Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Simple Gifts Fund Awards Summer Enrichment Grants

June 13, 2012

SHEFFIELD, MA—The Simple Gifts Fund has awarded $2,750 in grants to 14 young people in the Berkshire Taconic area. The Simple Gifts Fund, an endowment of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, was established in 1998 by Bill Crofut and his family, and gives annual grants to children ages 8-21 for cultural and creative summer programs. Bill was a beloved folk singer and active community member who passed away in 1999. The Simple Gifts Fund Committee includes Susie, Erika and Anni Crofut, his wife and daughters, who are active artists in the Berkshire Taconic community.

Kylie Pecord, who was awarded a grant for ballet camp said, “Summer intensives are a crucial part of a young dancer's training if they wish to be a professional. Without this award from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, paying tuition would be a huge struggle. Ballet is one of the best things that has ever happened to me, so I'm glad that Berkshire Taconic has helped me keep my dream alive.”

Grants were awarded to:

Amelia Benedict, Colebrook, CT: to participate in an intensive course at Alfred University for students applying to art schools.

Hannah Cohen, Lee, MA: to perform violin with the Empire State Youth Orchestra in China and South Korea.

Elias Garivaltis, Great Barrington, MA: for a community service and Spanish language trip to Cusco, Peru.

Haedyn and Finn Gerow, Great Barrington, MA: for participation in Flying Cloud’s Summer Program.

Camron Greer, Wassaic, NY: for participation in IDTech camps Java coding course at Vassar College.

Hunter Hassett, Great Barrington, MA: for participation in an Arts Camp operated by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Ella Long, Great Barrington, MA: for participation in Emily’s Project Summer Science Camp at Flying Cloud Institute.

Kylie Pecord, Elizaville, NY: for participation in Nutmeg Conservatory’s "Summer Intensive" for ballet.

Kathryn Sirois, Stockbridge, MA: to attend Flying Cloud’s Science, Rock and Art camp.

Cheyanne Slocum, Pittsfield, MA: for participation in Boston Ballet’s intensive pre-professional classical ballet training.

Jeremy Stern, Litchfield, CT: to attend the Litchfield Jazz Camp.

Kathleen Swoap, Williamstown, MA: to study abroad in Argentina for 11 months through the Rotary Long Term Youth Exchange.

Emilia and Isabella Johnson-Viola, Lee, MA: to attend Flying Cloud's SMART (Science and Math through Art) Summer program.

Lydia Vreeland, West Stockbridge, MA: to attend a French language immersion camp in Montreal, Canada.

Donations to the Simple Gifts Fund may be made by visiting our website.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation celebrates 25 years of building stronger communities and helping donors make a difference through charitable giving in northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships to nonprofits and individuals in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. You can make a difference. We can help.

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