The Katharine Matthies Foundation grants for 2003 have been announced. Fleet Bank, Trustee of the Foundation, will distribute 61 grants totaling $916,501.00 to organizations that serve the Lower Naugatuck Valley community.
Katharine Matthies was a benefactress and lifelong resident of Seymour. The Foundation she established supports non-profit activities and programs that improve the quality of life in the Valley area, serving the towns of Seymour, Oxford, Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Derby and Shelton.
The recipients of 2003 grants are:
Ansonia Housing Authority, $15,000.00 to maintain and improve the computer lab at the Tinney Community Center.
American Heart Association, $15,000.00, to continue the enhancement and expansion of Operation Heartbeat and Operation Stroke.
AmeriCares, $5,000.00 to fund two projects during AmeriCares HomeFront 2003.
Ansonia Community Action, $15,000.00 to support the Summer Enrichment Program.
Ansonia Community Action, Fiduciary for Valley Parish Nurse Program, $4,000.00 to purchase 500 children’s bicycle helmets for the Children’s Health & Safety Fair.
Ansonia Community Action, Fiduciary for Valley Parish Nurse Program, $22,500.00 to establish a “Health and Wellness” Committee in congregations that do not have a Parish Nurse.
Ansonia Public Schools, $36,000.00 to purchase instruments and uniforms to establish Ansonia’s first marching band.
Area Congregations Together, $15,000.00 to redesign and upgrade the food bank and laundry/cold food storage.
Birmingham Group Health Services, $54,420.00 to support the Valley Substance Abuse Action Council program
Birmingham Group Health Services, $18,743.00 to support the Community Mental Health Crisis Team program.
Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, $36,600.00 to help expand and continue the outreach efforts in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford and Seymour by increasing the transportation program.
Catholic Family Services of Ansonia, $35,000.00 to continue providing parenting skill classes and skills training.
City of Ansonia, $9,000.00 to purchase a mass disaster alarm system.
City of Ansonia, Fiduciary for Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, $4,000.00 to provide scholarships to girls from the Lower Naugatuck high schools.
City of Ansonia, $8,720.00 to provide youth art lessons at the Ansonia Summer Program.
Connecticut Humanities Council, $20,000.00 to support the Motheread/Fatheread Program in the Valley.
Connecticut Radio Information System, $3,000.00 to offset the costs of the studio’s transmitter links to allow broadcast to the Valley.
CT Department of Environmental Protection, Kellogg Environmental Center/Osborne Homestead Museum, $ 9,000.00 to prevent the deterioration of antique glass slides and its reproduction for future study.
Derby Historical Society, $10,000.00 to repair and restore the 200 year-old dry-laid stone in General David Humphrey’s House.
DSM TR1OX, Inc., $1,540.00 to support Troop 1 Oxford Boy Scouts.
Easter Seals Connecticut, $5,000.00 to provide campership assistance to children and adults with disabilities from the Valley.
Echo Hose Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc., $8,800.00 to purchase Automated External Defibrillators.
Electronic Valley, $13,538.00 to replace, upgrade and enhance the computer equipment.
Family & Children’s Aid, Inc., $10,000.00 to install a new roof and siding for the Shelton SAFE Home.
George J. Hummel Little League, $3,000.00 to replace existing scorer’s booth with new equipment.
Girl Scouts, Connecticut Trails Council, Inc., $9,922.00 to provide a Girl Scout Program including “Studio 2-B’’ to 240 girls age 11-17.
Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, $ 25,000.00 to launch a pilot project in collaborative training of technical and employability skills for manufacturing workers in the Valley.
Housatonic Council Boys Scouts of America, $15,210.00 to support the general operating expenses.
Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut, Inc, $10,000.00 to secure and expand its program impact in Ansonia, Derby & Seymour.
Long Wharf Theatre, $20,000.00 to help provide art education programs to schools in Seymour, Ansonia & Derby for the 2003-2004 season.
Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center, Inc, $15,000.00 to support the child and family mental health services in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Maritime Aquarium, $15,000.00 to provide marine science and environmental education enrichment programs to elementary and middle school students in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Mutual Housing Association of South Central, CT, Inc, $10,000.00 to support MHA’s activities in the Valley.
New Haven Symphony Orchestra, $20,000.00 to restore the NHSO’s education activities in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Operation Fuel, $2,000.00 to ensure the continuation of the emergency assistance program in the Derby/Seymour area.
Oxford Center Fire Company No. 1, $14,000.00 to purchase a turnout gear washer and hose washer.
Oxford Economic Development Corp, $12,500.00 to support the “Town Center” Master Plan.
Prevent Blindness Connecticut, $15,808.00 to support CT Eyecare for Kids Sight Saving Project for children in Seymour, Ansonia & Oxford.
Sage Services of Connecticut, Inc, $8,000.00 to provide employment opportunities for residents of Seymour and other Valley communities.
Seymour Ambulance Association, Inc, $32,900.00 to support the Fire Safety Trailer and Fire Prevention Education.
Seymour Fire Department, $15,000.00 to help replace protective clothing for the Junior Corps.
Seymour Land Conservation Trust, Inc., $5,000.00 to install audio/visual equipment in the Henry Hamel Environmental Center.
Seymour Public Library, $12,000.00 to fund a year of science programming for children in the elementary grades.
Seymour Public Library, $35,000.00 to replace windows in the 1958 section of the library.
Town of Seymour, $10,000.00 to replace swings and whimsey riders at two town parks.
Shakesperience Productions, Inc., $12,500.00 to help support live theatrical presentations to public schools in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Shelton Historical Society, $10,000.00 to support the salary of a professional library consultant and general operating expenses.
Southern Connecticut Library Council, $25,000.00 to support The Family Place at Derby Neck and Plumb Memorial Libraries.
St. Joseph Youth Group, $14,000.00 to support youth programs in the community.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church, $9,000.00 to provide partial funding for youth and adult sponsors to attend Workcamp 2003.
Storm Engine Company Ambulance & Rescue Corps Inc., $20,000.00 to replace Automatic External Defibrillators and to implement a public access Defibrillation Program.
TEAM, Inc., $15,000.00 to fund staff for the Asset Development Program for area families.
Town of Beacon Falls, $8,800.00 to purchase four Automated External defibrillators for Town police vehicles.
Town of Beacon Falls, $2,000.00 to purchase equipment for the senior center.
Town of Beacon Falls, $7,500.00 to continue with the building of a Skateboard Park for youth in Beacon Falls.
Valley Emergency Medical Services, $10,000.00 to replace or enhance current direct care patient equipment.
Valley United Way, $40,000.00 to provide funding for the Valley Needs and Opportunities Project.
Valley United Way, $20,000.00 to support Valley Council programs.
Valley United Way, $20,000.00 to continue the enhancement of Volunteer Action Center services.
WorkPlace, Inc., $12,500.00 to help support the Valley CTWorks Center for the access
and provision of employment services.
Young Audiences of Connecticut, $10,000.00 to help subsidize the arts-in-education program in the Valley schools.
Katharine Matthies Foundation
Fleet Bank, Trustee
C/o Marjorie Alexandre Davis
777 Main Street, CT EH 40222B
Hartford, CT 06115
(860) 986-7696 or (860) 986-7845