Educational Foundation

Educational Foundation logo

The Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation, Inc. is a private, independent, volunteer-led nonprofit, formed in 2019 to support, encourage and enrich the educational programs and staff activities of Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (“BOCES”).

The Foundation’s Mission:

Provide financial support and resources, not otherwise available from regular budget sources or state or federal aid, for the benefit of the educational programs and staff activities offered by the BOCES.

Fund scholarships for eligible students to attend BOCES adult Workforce Development programs; fund materials, supplies or equipment required for eligible students to participate in all BOCES programs.

Fund scholarships for graduates of BOCES programs to attend post-secondary institutions in further preparation for competitive employment.

Engage community support for new initiatives to keep BOCES programs current and state of the art.

Foster relationships with former students of BOCES programs and their parents, as well as business, industry and government partners.

Erie 1 BOCES Foundation Directors:

Interim President
Nancy Bojanowski
nancyboj22@gmail.com
716-344-0087

Interim Vice President and Secretary
Carol Barber
cbarber52@outlook.com
716-954-3697

Treasurer
Anne Spadone
annespadone@gmail.com
716-913-3568

Trustee
Elizabeth Angelbeck
lizangelbeck@gmail.com
716-681-3699

Trustee
Carolyn Bright
Gbright5112@outlook.com
440-708-3723

Trustee
Jay Galligan
West Herr Automotive
jgalligan@westherr.com
716-984-2599

Trustee
Melody Jason
melodyjason2@gmail.com
716-583-5613

Trustee
Ryan G. Smith
rsmith@websterszanyi.com
716-842-2800

Trustee
Dan Wagner
danwagner0035@gmail.com
440-708-3723

Director Emeritus
Judith H. Katz
judyhkatz@aol.com
716-445-2658

Please feel free to contact any one of these Board members for more information or to share any ideas to assist with our mission.

How can I participate or contribute?

Please contact any Board member with ideas or questions.
Should you wish to donate, checks are made payable to the Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation, Inc.
c/o 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca, NY 14224.
Please spread the word about our foundation.
Please make The Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation your charity of choice on Amazon Smile. It costs you nothing. Amazon donates a small amount for each purchase you make.

Please consider our foundation as a recipient for your fundraising event.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Erie 1 BOCES Open - 7/9/2020

The Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation was fortunate to be named the recipient of the funds granted to a not for profit. $2000.

Letter Writing Campaign - 10/2020

Donations given by the following organizations or individuals:

John Percy Services LLC
Construction Exhange
Donald and Jane Ogilvie
Andrew and Stephanie Katz
Merle Goldstein
Marjorie Nobel
Dr’s Daniel and Helen Horowitz
Dr. Carole Petro
Susan Nusbaum
John Milleville
Jean Rexford
Richard Yochem
Rosemary Conley
Ms. Mary Gregory
Ms. Helene Paroff
Ms. Angela Curtis
Ms. Doreen Casacci
Susan Villiers
Lynn Fusco
Anne Spadone
Carol Barber
Nancy Bojanowski

EPEA Family Zoo Event - 5/22/2021

$500 Level

Amherst Federal Credit Union
Local Union #41, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

$250 Level

LaBella Associates
National Grid
Cavan, Dudkinski and Associates
Katz and Baehre
Leonard and Judith Katz
Melody Jason
Webster Szanyi, LLP
Elisabeth Frank ('20) and Colleen Sloan Frank
Elizabeth Angelbeck
Erie County Council of Teacher Union Presidents
P-Tech Race and BUILD Staff

$100 Level

AFSCME 10, Local 2341
Candace Reimer and Family
AFSCME Local 2567
Lancaster Central Teachers Association
Deana Fox, NYSUT
Elizabeth Vignaux, NYSUT, Professional Staff Association

Our thanks to the EPEA for their collaboration on this event.

Erie 1 BOCES Open - 7/8/2021

The Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation was fortunate to be named the recipient of the funds granted to a not for profit. $2000.

Miscellaneous Donations

Erie 1 BOCES 12 Month Employees Special Events Committee
Jane Ogilvie
PTech Staff
Alison Hyde
Kathryn Gordon
Catherine Goldman
Carol Barber
Melody Jason
Judith Katz
Nancy Bojanowski

Donald Ogilvie Memorial Teacher Mini Grant Program

The purpose of these mini grants is to promote and supplement all Erie 1 BOCES instructional programs. The Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation, Inc. will fund up to $1000. worth of proposals to BOCES classrooms in this round. No proposal is too small. Maximum award is $250. Four grants will be awarded for Spring semester. (Spring 2022)

“Donald Ogilvie served as Erie 1 BOCES District Superintendent from April of 1997 to June 2014. He is remembered for his integrity, educational leadership and community involvement, which are inherent in the mission of the Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation."

Round Four Application

Fall 2021 Implementations

Congratulations to the Winners of our First Round of Teacher Mini Grants:

Workforce Development – Kim Tomaszewski and Jenny Osburn – Supplies for Success – A deserving nursing student will be supplied with the required uniforms, blood pressure cuff, penlight, scissors and stethoscope.

Special Education – Ellen Foegen, Northtowns Academy – Knitting and Sewing through Transition – Easy sewing kits, yarn, loom and hook sets will be purchased to start a project of knitting and sewing. This project will help to develop a lifelong skill , a hobby and a coping technique.

Mary Tomczak and Andrew Behm, the Learning Center – There is no I in TEAM but there is in INTRAMURALS! The grant will provide pinnies for a new Intramural program for students K-12 during their school day.

Anne Marie Pegg, Edge Academy/CCRA – Trauma Sensitive Sensory Respite Space. This awesome space will be available to all CRA students. Items such as a bean bag chair, light curtains, sound machine and lava lamp and bubble machine will be purchased under this grant.

Alternative Education – Jaime Smith – Ceramic Program Infrastructure – The goal is to provide the infrastructure for a lasting Ceramics program at Edge Academy.

Spring 2022 Implementations

Congratulations to the following grant recipients:

$250 awarded to Kim Tomaszewski and Jenny Osburn in Workforce Development to provide a uniform and supplies for a deserving LPN student to participate in classes.
$250. awarded to Therese Floss to buy Critter and Bristlebot kits to stimulate creativity and foster the development of fine motor skills.
$250 awarded to Michael Storms at Potter CTE Center for the purchase of culinary uniforms for their stock.
$250 awarded to Dawn Bartlett, Jenn Schneider, Caitlin Simson and Marney Steinberg-Daniels to develop a safe “crash pad” area where students with sensory needs can find comfort.
$250 for Rebecca King’s submission to buy a rolling oven and blender. Students will cook and Rebecca will tie the cooking experience to academics.
$250 for the grant submitted by Kristine Ford who will create play boxes to stimulate experiences for peer and self play practice.
$250 awarded for the E1 BOCES Café project submitted by Melissa DiGuiseppe at Northtowns Academy.

Fall 2022 Implementations

Congratulations to the following Mini Grant recipients:

$250 awarded to Jenny Tomaszewski and Jenny Osborne for a subscription to Simply Nursing to supplement the LPN Nursing Program at Workforce Development.
$250 awarded to Meghan Burkowski and Marissa Wolf to implement a Trauma Sensitive Respite Space for the students at the Edge Academy.
$250 awarded to Lauren Sikora to purchase culinary equipment called sous vide as a trial to learn emerging career skills for the students at Potter Career and Tech.
$250 Awarded to Dawn Bartlett for Active/Flexible Seating to Improve Focus and Attention to Academic Lessons and Tasks for students at Maryvale.

Scholarship for Workforce Development Students

The Amherst Federal Credit Union has partnered with the Erie 1 BOCES Educational Foundation and Workforce Development in an effort to provide low-income students greater access to quality, adult education programs by offering two $600 scholarship opportunities. Successful completion of an Erie 1 BOCES Workforce Development program can lead directly to full-time employment in high-wage, in demand occupations and improve financial stability of economically disadvantaged households. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need, become members of the AFCU, and enroll in a full-time Workforce Development program. A full-time program is defined as a program greater than 100 clock hours in length. Scholarship applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. A $600 scholarship will be awarded to the first two students meeting all criteria, as stated below. Scholarships will be applied towards tuition only, after all other sources of grants or scholarships have been applied first.

For more information, Email Kim Tomaszewski.

Recipients:

Kiana Pitman “…$300 may not seem like much to some, but to me, it’s a whole paycheck, it’s a car payment, it’s a utility bill. I think one of the biggest barriers for not only myself but for aspiring students across the world is money. I have so much drive and effort waiting to be poured into not only this program but to my dream of being an Esthetician, and being awarded this scholarship would take a weight off my shoulders heavier than ever. I can’t wait to start this first step.”

Nate Wielbon “…I made the decision to enroll in the Esthetics program as a way to provide a more sound financial future for me and my children. The $300 deposit was a big commitment as it was a significant contribution to my monthly income…”

Scholarship For an Erie 1 BOCES Graduating Senior

In collaboration with the Amherst Federal Credit Union.

For the 2022 calendar year a scholarship of $750 will be awarded to two Erie 1 BOCES students who meet the following criteria

Criteria Application

Congratulations to the following graduates selected for this scholarship from the Amherst Credit Union and the E1B Foundation.

Matthew MacCarthy studied Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning at Erie 1 BOCES Potter Career Center and will be attending Alfred State University to pursue further study in HVAC.

Austin Lippert attended Erie 1 BOCES Potter Career Center and studied exercise science and will be pursuing a career in physical therapy at Mercyhurst University.