The Malta Business & Professional Association (MBPA) recently hosted the ninth annual Taste of Malta at Hudson Valley Community College’s TEC-SMART in Malta.
The evening featured a variety of area restaurants who served samples of their best fare to over 200 attendees. As they have for the past seven years, the MBPA donated event proceeds to the Ballston Spa Central School District to support educational enrichment programs and initiatives.
This year’s event raised $4,000 for the Ballston Spa Partnership for Innovation in Education Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. The funding will be used to support the district’s Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School, implemented at TEC-SMART in partnership with Hudson Valley Community College.
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Campagna Restaurant in Malta is hosting its annual charity dinner to benefit the Malta Veteran Appreciation Program (MVAP), a local organization that provides charitable support services to veterans. Last year’s event raised over $4000 to help fund MVAP’s many activities including special projects and facilitation of needed services.
The event begins Sunday October 8th at 5 p.m. and will include a champagne happy hour, a four-course meal prepared by Campagna’s Executive Chef Mark Graham, numerous raffle and silent auction items, and live entertainment.
Tickets are $85 per person and can be purchased in advance calling Campagna at 518-289-5693.
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Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, an international volunteer organization for business and professional women, is seeking women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families and are in need of financial assistance to go back to school.
In addition to being the primary wage earner, the applicant is required to: have a financial need; be accepted or enrolled in an undergraduate or vocational skills training program; be a resident of any of the locations where there is a Soroptimist chapter; and not have previously been a recipient of this award,
Soroptimist members are ineligible.
To apply for the grant, email a request for an application to Cynthia Eletto at cynthiaeletto@gmail.com Applications must be returned to Soroptimist International of Saratoga County by Nov. 15.
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The Saratoga Foundation for Innovative Learning (SFIL) will hold a “Celebrate. Innovate. Educate,” dinner reception 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19 at Prime at Saratoga National, 458 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs.
The reception will include dinner, a showcase of innovative grants that have been awarded during the past year and a musical performance by Saratoga Springs City School District students.
Proceeds from this event will benefit hurricane simulation materials for Natural Disasters classes; Forensic Science Genius Hour materials; VEX robotics super kits for morning math group; Playaway BookPacks and accessories for the Caroline Street Elementary School Library; equipment for a pop-up performance space at Saratoga Springs High School; and materials for the second phase of the Saratoga Springs High School Sustainability Park.
To learn more about the event, visit saratogalearning.org/support/cie/ or email info@saratogalearning.org.
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DeCrescente Distributing Co. announced its recertification by OSHA as a SHARP site in New York state. The company has held that distinction since 2006.
The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) award is earned by companies that create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace for their employees by identifying and implementing best practices to protect workers, creating a culture that focuses on safety and maintaining a workplace injury rate that is under the national average for the industry.
The certification means DeCrescente meets or exceeds all requirements with an injury rate that is approximately half the national rate for its industry. Currently there are only 55 companies in New York state that are SHARP-certified and in 2006, DeCrescente was the first beverage distributor in the state designated as a SHARP site. Today, there are only two other beverage distributors in the state that share the award.
The SUNY Empire State College community has contributed to the SUNY Strong fund, an ongoing statewide effort to raise funds for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and for future disaster relief.
The SUNY Empire college community surpassed its initial goal of raising $2,500. More than $5,000 has been contributed.
Donations and contributions to SUNY Strong relief efforts were delivered to Florida and will be distributed to hurricane victims in partnership with relief organizations. Activated for duty by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration.
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The U.S. Grant Cottage Historic Site on Mount McGregor Road in Gansevoort was named the 24th state Literary Landmark by United for Libraries and the Empire State Center for the Book.
Literary Landmark status is granted to community locations associated with a literary figure, author, or his or her work. Ulysses S. Grant completed the second volume of his memoirs at the cottage, just days before his death in 1885.
Personal memoirs of Grant has never been out of print and has been praised by such diverse critics as Mark Twain, Thomas Nast, Henry James, Gertrude Stein, Edmund Wilson, Bruce Catton and Gore Vidal.
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The Ballston Spa Central School District has presented an Extra Mile Award to three community organizations for their support for innovative programs and involvement in the district during the past year.
The district recognized Saratoga Hospital for its leadership and commitment to supporting the Scottie’s Backpack Program at the Milton Terrace Elementary School.
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center was presented an award for the dance residency partnership that was established in Malta Avenue Elementary School and that will expand to include Wood Road Elementary School this year.
National Grid was recognized for its continual involvement with STEM programs in the district, including the Clean Tech Early College High School and support for the district’s robust Robotics program.
For information on business partnership opportunities, contact Madeleine Petraglia, coordinator of district advancement, at mpetraglia@bscsd.org or 518-884-7195, ext. 1369.
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Saratoga Honda, 3402 Route 9, Saratoga Springs, has earned the Honda Environmental Leadership Award and has been recognized by American Honda Motor Co. Inc., as a leader in the company’s effort to reduce the environmental impact of dealerships in communities around the nation.
Saratoga Honda was among the first Honda automobile dealers to receive the award, according to the company.
Saratoga Honda earned the award for achieving specific environmental targets based on a points system that includes reducing total energy use at the dealership by at least 10 percent. It uses temperature control measures, reduced water waste, has a recycling program and employs solar energy.
Honda introduced its new voluntary “green dealer” program to its U.S. dealers in the fall of 2011. The company uses a third-party evaluator to conduct environmental audits of participating dealers and recommend strategies for reducing their energy use.
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The Saratoga Hospital Golf Invitational raised a record-breaking $158,642 this year to benefit the hospital’s RN scholarship program. Held at Saratoga National Golf Club on Sept. 7, the annual fundraising event presented by A.O.W. Associates Inc. included more than 300 golfers and guests in attendance.
Since the scholarship program was launched in 2002, 83 recipients have earned their associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in nursing and currently 54 recipients are working toward their degree. The investment in nursing education at Saratoga Hospital has an impact on the entire organization, most notably reflected in the Hospital’s Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center—the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice.
Saratoga Hospital has maintained Magnet designation since 2004, when the hospital became the first in the Capital Region to attain this designation. Statewide, only 26 hospitals have earned Magnet recognition. Saratoga Hospital is one of two in the Capital Region.
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The 38th annual Palamountain Scholarship benefit for Skidmore College, held on the grounds of the Saratoga Polo Association, raised $280,000, with all proceeds benefitting the Palamountain Scholarship Fund.
Twenty-two students will be receiving financial aid at Skidmore College this year in the form of Palamountain scholarships. In its 38 years, Palamountain funds have helped more than 350 students.
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The Halfmoon Waterford Fire District #1 has been awarded $59,048 in federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s 2016 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
The district plans to use the funds to acquire new training and simulation equipment. The district plans to purchase a Bullex Vehicle fire training simulator, and a Bullex Positive Pressure Ventilation Training House. The simulator will allow members to practice the skills necessary to successfully and safely extinguish vehicle fires.
The Positive Pressure Ventilation Training House trains members on reading smoke paths, door control, effective ventilation techniques and more. The new training equipment will also be made available neighboring mutual aid departments, thereby increasing training and interoperability throughout all of southern Saratoga County.
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The Saratoga Casino Hotel Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for the 2017 cycle. The foundation exists to support charitable and public benefit organizations whose mission is the betterment of quality of life, health and welfare of Saratoga County residents.
To qualify for a grant, organizations must be classified as a not-for-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Applicant organizations must carry out services and activities that benefit the residents of Saratoga County. Activities that address problem gambling, support youth, senior citizens, recreation, arts and community benefit are given priority.
The deadline for grant request filing is Oct. 17. The foundation board will act on the grant applications by Nov. 13. Awards will be distributed at the regular meeting of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 21.
Grant applications can be downloaded online at saratogacasinohotelfoundation.org. Grant requests can also be submitted to: Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Casino Hotel Foundation Chairman, 40 McMaster St., Ballston Spa, New York 12020 or by email at TConnolly@SaratogaCountyNY.gov.