Sister’s spirit lives on through Rose Pappas Foundation

 Eleven organizations recently received grants from the Rose Pappas Foundation Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation as part of the fund’s annual holiday grant distribution.

Each year the fund distributes grants in the month of November as part of the holiday season and in memory of Rose Pappas. Her sister, Betty Pappas, established the fund at the Foundation in November 2002.

            “Rose always loved helping people and it’s such an honor to be able to continue her good work,” said Ms. Pappas.

In carrying on Rose’s desire to bring happiness into the lives of others, the fund supports organizations and projects to help the elderly, handicapped and housebound.

According to Karen Niemic Buchheit, CRCF executive director, the Foundation’s board of directors recently awarded holiday grants from the Rose Pappas Foundation Fund totaling $2,555.

Grants included:

·    $455 for Hinsdale United Methodist Church’s Thanksgiving dinner deliveries to housebound individuals

·    $300 to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church for its Community Thanksgiving Dinner

·    $200 to the Hinsdale Food Pantry

·    $200 for HomeCare & Hospice

·    $200 to the Olean Food Pantry

·    $200 to Olean General Hospital’s “Compassionate Companion” program

·    $200 to the Olean Senior Center

·    $200 for “Operation Reindeer” at the Mental Health Association

·    $200 for the Portville Food Pantry

·    $200 for the Rehabilitation Foundation

·    $200 to St. Mary of the Angels’ Community Christmas Dinner

Ms. Buchheit noted more than $55,000 has been awarded from the Rose Pappas Foundation Fund since its inception.

Fund founder Betty Pappas is quick to point out the generosity of many donors who help carry on this tradition. “Over the past nine years so many people have made donations to the Rose Pappas Foundation Fund. I truly appreciate all the donations so that we can give back to the community and help many needy individuals, especially during the holiday season.”

Donations to the Rose Pappas Foundation Fund can be made care of the Community Foundation at 120 North Union St., Olean, or online at www.cattfoundation.org.

Established in 1995, the Community Foundation is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in our region. Grants from the foundation support many areas including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service and youth development.