Klock Kingston Foundation Grants $25,000 to Support Health Care in Ulster County

The Klock Kingston Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to support the Benedictine Health Foundation’s programs that provide financial support and compassionate care to people coping with the diagnosis of cancer, and behavioral health and substance abuse disorders.

Programs that will benefit include the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund to assist cancer patients while they receive treatment, $90,000 is distributed annually, and valuable workshops and educational forums for adolescents to educate them on behavioral health conditions that can lead to discrimination or bullying, and create reluctance for our youth to seek help. Topics presented are crucial to healthy development, self-esteem and confidence, and share a critical message of persistence, resilience, self-worth and hard work.

“We thank the Klock Foundation and Key Private Bank for their continuous support of our mission to raise and distribute resources to support quality healthcare that improves the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of those who are vulnerable and underserved in Ulster County and the surrounding area,” stated Robert J. Ryan, Jr., President of the Benedictine Health Foundation.

The Klock Kingston Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Ulster County to advance education, literacy, the arts, public health and the sciences. “As a member of the Klock Kingston Trustees, we are again proud to continue the charitable legacy of Lucia and Jay Klock, and to support health care services in the Ulster County community,” stated Sloan Saverine, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of Key Private Bank.

The Benedictine Health Foundation, based in Kingston, NY, has supported healthcare programs and services since 1977. For further information, contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 481-1303.

Over 700 bike enthusiasts, runners and walkers participated in Benedictine Health Foundation’s Bike for Cancer Care on Sunday, September 18th at Dietz Stadium.  The event reached its fundraising goal of $150,000 due to an overwhelming community response.

Now in its 13th year, the event added a 5K Run / Walk through uptown Kingston and a Kids Fun Run inside Dietz Stadium in addition to the existing 50-mile, 25-mile and 12-mile bike rides.  Over 175 volunteers were on hand to staff the event.

Lunch donated by Hannaford Supermarkets, ice cream from Stewart’s Shops, and music by Payne’s Grey Sky was enjoyed at the post event awards ceremony.  94.3 FM, The Wolf, was on site to provide announcements and entertainment during the event.

The inaugural 5K honored Carly Elaina Bradley, formerly of Kingston, and Lisa Naccarato Schatzel, a lifetime resident of Kingston, who lost their battles to cancer earlier this year.  For the second year, the 50-mile ride was named in memory of Dan Barnes, a graduate of Kingston High School, class of 2003.  Dan passed away in 2015 at the age of 30 after a two year battle with Melanoma.  Friends, family and community members came out to support the event forming Team Bradley, Schatzel Strong, and Dan’s Fans.

Proceeds benefit the Benedictine Health Foundation’s Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund, which provides financial assistance in the form of gift cards for cancer patients to purchase food or fuel while they receive treatment.  The Fund, established in memory of Rosemary in 2004, has distributed over $700,000 to more than 1600 local cancer patients.

The Foundation and Gruner families extend special thanks to its Platinum Sponsors: 94.3 FM, The Wolf, Timely Signs, Anita Williams Peck, Hannaford Supermarkets, Stewart’s Shops and Dr. Zoe Weinstein, and to all event sponsors, donors, participants and volunteers for their generosity.

For further information, contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, Benedictine Health Foundation at (845) 481-1303 or bklassen@bhfoundation.org.

Photo: Kingston High School Bike for Cancer Cheering Squad

 

On May 18, at its annual Fashion Show, In The Pink, the Benedictine Auxiliary presented a check for $20,000 to the Benedictine Health Foundation in support of cancer services at the Mary’s Avenue Campus of HealthAlliance. Dr. Camilo Torres, Radiation Oncologist, and Dr. Zoe Weinstein, Cancer Liaison Physician and Surgeon, accepted the check on behalf of HealthAlliance.

Over 150 guests enjoyed the event at Wiltwyck Golf Club featuring guest Master of Ceremonies, Rich Mathews, and music by Michael Dell.

The Benedictine Auxiliary has contributed over $1 million to improve health care technology and enhance the care of patients at the hospital. “We are very pleased to continue our support of HealthAlliance and the exceptional cancer services they provide for our community,” stated Loretta Landsman, Auxiliary President.

Photo, L to R: Dr. Camilo Torres, Dr. Zoe Weinstein, and Loretta Landsman, Benedictine Auxiliary President

The Klock Foundation recently awarded a grant of $25,000 to the Benedictine Health Foundation in support of the Foundation’s Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund. The Fund provides direct financial assistance to local cancer patients while they receive treatment. Each eligible patient receives $500 annually in the form of gift cards to purchase nutritious food at Hannaford Supermarkets and/or fuel at Stewart’s Shops to help cover the expense of transportation to treatment. Over 1495 patients have been served by the program with over $655,000 distributed in assistance.

The Klock Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Ulster County to advance education, literacy, the arts, public health and the sciences. “We are once again proud to continue the charitable legacy of Lucia and Jay Klock, and to support health care services in the Ulster County community, stated Sloan Saverine, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of Key Private Bank. KeyBank has managed the Klock Foundation for 48 years with Mr. Saverine serving as a Foundation Trustee.

The Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund was established in 2004 by the Gruner family in partnership with the Benedictine Health Foundation, Inc., a local not for profit organization in Kingston. “This Fund is a vital component of our work to help patients and their families when faced with the diagnosis of cancer and difficult treatments. We are grateful for the continued generosity and support of the Klock Foundation,” stated Barbara Klassen, Executive Director of the Benedictine Health Foundation.

For further information contact us!

Picture caption from left: Wendy Quinn (Bank), Perry Lasher, Anna Brett & Elenie Loizou (Junior League of Kingston), John Werner, Hope Nemiroff (Breast Cancer Options), Christine Hein (People’s Place), Sean DuBois, Elisa Anderson (Rip Van Winkle Council), Scott Reynolds (Kiwanis Kingston Classic), Jess Davis, Barbara Klassen (Benedictine Health Foundation), Shari Bach (Paws Unlimited), Joe Fay (Kiwanis Kingston Classic), Suzy Hinchey (Ulster County Community Action), Jennifer Geuss (Ulster County SPCA), Ray Braun (Rip Van Winkle Council), Ellen Cordero (Autism Society Hudson Valley), Rodney Batista (Triumph Organization), Rob Agostinoni, and Don Gibson.

Local non-profit organizations were presented with donations from The Bank of Greene County’s Charitable Foundation at the Bank’s new Kingston branch location in Ulster County.  On hand to present the awards were Donald Gibson (President), Jess Davis (Kingston Branch Manager), Perry Lasher (Commercial Lending Director), Sean DuBois (Commercial Lending Officer), Rob Agostinoni (Lending Manager), and John Werner (Lending Consultant).  A total of $94,000 will be awarded this year from the Bank of Greene County’s Charitable Foundation to over 100 local non-profit organizations.  And as part of the Grand Opening specials for the new branch, the Bank also donated $10 to a local charity for every new account opened during the promotional period.

The organizations receiving donations at this time were:

  • American Cancer Society Relay for Life
  • Autism Society Hudson Valley
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Benedictine Health Foundation
  • Breast Cancer Options
  • Caring Hands Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry
  • Health Alliance Foundation
  • Junior League of Kingston
  • Kiwanis Kingston Classic
  • Paws Unlimited
  • People’s Place
  • Rip Van Winkle Council, Boy Scouts
  • Triumph Organization
  • Ulster County Community Action
  • Ulster County SPCA
  • United Way of Ulster County
  • YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County

Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded close to $900,000 to fund a wide variety of projects benefiting and including education, health and wellness, social and civic services, culture, arts, and affordable housing. Applications are accepted each year between December 1st and January 15th.  More information about The Bank of Greene County and the Charitable Foundation may be found at the Bank’s website www.tbogc.com.

Supporting the Benedictine Spirit of Compassionate Care