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Operation Christmas Child begins annual collection of shoeboxes for children overseas.
Chamber of commerce’s Taste of the North Country returns next Thursday with tasty food, auction items.
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...Also, look inside for results from Tuesday’s election! November 7, 2009
Hoping for a million Hannah’s Hope Fund aims to raise $500,000 by February to be matched by philanthropist By Jeremiah S. Papineau jeremiah@denpubs.com REXFORD — Lori and Matt Sames have been searching for a way to eradicate a rare neurological disorder known as giant axonal neuropathy since their daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed with the condition three years ago. Now, it appears efforts to raise necessary funding to research GAN have taken a huge step forward. Hannah’s Hope Fund has been awarded a $500,000 matching grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation, a private family foundation established by philanthropist Doris Buffett, sister of billionaire Warren Buffett. The connection between Hannah’s Hope Fund and the Sunshine Lady Foundation was made by an 84-year-old woman from Niskayuna in Schenectady County who learned of Hannah’s condition through local news coverage, said Hannah’s aunt, Carrie Favaro of Saranac, who has been helping oversee
fundraising efforts in the North Country. The woman contacted the Sunshine Lady Foundation and made the foundation aware of Hannah’s Hope Fund. Not long after, Sames said she was contacted by the foundation about how they could help Hannah’s Hope Fund. “Oh my goodness, I was just amazed,” said Sames, who, along with her husband, is originally from the Plattsburgh area. “I was breathless.” “It’s just amazing,” said Favaro. “It was serendipity, I guess.” A representative from the foundation outlined the terms of the matching grant — also referred to as a challenge grant — noting the foundation would match up to $500,000 dollar for dollar raised between Aug. 15, 2009, and Feb. 15, 2010. “At first, I thought they meant 2011,” said Sames, “but they said that it was actually 2010. The reason is because See MILLION, page 11
Hannah’s Hope Fund has the opportunity to raise $1 million if it can raise $500,000 toward a matching grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation, a private family foundation established by philanthropist Doris Buffett. The fund, established in honor of Hannah Sames, pictured here, aims to research and find a cure for giant axonal neuropathy. Photo submitted by Carrie Favaro
Hospice of the North Country to build new administrative facility
Having a spoooooooky good time
Groundbreaking Monday at Tom Miller Road site By Jeremiah S. Papineau jeremiah@denpubs.com
Morrisonville Elementary School hosted a “Spooky Family Reading Night” Oct. 30, inviting students and their parents to hear haunting tales from school staff members. Several in attendance showed up in costume, including greeters like the ones shown here, dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz. Morrisonville's own “Wicked Witch,” Cathy Defayette, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Presenters include The Cowardly Lion (principal Brad Ott), The Scarecrow (art teacher Jerry Girard), and The Wizard (physical education teacher Ryan LaTulip). The readings were followed by a costume parade. The evening also included a “witch’s brew” and “ghostly treats” served by student volunteers from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. More photos from the event may be found on page 12. Photos submitted by Shawna Dutko
PLATTSBURGH — Hospice of the North Country will soon have a new home for its administrative offices in Plattsburgh. The nonprofit organization will break ground for a new facility on Tom Miller Road this Monday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. Executive director Kent W. Brooks said the organization began examining the move in May, searching for real estate to purchase, lease or rent. “We really couldn’t find one to suit our needs,” said Brooks. However, the organization eventually crossed paths with Donald M. and Suzanne B. Kasprzak, who were willing to sell property they own on Tom Miller Road to Hospice for half of mar-
ket value. “That was a great start,” said Brooks, who signed closing papers for the property Nov. 3. Since then, Hospice hasn’t had to pay any associated costs with preparing the site. Legal fees, engineering fees, architectural fees — all have been donated by the respective firms to help Hospice keep the cost of the move as low as possible, said Brooks, who estimated the overall donation of services somewhere between See GROUNDBREAKING, page 11
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