Board honors founder of foundation

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities board has presented the John Vitullo Award to Robert H. Van Sickle, founder of the Van Sickle Foundation for "R" Kids.
The award, created in 1995 to honor the memory of Vitullo, a board member, was presented Tuesday during a holiday festival at Leonard Kirtz School. Recipients are chosen based on their service to the community, devotion to family, contributions to MRDD programs and the spirit of friendship.
Requests for funding from Van Sickle's foundation may be sent to The Van Sickle Foundation, P.O. Box 6022, Youngstown 44501. The spending cap is $2,500 unless the board votes unanimously to exceed that limit.
To be eligible for a grant from the foundation, all other sources of funding must be exhausted. Funds awarded go directly to suppliers, never to individuals, other foundations or charitable organizations. Board members are all volunteers, and 100 percent of funds raised directly benefit children of the community.