Watkins Glen Elks presents grant funding to Schuyler Hospital

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. ( WETM ) — Representatives from Schuyler Hospital and the Village of Watkins Glen gathered at the Watkins Glen Elks Lodge Tuesday afternoon to accept grant money donated from the lodge.

A check for $5,000 was presented to Schuyler Hospital in front of the lodge on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at noon right next to the main sign for the Elks Lodge.

In a release from the Watkins Glen Elks Lodge, of the $5,000 donated to Schuyler Hospital, $4,000 will go to the physical therapy department and $1,000 to Gorges Giver, a group dedicated to helping women battling cancer.

An additional $1,000 was donated, $500 of which was presented to the Village of Watkins Glen, and the other $500 will go to the Camp STAR program for needs associated with the program.

For the 5th year, the Watkins Glen Elks Lodge has applied for and received grant funding from the Beacon and Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation. The grants allow the lodge to support community-based organizations with financial gifts.

Recipients focus on increasing the quality of the community and spirit of Watkins Glen and greater Schuyler County.

According to Chuck Franzese, past exalted ruler and secretary for the Watkins Glen Elks, even though Watkins Glen has a thriving tourism industry, local organizations still struggle to get valuable funding throughout the year.

“Watkins Glen has a lot going for it with tourism and visitors year-round with the wineries and the race track, but still we struggle to raise funds to keep these necessary community activities going and so places like the Elks can help with that as best they can,” Franzese said.

The release said that the Watkins Glen Elks Lodge has helped donate $29,500 to community-based organizations over the last five years.

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