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3 groups join to form Boardman foundation
By Denise Dick
By DENISE DICK
BOARDMAN
Three organizations — two foundations and one civic group — aim to promote positive aspects about the community and raise funds for projects.
The announcement of the formation of the Boardman Community Foundation came at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Good Morning Boardman event Friday at Antone’s.
“We’re interested in raising money not just for today but, more importantly, for tomorrow,” said James Rosa, president of the nonprofit foundation.
It’s partnering with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.
In establishing the group, members researched several similar organizations including the one in Salem.
That group started in 1966 with a $2,000 contribution and today benefits that community with $1 million per year, Rosa said.
“We want to create a vehicle by which the community can invest in itself,” he said.
The Boardman Schools Fund for Excellence, a component fund of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, provides funds for projects aimed at improving students’ educational experience.
Sidney Jones, a trustee of the group, said the fund provides money “to do things in the schools they aren’t able to do with money from the state.”
The fund focuses on the school district’s academics, arts and athletics.
Boardman Community Pride also was introduced at Friday’s breakfast gathering. The group started about a year ago as the Boardman Branding Committee to advise township trustees on how to promote a more positive image for the township.
Larry Moliterno, township trustees’ chairman, founded the group.
Jeff Barone, group member, said the group has expanded its scope of service.
“While the primary purpose is to promote pride in the community, it also serves Boardman Township trustees as a sounding board, an idea generator and facility for community feedback and events,” Barone said.
The group hopes to identify the good things about Boardman, determine what can be improved in the community and offer assistance to achieve those improvements and may serve as an organizing body for community projects.