The F.F. Thompson Foundation has awarded $30,000 in Mary Clark Thompson Grants to 18 area not-for-profit organizations, supporting projects tied to health, wellness, emergency services, food access and community programming across Thompson Health's service area.
The foundation, the philanthropic arm of UR Medicine Thompson Health, said the grants ranged from $500 to $2,500 and were awarded after review by its grants committee.
This year's recipients include Bridges for Brain Injury Inc., which received support for adaptive and safety-focused tools for a cooking and baking life-skills training program, as well as ServSafe training and certification for staff.
Canandaigua Emergency Squad received funding toward an updated transport ventilator to replace an aging LTV-1200, while the Canandaigua Fire Department received support for an adult-sized mannequin for internal training and possible use with neighboring fire and EMS departments.
The Clifton Springs YMCA received funding for equipment and supplies for strength, mobility and low-impact fitness classes, along with health education materials on chronic disease prevention. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County received support for activity kits at 4-H Camp Bristol Hills, including Nine-Square in the Air, volleyball, pickleball, disc golf and cornhole.
Family Promise of Ontario County received funding to help cover first-year operating costs tied to the opening of the Shill Family Center in Canandaigua. The Friends of Newark Public Library received support to buy an automated external defibrillator.
Other grants will support direct patient care through Geneseo Parish Outreach, emergency meal service needs at Gleaners Community Kitchen, food and personal care items at Groveland Food Pantry, adaptive equipment for Happiness House adult programs in Canandaigua, and Mercy Flight Central's whole blood project.
Middlesex Valley Volunteer Ambulance Service received funding for video laryngoscope units and compatible blades. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park received support for garden supplies, with vegetables, herbs and flowers grown there to support Gleaners Community Kitchen.
Spot Canandaigua Inc. received funding for food distribution to enrolled families and emergency access by school staff. The Salvation Army received support for senior center programming costs in Canandaigua, Thrive to Survive received funding for art supplies and local artist-led cancer support group activities, and Wood Library received support for bus passes, hygiene kits, teen programming supplies and outreach materials for The Hub at the library.
Mary Clark Thompson founded F.F. Thompson Hospital in 1904 in memory of her husband, Frederick Ferris Thompson. Applications for the community health grants are due each spring, according to the foundation.
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