1. Art and Diseño

Annual Report Edition
A n U p da t e f o r Fr i e n ds o f t h e C e nt er , J a n ua r y 20 1 5
Dear Friends,
Executive Director
Kari Cushing
Board of Directors
Brian Corcoran
(President)
Karen D’Andrea
(Vice President)
Andrew Ferrara
(Treasurer)
Christopher Cook
(Secretary)
Rick Amico
George Igler
Cathy London
Jason Lynch
Dorothy Lysyczyn
Bob McTague
Marne Onderdonk
Michael Russo
Edward Stano
Dennis Zimmerman
I consider it an honor to serve as Franklin Community Center’s Board of Directors President and a privilege to have my feelings for Franklin on the cover of
our 2015 Annual Franklin Footnotes newsletter. I would like to start off by
thanking you for your continued support of Franklin Community Center and let
you know what has been going on. In this issue of Franklin Footnotes, we will
share with you our key accomplishments from the past year, as well as our vision for the future. We owe our success in helping others to you, without your
support we would not be able to continue to meet the current demand. The
relationships we have formed in this community are essential to our success.
I have been an active supporter of Franklin Community Center for the past 13
years, most of which have included Board membership. I have enlisted the
help of my wife, children, extended family members, and friends to support
Franklin through various ways. I have stood in the middle of intersections
during coin drops and have dedicated countless hours to fundraising. From
donating and volunteering to acting as a community ambassador charged with
spreading the word about Franklin, I am continually impressed by the wellbalanced and unique dynamic of this organization. Driven by efficiency and
fiscal conservancy, combined with the compassion and empathy that is
necessary to provide such vital services to those in-need. This is the delicate
and rare balance for which a donor searches when choosing a charity to
support. I can say with confidence that those qualities are exemplified in
Franklin.
With economic times remaining unstable and the demand for services still on
the rise, the Board of Directors at Franklin Community Center decided it was
time to revisit our programs to see where we could make changes to help combat this. I am delighted to tell you, our supporters, that we have begun a capital campaign to raise the necessary funds to expand our food pantry services.
We will begin construction on the space in February and have an anticipated
opening date of spring 2015.
The new pantry will allow Franklin to join the Northeastern New York Regional
Food Bank ensuring donated dollars will go further. Membership will also
allow Franklin to continue to meet the rising demand for services, to utilize
grants available to registered pantries, to provide perishable items …the list
goes on and on. This endeavor will give Franklin the opportunity to reinvest in
our community and continue on with our mantra of sending people out the
door with what they came in looking for.
As your neighborhood, grass-roots organization, we’ll continue to do what we
do best for as long as we have your support, knowing that with each person we
serve, “we are making a difference.”
With gratitude,
Brian J Corcoran
Please become a Friend of the Center
In 2015 To donate, please fill out the
response card located on page 3
of this newsletter or on our website.
Donate via mail, telephone or online
and know you are helping us
continue to make a difference in our
community.
Our Present Programs include but
are not limited to:

Safe and affordable
housing

Food pantry

Project Lift, after
school prevention
program

Free clothing and
household items
distribution center

Furniture distribution
program

Holiday assistance

Advocacy and referral
information

School supplies

Summer camp
scholarships

School supply
assistance

Free haircuts

And more…..
Brian J. Corcoran, President – Board of Directors
Our Philosophy is to “Send people out the door with
whatever they came in looking for.”
Key Accomplishments for 2014



In 2014, we provided approximately 80,500 meals with
our food pantry—about 3 days worth of non-perishable
food items for each family who comes through our doors.
That number is up from approximately 27,700 in 2009!

Our free store at 101 Washington Street served almost
8,700 people in 2014. This included the hundreds of coats 
that were distributed.

We gave out over 300 Halloween costumes and helped to 
provide Christmas gifts to 897 local children!

Our golf tournament in June 2014 raised $20,000.

A successful collaboration with The Saratoga Senior
Center raised $1,500 for each agency at our Brooks BBQ.

We raised nearly $50,000 at our Project Lift University
Event in October!!

Our after-school prevention program, Project Lift, served
59 Project Lifters, 48 families and 54 siblings in 2014.

Our capital campaign to expand the food pantry is off to a
successful start!
Through Project Lift we’ve provided help to local families with
sports, birthdays and other important milestones that might not
otherwise have been possible.
We had over 130 high school and college volunteers participate
in Project Lift.
We had over 100 volunteers participate in projects around the
Center, including many Navy folks.
We secured 98 weeks of summer camp scholarships for local
children largely due to assistance from The Christopher Dailey
Foundation and Saratoga Springs Rotary.

Dan the Barber is still providing free haircuts for boys/men 2 x
monthly and he has been joined by Amy the Hairdresser who
will do women’s hair on a monthly basis.

With the help of TJ’s Turkeys and other groups we were able to
provide holiday food baskets to all our Project Lift families for
both Thanksgiving and Christmas. They provided gifts to 30
teens for Christmas as well!
Who We Are and What Makes Us Unique
“Who is Franklin Community Center?” is a question we hear all too often. Most of you reading this newsletter
are familiar with who we are, but for those who aren’t here is your answer. Simply put, Franklin is a non-profit
agency that works to provide grass roots, non-bureaucratic, basic necessities to those who need it: food, low
income housing, clothing and furniture distribution, information and referral services, and after school youth
programs. The goal of the Center is, and has always been to “send people out the door with whatever they came
looking for.”
Our small staff is dedicated to our community and works hard to ensure those in need are being helped. We rely
heavily on our community to support our programs and value the relationships we have built with our supporters
immensely. We understand the importance of working with other social service agencies and how, by working
together, we can make a much bigger impact.
We invite you to come to the Center, walk in our bright blue front door and say hello to our Office Manager
Debbie. Find out more about who we are, what we do, and see the space we do it in. We are proud of our
accomplishments and eager to show them off any chance we get. Who knows, maybe you will find your niche in
Franklin Community Center and join our amazing team of volunteers.
Franklin Footnotes
www.franklincommunitycenter.org
January 2015
Our Goal for the Future….Expanded Food Pantry Services
As you may know, Franklin has grown accustomed to evolving and adapting to the ever-changing economic climate. We are
constantly brainstorming new ideas to enhance community partnerships, utilize volunteers, and expand services while maintaining
expenses.

Our Board of Directors, Campaign Committee, and staff are excited to announce that Franklin Community Center has begun a
capital campaign to expand and construct a new Food Pantry at the Center!!
*The number of people being served by the food pantry has more than tripled since 2009 (from 3,084 in 2009 to
approximately 10,000 in 2014).
*The new space will be 6 times larger than our current space.
*Franklin will be able to become a registered member of the Regional Food Bank, enabling us to
purchase food at a very reduced rate and will make us eligible to receive many items for free.
*The entrance for the new pantry will be on East Beekman Street. This will allow for better privacy,
increased safety, and free up the congestion that is frequently on Franklin Street.
*Franklin will be able to utilize and accommodate the growing number of folks looking to volunteer.


The new pantry is Franklin’s way to show our investment in the community while producing a response to an
overwhelming need.
Help us reach our $150,000 Capital Campaign goal to expand the Food Pantry.
Franklin welcomes Julie Slovic as our Food Program and Financial Administrator. Julie will be responsible for managing and
developing the Center’s food pantry operations and assisting in the financial management of the organization. She brings with her
Board, management and operation experience.
“I look forward to bringing my skills, dedication and enthusiasm to make a strong contribution to both the center and the Saratoga
community. In my spare time I love to run, golf and play tennis, as well as dabble in painting. I have also been involved in numerous
community service organizations in the Capital District.” Julie Slovic
Please cut this form and return it back to us in the enclosed envelope.
Become a 2015 Friend of the Center.
Your donation will help us continue our necessary programs and services.
GIVE LOCAL
volunteer▪support▪donate
I would like to be a Friend of the Center!
Continuing Member— $25
Supporting Member— $50
Patron— $100
Benefactor— $500
Life Member— $1000
Other— $______
Name:
If you are interested in being
added to our EMAIL ONLY mailing
list please check box and list your
email address below
Phone:____________ Email:
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
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city
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zip
Franklin Footnotes
www.franklincommunitycenter.org
3
January 2015
____
Let’s Get Together
Grab your calendars! We’ve got lots of great stuff coming up in 2015
Year long: Check out our website to see the different ways you can help!
January: Our Annual Friends of the Center Campaign, see page 3 for more details!
February: Construction begins on our new Food Pantry!
March: We’ll be looking for prize donors and sponsors for our golf tournament in June.
Spring: Stay tuned for the opening of our new Food Pantry! We will be seeking donations to fill the shelves.
June: Saturday, June 6th is our 17th Annual “Franklin Open” Golf Tournament at Windy Hills. Food donations are always needed this
time of year, too!
July: Consider making a donation to help fill our new pantry shelves; summer months are a tough time for us.
August: Get your school supplies in!
October: Project Lift University at Longfellows, stay tuned for details...you won’t want to miss it!
Interested in sponsoring a family for the holidays? Call us in OCTOBER!!!!
November & December: Two of our busiest months; consider volunteering!
Continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information at www.franklincommunitycenter.org
Don’t forget you can also visit our website at www.franklincommunitycenter.org and make your
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covering all fees associated with
our online donation system to
ensure every dollar donated goes
back to our community.
Method of Payment
I have enclosed a check in the amount of $______
Name as it appears on card: _________________________________
Amount to be charged $______
Card Number: __________________________________
3 Digit Security Code (found on back of card): _______
Card Type: Visa
Expiration Date:____/____
Discover
Mastercard
Phone:______________
Billing Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
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Signature: ___________________________________________________
Thank you for choosing Franklin Community Center to be the
beneficiary of your generosity. Please know your donation will be used
to serve local families and children in need. Together, we are making a
difference.
GIVE LOCAL
volunteer▪support▪donate
The Smiles, The Impact, The Kindness…
(Client names have been withheld)
“Picking up and dropping off the donation each week gave me a great feeling. It was often a reminder to me to be
thankful for what I have. Many of us get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget the more serious struggles
that people in our own backyard are facing. It’s amazing to think that less than an hour of my time could have
made someone’s whole day a little brighter. Your organization does great work, and I was more than happy to
help out!” Jenny, a volunteer who helped with our weekly Panera Bread program.
“ Thank you all so very much for the
selfless, hard work and time you give.
My life has been made better because
of you and so have the lives of so many
others. Thank you, thank you, THANK
YOU ALL! Happy Holidays” written in a
Christmas card sent by a client
“I am me and I like me.” Project Lifter
“My brother lives in Saratoga and suffers from mental
health issues. I live across the country and constantly
worry about him. He has been coming to your office for
his haircuts, thank you for doing that for him.” Call from
concerned sister
“Without your help this
year, my kids would have
woken up on Christmas
morning with nothing.
Thank you for helping
us.” Lisa, client
“One of the guys whose hair I cut here (at Franklin)
stopped by my shop in Ballston Spa. He found a job, an
apartment, and couldn't have been prouder to sit in my
chair and pay me for a cut!” Dan the Barber
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE
“I am important.”
Project Lifter
My children participated in Project Lift for years
and loved it! The staff made them feel great
about themselves and taught them so many
different things. We love being a Project Lift
family!” parent, Project Lift
“Project Lift makes me a better person.”
Project Lifter
A view of our Holiday Christmas Store that allowed
local parents to shop, for free, for their children.
I have worked at Franklin for a number of years now and I am continually amazed at how supportive this
community is. We have donors and clients alike who will help in any way possible; everything from general
maintenance around our building to providing an amazing holiday for some children in need. We really appreciate
this and want to make sure everyone knows it. Without everyone lending a helping hand, Franklin would not be
able to provide the services we do. Thank you, Franklin Staff Member
Franklin Footnotes
www.franklincommunitycenter.org
5
January 2015
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