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Thorndike elected chair of community foundation By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Medford business and community leader Bill Thorndike Jr. is the new chairman of the Oregon Community Foundation, one of the state's most influential philanthropic agencies. Thorndike was elected to the two-year post at the foundation's annual meeting this month. At the same time, Jacksonville community leader Lyn Hennion was named to the OCF's board of directors. The appointments give Southern Oregon a strong voice in the foundation, which also announced $124,500 in grants to regional community programs as well as an unprecedented $625,000 to aid programs to help people hurt by the state's faltering economy. The funds will include $250,000 to help the Oregon Food Bank distribute supplies more efficiently to community food programs, where demand has risen in some cases by more than 50 percent. The remaining $375,000 has been set aside for grants to nonprofit agencies that fill vital basic needs but are experiencing pressures of decreased funding and increased demand because of economic factors. "It's designated for agencies that are up against a wall," Thorndike said. "We want them to know that there are resources." Agencies seeking information can visit the OCF Web site at www.ocf1.org or call Kathleen Davis, regional director of development, at 773-8987. Local recipients of the latest round of OCF grants include the following agencies: Artattack Theater Company, Medford, $2,000 from the Riley Family Fund for a digital sound system. Children's Dental Clinic of Jackson County, Medford, $7,500 from the Oregon Dental Foundation Fund to support dental services for children. Community Works, Medford, $35,000 from the William and Florence Schneider Fund to help fund board development and improvement of information services. Center for Nonprofit Legal Services, Medford, $20,000 from the William and Florence Schneider Fund to increase legal services provided through the Immigration Law Project. Dogs for the Deaf, Central Point, $10,000 from the Mary E. and Carl W. Finstrom Fund to provide training expenses for dogs to assist in-home patients who lack family support. Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland, $3,000 from the John Unruh Fund to support services in Douglas County. Grants Pass High School Foundation, Grants Pass, $15,000 to complete the acquisition of equipment for the school's performing arts center. Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, $2,500 from the William W. and Patricia L. Westtinger Fund. Southern Oregon Historical Society, Medford, $10,000 from the John and Jane Youell Fund to pay for repairs to the classic revival farmhouse at Hanley Farm. Southern Oregon Humane Society, Medford, $1,000 from the Riley Family Fund to support a part-time education coordinator to deliver education programs about humane society activities. Southern Oregon University Foundation, Ashland, $10,000 from the Fleck Family Fund and the Frank and Grace Bascom Fund to support "Academia Latina," which provides a range of educational and recreational activities for Hispanic youth. Trinity Respite Center, Ashland, $15,000 from the William and Florence Schneider Fund to increase adult care for dementia clients. White City Charitable Foundation, White City, $10,000 from the Frank and Grace Bascom Fund to construct a skateboard park. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.