FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, July 19, 2006 … Grants awarded recently by the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation and totaling nearly $44,000 will support of a number of community initiatives, according to a statement today from Robert P. Lamprey, president.
The largest grant, in the amount of $15,000, was made to United Way of Tri-County for its annual appeal.

The sum of $8,700 awarded to the Framingham High School Foundation (FHSF) will enhance the newly renovated Performing Arts Lobby at the school with the addition of two art display cases and two flat screen televisions. The additions will showcase students’ two- and three-dimensional art, according to FHSF President Kathleen Hauck.

“Displaying art in this space shows that the Town and the school value art as a part of education and quality of life,” she said in her grant application. “It is a school committee goal to increase opportunities for all students to participate in and view art as a part of their lives and education. Creating this art-filled space serves that goal.”

The Natick Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) received $5,000 from the Charitable Foundation to help support expansion of a home telemonitoring program which enables nurses and physicians to track patients’ progress and identify and react to possible warning signs. Judith Boyko, CEO of Natick VNA, said that although the program is just over a year old, it has already proved to help patients remain healthy in their homes and significantly reduced hospitalization rates and emergency room visits.

The McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School’s “Reach for the Future” campaign received a grant of $5,000. With a goal of $150,000, the campaign is designed to support the School as it transitions to a new budgeting initiative following cuts in State public education funding.

A grant of $5,000 was awarded to MetroWest Outreach Connection to support that organization’s mission to prevent homelessness and to assist those who are homeless in their pursuit of permanent housing.

Project Just Because received a grant of $5,000 to assist in the continued growth of ongoing projects that provide basic necessities, clothing, furniture and other items to people of fixed and limited financial means in the MetroWest area.

The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation was established by the Bank in 1998 to support charitable, educational and civic purposes within the greater Framingham area.

Framingham Co-operative Bank, a state-chartered institution established in 1889, has full-service offices at 828 Concord Street and One Lincoln Street in Framingham. The Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and a member of the Share Insurance Fund (SIF).