The G.L. Vitale Family Foundation has awarded a total of $115,000 to three community organizations with varied ways to serve the Knox County community.
The Galesburg Symphony Center will provide music instruction and more, the Knox County YMCA will put the donation toward a PlayZone, and CASA of West Central Illinois will continue its mission of helping abused and neglected children in the court system.
After receiving a $50,000 donation, Lucas Wood, executive director of the Knox Galesburg Symphony, said the gift will bring the organization a step further in funding their “Music for the Future” Capital Campaign, which supports the first phase of renovations in the development of the Symphony Center on Seminary Street.
“The commitment, dedication, and support from the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation will be experienced and heard for generations to come as we all work together to build community one note at a time through live classical music,” Wood said.
Jeanne Harland, Symphony Board of Directors President, said in a news release, “This gift, and hopefully others like it, will enable us to transform the rich history of the Knox Galesburg Symphony into an even more relevant and engaging future for classical music. Indeed, that transformation is well underway with performances of both traditional and new music, outreach programs in area schools, and music students of all ages already learning in state-of-the art studios at the new Symphony Center.
“The G.L. Family Foundation believes in what we are doing in creating a welcoming place for people to LEARN, PERFORM, and INSPIRE.”
The Knox County Family YMCA has received $50,000 towards construction of a new PlayZone that will offer families an indoor play space that can be used year-round. The project also will involve renovating the old Childwatch space into a teen lounge.
“It brings us closer to bringing a safe place in Knox County where children can play freely for generations to come,” said Adam Sampson, CEO of the Knox County YMCA. “It will lift the capacity burden off the current Childwatch space and allow more families the ability to come to the YMCA and tend their health and wellness needs while children are in a safe environment.”
CASA of West Central Illinois has received $15,000 from the foundation to help the organization hire a volunteer recruiter who would be responsible for recruiting a minimum of 20 new volunteers so the organization can serve more children.
“We are currently serving 145 children in foster care in Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties; however, there are over 140 children waiting for a volunteer CASA to provide best-interest, educational, and health and well-being advocacy,” said Kelly Radeke, executive director.
“Each CASA volunteer typically serves one family set made up of one to six or more children. Our goal is to serve 100% of children in foster care, as we believe all children deserve a voice in court as well as the opportunity for a safe and permanent home.”
Since 2011 the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation has awarded more than $1.2 million to community organizations in Knox County.
“We are fortunate to have the ability to help our community in a variety of ways,” said Andrea Vitale, foundation president. “We are an independent foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Knox County residents in the areas of education, arts and culture, beautification, recreation, and health and wellness.”
