The Blair County Philanthropy Award

Selected by a committee of community leaders based on the criteria that the recipient should be someone who has given generously of their time and money for the betterment of Blair County

2006 Recipient:  Shirley Pechter

2005 Recipient:  Gerald P. Wolf - Currently, President of the Ecumenical Conference; Chair of Wolf-Kuhn Foundation and the Central PA Community Foundation; Co-Founder of Penn Mont Academy; Board Member Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (Past President), Great Altoona Economic Development Corporation (Past President), and National Home Furnishing Association (Past President); and Chairman Emeritus of Wolf Furniture Company.  In the past, the Founding Treasurer of the Railroaders Memorial Museum, Blair County Chamber Board, American Heat Association Board, Altoona Blair County Economic Development Corporation Board, Altoona Hospital Board, Keystone Financial Board, Altoona Redevelopment Authority, Altoona Merchants Association, Downtown Altoona Rehabilitation Effort, and Altoona Catholic High School Athletic Association and Alumni Association (Past President)

2004 Recipient: The Hite Family -Members of this family have served on numerous boards and financially supported many organizations such as United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Central PA Community Foundation, Second Mile, American Cancer Society, Chamber of Commerce, Easter Seals, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Home Nursing Agency, Junior Achievement, Blair Co. Historical Society, Altoona Community Theatre, Broad Ave. Presbyterian Church, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Blair Co. Blind Association, Penn State Altoona, Altoona Planning Commission, Altoona Central Catholic, Altoona Blair County Development Corp., Central Blair Recreation Commission, many local Fire Companies and YMCA.  Grant Recipient - Big Brothers/Big Sisters

2003 Recipient: Anthony Misciagna - Financially supported such organizations as: Cornell University, Mount Aloysius College, Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children and Burn Institute; Geisinger Foundation - Children's Miracle Network; Altoona Habitat for Humanity; Marine Toys for Tots Foundation; Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; and Altoona Area School District.  Grant Recipient - Beating the Odds Foundation

2002 Recipient: Donald E. Wissinger - Financially supported:  Altoona Symphony, Altoona Community Theatre, Hollidaysburg YMCA, SAMA, United Way of Blair County and Zion Lutheran Church.  He has been involved in the community through the years as a board member for:  Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, Blair County Chamber of Commerce, Blair Concert Chorale, First Commonwealth Bank, Hollidaysburg Rotary Club, United Way and volunteered for numerous others.  Grant Recipient:  Blair County Community Endowment (Operating Fund)

2001 Recipient: G. William Ward - Served on numerous boards across our community and the state such as:  ABCD Corp.; Rotary Club of Altoona; Blair County Chamber of Commerce; United Way of Blair County; just to name a few.  Financially supported such organizations as:  United Way of Blair County; Penn State University; SAMA; and numerous others.  Grant Recipient - Altoona Symphony Orchestra.

2000 Recipient: T. Dean Lower - The Lower Trail in Williamsburg, The Lower Overlook at Chimney Rocks in Hollidaysburg, endowed a chair in the Altoona Symphony.  Grant Recipient - Friends of the Altoona Area Public Library.

Blair County Fellow

A Blair County Fellow recognizes an individual's $1,000 contribution to the Central Pennsylvania Community Endowment in their name or to honor someone else. The Blair County Fellow Award represents a commitment to the future of our community. The contribution serves two purposes. Half of the amount will be used to support the operation of the Foundation during its first five years or until the Foundation is self-sufficient. The remainder will be placed in the permanent Blair County Community Fund.

Jane Kazmaier-Lower presented by: John, Dede, & Christopher Kazmaier and Dianna & George Foord 
Ernie Wissinger presented by the Don Wissinger Family.
Irving Seltzer presented by Steve & Amy and Alex & Lisa Seltzer.
Shirley Pechter by a group of friends in honor of her 80th birthday.
John Kazmaier presented by the Leap the Dips Preservation Foundation Board of Directors.
Bud Shuster presented by the Blair County Community Endowment.
Ann Benzel presented by the William T. Benzel Family.
Fred Imler, Sr presented by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Arthur
Bobbie Miller presented by Dave Miller.
Barbara Biehner presented by a group of friends.
Allan G. Hancock presented by The Hancock Group, Inc.
Ralph W. Arthur, Jr. presented by Fred and Joann Imler
William J. Rossman presented by a group of his friends
Karry Bachtell presented in honor of over 22 years service tot he American Cancer Society by a group of her friends
Randy Cooley presented by a group of his friends
Willard E. "Bill" Campbell presented by Hoss's Executive Board and his friends at Hoss's

2003 Fellows:

Nancy Devorris presented by Don Devorris, Andrea & Michael Cohen, Colleen & Philip Devorris
Father Christian Oravec presented by a group of his friends
Leonard B. Whiting presented by Steven, Donald & David Whiting
Jodi L. Cessna presented by a group of current and past BCCE Board of Directors
John J. Wolf presented by his children Doug, Julie, Ginny, Susan & Dan for Father's Day 2003
Michael Strueber presented by a group of his friends
Barry Halbritter presented by Marlene Halbritter
Marlene Halbritter presented by Barry Halbritter
Robert Halbritter presented by Barry and Marlene Halbritter
Judith Halbritter presented by Barry and Marlene Halbritter

2004 Fellows:

Jeffery N. Binney M.D. presented by a group of his friends
Joseph P. Rosenhamer presented by his children, J. Andrew, Mary Jo, Ronald, and Joseph
Thomas A. Irwin, Jr. presented by Irwin Financial
R. Lee Hite presented in honor of his 60th birthday by Evie Hite and Gail & Mike Irwin
Donald Devorris presented in honor of his 70th birthday by Nancy Devorris, Andrea & Michael Cohen, Colleen & Philip Devorris
William G. Cale, Jr. presented by a group of the Advisory Board Members from Penn State Altoona

2005 Fellows:

Warren A. Gingrich presented by the Warren A. Gingrich Agency, Inc. in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Warren A. Gingrich Agency, Inc.

Gerald P. Wolf presented by his wife and sons and daughters for his 80th birthday

Leonard S. Fiore, Sr. presented by his family

In honor of the life of Sandra H. Martz presented by D. Stephen Martz and Stephanie A. Martz

Sister Paula DelGrosso presented by a group of her friends

Douglas J. Simon presented by a group of his friends

Judge Thomas G. Peoples, Jr. presented by the Blair County Courts

James Rosenthall presented by Audrey Rosenthall

Martin J. "Marty" Marasco presented by a group of his friends

Donald H. Brett presented by a group of his friends

Ralph J. Albarano, Jr. presented by Nona Albarano, Melissa, John, Jack & Kara Vyborny, Jodie & Ralph (RJ) Albarano III and Nancy & Don Devorris

Tera J. Heman presented by Rob & Mara and Betsy & Joe

Robert J. Lestochi presented by his children

2006 Fellows:

Katherine M. "Kate" Shaffer presented by a group of her friends

Michael Tomor presented by a group of his friends

Thomas Trexler presented by a group of his friends

James F. Saleme presented in honor of his 92nd birthday by Judy and Jerry Hymes

Peggy Leach Bailey presented by the CPCF Board Members and Staff

Lori J. Bechtel presented by a group of her friends

Hampton "Hap" Durbin presented by his sons:  Patrick, Scott and Brian and families

John E. "Jack" Eberhardt, Jr. presented by a group of his friends

Shirley E. Long

Neil Port presented by Mickey, Lisa, Malcolm, Sue, Doug, Larry, Dina and grandchildren

Randy Tarpey presented by the CPCF

Thomas C. Martin presented by a group of his friends

C. Elton Crider presented by Lois Crider