SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund (ATCCF/Community Fund) announced its independent advisory committee has awarded Lend-A-Hand Grants to 37 local nonprofit organizations. 

Since 2012, Lend-A-Hand Grants have been awarded annually using community funds from ATCCF’s annual Autumn of Giving Match Campaign. Because of the economic stresses COVID-19 has placed on businesses and individuals, the Adirondack Trust Company fully funded this year’s grant efforts, donating $77,000 in lieu of the typical Match Campaign.

“There was absolutely no question when it came to funding this year’s grants,” said Adirondack Trust Company President and CEO Charles V. Wait, Jr., in a statement. “Ensuring the Community Fund’s perpetuation and its ability to assist so many incredible nonprofits was a top priority, but the best part is that, even though the community didn’t have to donate this year, so many did.”

Lend-A-Hand Grants help local nonprofits throughout Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties obtain critical funding for a diverse spectrum of needs: combatting food insecurity, improving living conditions, providing medical supplies and personal protective equipment, and more.

Recipients of the awards and remarks can be viewed at atccf.org/2020-grants.

BALLSTON SPA — In November, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors voted on a $250,000 matching grant to the Saratoga County Agricultural Society, to rebuild the grandstand at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. 

SCAS is in the process of finalizing its plans and fundraising to raise the matching funds for the project. 

For more information or to make a donation, contact the Saratoga County Fair office at 518-885-9701 or email susan@saratogacountyfair.org

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Beyond My Battle (BMB), a Saratoga-based nonprofit providing emotional support to those managing illness or disability and their caregivers, was named as a recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Arnold Cogswell Health Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

“Those managing any kind of illness or disability, be it as patient or caregiver, are working with limited energy, time, and perhaps mobility. Our offerings at Beyond My Battle are not only great for coping with the stress and sadness of diagnosis, but they are also extremely accessible. People can access our services from the comfort and safety of their home – which is important for this community with or without the presence of COVID,” said Executive Director, Martel Catalano, in a statement.

Among the programs the grant will support are BMB’s weekly virtual support groups, to which there is a group for caregivers and one for patients living with any kind of physical illness, disease, or disability (www.beyondmybattle.org/support-groups). Funding will also support the addition of more e-books and art-based tools to BMB’s online toolkit in an effort to bring more therapeutic strategies to their community. 

Beyond My Battle (BMB) is a Saratoga-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping people reduce the stress of serious illness, rare disease, and disability. Through emotional support and educational resources rooted in mindfulness, awareness, and compassion, BMB works to cultivate emotional awareness and provide an engaged, resilient approach to life with health-related uncertainty. To learn more about BMB, visit www.beyondmybattle.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga PLAN has been named recipient of two Conservation Partnership Program grants awarded by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in coordination with the Land Trust Alliance.

The $52,200 in grants will be used to support trail maintenance and protection of natural resources.

A $36,000 Capacity Grant will be used for trail maintenance projects, allowing for the unveiling of new trails, like newly opened Barkersville Trails, and those waiting in the wings, like Glowegee Creek and the Sarah B. Foulke Friendship Trails.

A $16,200 Transactional Grant will be used to officially close out the conservation process for Burke Forest, a gorgeous 80 acres property known locally as Irish Hill.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Wellspring, the domestic violence and sexual assault services resource for Saratoga and Washington County residents, welcomes Talia Cass to the organization as the new communications director. Cass comes to Wellspring with more than 6 years of experience in communications and marketing. 

As communications director, Cass will be responsible for disseminating the Wellspring brand, educating the public on the complexities of relationship and sexual abuse and promoting the many crucial services the organization provides survivors. Additionally, she will champion Wellspring’s community engagement effort, which includes facilitating educational programs with Saratoga county school-aged youth and adults. 

Cass, a 2014 College of Saint Rose graduate, most recently served as an account strategist for Overit Media in Albany. Prior to Overit, she worked with multiple non-profit organizations including Discover Saratoga (also known as the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau) and Proctors. During her time as a director of marketing and communications for Discover Saratoga in 2017, Cass began volunteering with Wellspring as part of their community engagement committee. She is passionate about ending domestic violence and sexual assault in our community and advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. 

Wellspring’s mission is to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Each year, Wellspring’s crisis intervention and survivor services support more than 1,000 clients—providing safe housing to adults and children either fleeing or homeless because of domestic violence, as well as comprehensive support in the form of counseling, legal advocacy, and case management. Wellspring staff provides prevention and education programs to school-aged youth, as well as training and education programs for parents, faith-based congregations and professional organizations. 

 To learn more about Wellspring’s mission, services and programs, visit www.wellspringcares.org, call their office at 518-583-0280 or reach their hotline at 518-584-8188. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —After nine years in downtown Saratoga, Equitas Realty has moved to a new location at The Wilton Mall. According to broker/owner, Janet Besheer “The Covid pandemic created a ‘new normal’ for real estate. It forced us to embrace technology at a high level in order keep clients and agents safe. As a result, we learned we not only could succeed remotely, but succeed at an even higher level.” The Equitas Realty and Equitas Realty Management offices are now located at 3065 Route 50, Suite 59, Saratoga Springs, inside the entrance between Home Goods and Healthy Living Market. 

“The Wilton Mall offers an opportunity to take advantage of the changing face of malls around the country that are transforming from retail-only to becoming microcosms of the community. We are enjoying the visibility, abundant parking, ample security and plenty of room to be socially distant,” says Besheer. “Equitas Realty is looking forward to seeing and serving members of the Saratoga community at our new location.”

For more on Equitas Realty visit www.equitasny.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Adirondack Trust Company has once again secured a 5-Star rating from Bauerfinancial, the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm. 

A five-star rating indicates that the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 58 consecutive quarters puts Adirondack Trust in the most prestigious bracket as an Exceptional Performance Bank.

Bauerfinancial, Inc., based in Coral Gables, Florida, is the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt-out of a BAUERFINANCIAL rating. Star ratings are all available for free at bauerfinancial.com.

The Adirondack Trust Company is an independent, locally-owned and operated, community bank offering a wide variety of business and personal financial services. The bank has more than $1.4 billion in assets and 13 branch offices. The bank’s website is AdirondackTrust.com.

ALBANY — Uber announced Dec. 9 the launch of its new delivery service, Uber Connect, throughout upstate New York, allowing residents to easily send packages to others nearby. 

The company says the service will especially help those who are social distancing. Uber Connect allows users to send a broad range of items from their homes in a cost effective, same-day, no-contact manner. 

Users can send a wide range of items by simply requesting “Uber Connect” in their Uber app. This option is currently available in more than 25 cities in Australia, Mexico and the United States. Connect is part of Uber’s effort to look beyond food and grocery transportation, and to provide on-demand and scheduled last-mile delivery solutions for consumers and businesses alike. 

Here’s how it works: customers open their Uber app and look for the “Connect” option on their home screen. Once they select Connect they input the pickup and dropoff location and confirm the request. An Uber driver will then come to their house, pick up the package and deliver it for them. Connect was built to provide a contactless experience. Customers simply meet their delivery person at the curb after a request is booked, carefully deposit their delivery items in the vehicle and track the package as they would an Uber trip.

More information about Uber Connect can be found at uber.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As winter weather forces outdoor diners indoors, and reduced capacity cuts into profits, area restaurants are scrambling to stay afloat.

Some area restaurants have made the tough decision to close for the winter months, with plans to reopen in Spring. One of those is Saratoga Springs long-time staple, Hattie’s Chicken Shack. They announced they will be closing for January and February. Hattie’s Chicken Shack in Wilton will remain open.

Joining Hattie’s is Prime at Saratoga National, Dunning Street Station, and Carson’s Woodside Tavern.

A recent post on Druthers Facebook page announced they are making major upgrades to their outdoor space to maintain outdoor dining during the winter.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stewart’s Holiday Match funds – which are collected from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day in each of the company’s 338 shops – had garnered more than over $320,000 customer donations through Sunday, Dec. 6, resulting in over $640,000 with the Stewart’s match.   

These donations stay local and fund local nonprofits; funding may go to a virtual library program, keeping the shelves stocked at the local food pantry or helping hungry kids at school. 

The Stewart’s Holiday Match Program has no administrative fees and donates 100% of donations received to charities in their market areas. The company matches each donation dollar for dollar and has been doing so for the past 34 years, raising over $30 million for local charities. 

Local children’s organizations are encouraged to apply for funding online at stewartsshops.com. The deadline for submission is Jan. 31, 2021. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization.