Published: May 29, 2009 12:11 am      

Foundation announces Cambria, Somerset grants

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Distribution Committee has approved $54,775 in grants for charitable organizations in Cambria and Somerset counties.

The largest grant, $10,000, went to The Learning Lamp based in Johnstown. The money will be used in the formation of a Boys and Girls Club in Moxham, said Mike Kane, foundation executive director.

In Somerset County, among the outlays are two grants totaling $5,000 for Somerset-based Laurel Arts for an education and dance center.

Organizations that received grants, their amounts and purposes:

• Ancient Order of Hibernians, Johnstown, $250, Irish Cultural Celebration.

• Beginnings, Johnstown, $400, Keep Books and Writing Center.

• Victim Services, Johnstown, $1,500, suicide prevention for the elderly.

• Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Johnstown, $3,000, Mayer Trail in Hornerstown, and $1,500, Stream Team AmeriCorps.

• Cresson Lake Playhouse, Ebensburg, $1,000, Children’s Theatre Arts and Educational Festival.

• Johnstown Business District Coalition, $1,000, downtown dog park.

• Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, $2,000, July 4 concert.

• Cambria County Children and Youth Services, Johnstown, $1,250, visiting room renovation.

• Art Works in Johnstown, $1,500, To Know You is to Love You.

• Greater Johnstown Youth League Association, $1,500, fencing and bleacher repairs.

• West End Improvement Group, Johnstown, $1,500, Route 56 project.

• Johnstown BMX, $2,000, safety improvements and first aid equipment.

• Cambria County Student Hockey League, $3,000, Sitting Bull sled hockey.

• Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, $3,500, Johnstown Tech Park Riverwalk.

• The Learning Lamp, Johnstown, $10,000, establishment of a Boys and Girls Club in Moxham.

• Professional Family Care Services, Johnstown, $500, family group decision making.

• Distinctive Human Services, Johnstown, $1,000, escorted medical transportation.

• Cancer Caring Center, Johnstown, $1,800, women’s cancer support group.

• Keystone Chapter of American Red Cross, Johnstown, $2,500, 100 Families Emergency Fund.

• Mary S. Biesecker Library, Somerset, $500, phase 2 of the Gates Initiative.

• Somerset County Flag Committee, $500, flag committee use.

• Turkeyfoot Lending Library, Harnedsville, $575, resource displays and signage.

• Cambria-Somerset County Multiple Sclerosis Society, Johnstown, $1,000, enhanced massage therapy program.

• Laurel Arts, Somerset, $5,000, education and dance center.

• Somerset Therapeutic Association for Riding, $1,000, STAR riding program.

• Boys & Girls Club of Somerset County, Somerset, $3,000, AmeriCorps liason with Somerset Area School District.

• Meyersdale Area School District, Meyersdale, $2,500, tennis court renovations.

The grants are from the distribution committee’s spring meeting.

The deadline for the fall round of grants is Aug. 28, Kane said.