Grange Endowment Fosters Agricultural Interest Among Local Youth

July 22, 2008: The Oriental Grange of Mill City has created a permanent endowment fund with The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties that will help maintain an interest in agriculture among young people in Wyoming County. The Grange will decide upon the annual use of the fund that will have the ability to grant financial assistance to any agricultural non-profit program or organization for youth, or to provide a college scholarship for a student majoring in an agriculture related field.

Jack Tomlin, Treasurer of The Oriental Grange, stated that "money was raised to establish this endowment from the sale of our Grange Meeting Hall, and we want to see it used to maintain an interest in agriculture of the youth in our area. We will be looking to local Future Farmers of America chapters, 4-H chapters, the Tunkhannock Area School District, and other groups to help us find the best use of these funds in the future." Peter Quigg, Director of Development for The Community Foundation, points out "our endowments support a broad array of purposes, and in this case the Grange is to be commended for its efforts to keep active a vital aspect of our local heritage. We are very pleased the Grange members have chosen us to help them maintain a way of life that has always been an important part of our region."

Those wishing to further enhance the value The Oriental Grange of Mill City Fund, and thus its annual financial support of local youth, may send their tax-deductible donations directly to The Community Foundation.