ETS, Rider University and the Wachovia Foundation. The Foundation is currently conducting a fund raising campaign for the Bill Guhl Fund in honor of the retiring township manager.

Local historians receive funding from the Lawrence Towship Education Foundation. From left to right: Robin M. McGovern, President - LTCF; Robert B. Immordino, Lawrence Township Historian; Bill Agress, Trustee of Lawrence Historical Society as Colonel Edward Hand; Janet Bickal, President - Lawrence Historical Society; Karla Stein, Vice President, LTCF.

The Foundation considered a number of grant requests for counseling this grant cycle. WomanSpace, Inc. received a grant for $5,000 for their counseling and support program for victims of domestic violence, Family and Children's Services received $5,000 for outpatient mental health counseling for uninsured or underinsured residents of Lawrence Township, and PEI Kids was granted $3,000 for crisis intervention for Lawrence township child victims of sexual abuse.

Programs for children and youth were a high priority, with $5,000 grants awarded to Lawrence Nonprofit Housing, Inc. at Eggerts Crossing for their summer enrichment and recreation program, Mentor Power for the Bambi Cross College Club, and Notre Dame High School for the Summer Camp for the children of HomeFront. In addition, The Big Red Race at the Lawrenceville School received $1,500, as did the Lawrence Township Jr. Baseball/Softball Association for new equipment. Lawrence High School Project Graduation was awarded $1,000, and Junior Girl Scout Troop 157 received $500 for their Save the Sourland Mountain project.

Fred Vereen, manager of Lawrence Nonprofit Housing, Inc., and Peg Fox, project consultant to Eggerts Crossing Village, are pleased to receive an award from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation that will help fund a children's summer enrichment program.

The Lawrence Historical Society received a $500 grant for patches and flyers for the Historic March of patriot Colonel Edward Hand and his soldiers to draw British forces through Maidenhead and back to Trenton in 1777. Accepting The Historical Society grant, written by Alison Roth, was Bill Agress as Col. Hand, Bob Immordino, Lawrence Town historian, Janet Bickal, President of the Lawrence Historical Society and local girl scouts.

Additional grants included $4,000 to Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Trenton for capacity building in Lawrence Township, $2,500 to Project Freedom for their Horticulture Recreational Program, $1,800 to Friends of Lawrence Greenway for a digitizer to create geographic information system data, $1,200 to Lawrenceville Main Street for their Music in the Park program, and $1,000 to the Militia Museum of New Jersey for their weapon system display.