The Potsdam Sandstoner Foundation and the Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation combined to raise nearly $40,000 in the recent Golden Bear/Sandstoner Foundation Face-Off 2011.

The Sandstoner Foundation reported receiving 286 donations and $19,034 during the five-week competition. The Golden Bear Education Foundation recorded 189 donations and $17,736.

“This was a fantastic effort by both Foundations and students from both school districts will be the beneficiaries,” said Sandstoner Foundation President Tim Dempsey. “I’d like to thank all the wonderful alums, community members and businesses who demonstrated their tremendous generosity and loyalty.”

“We received an impressive number of donations from alumni who now live outside of the North Country,” said Golden Bear Education Foundation President Evan Poole. "It was wonderful to get in touch with those people, as well as our local alums, and have them re-invest in the future of our kids and community.”

Both Foundations report increased exposure and alumni involvement through the challenge. While many alumni are frequently charitable toward their colleges and universities, the opportunity to impact and support the K-12 school districts they attended is still new to many alumni. The increased donor base will benefit both the Potsdam and Canton Foundations for many years to come.

The Sandstoner Foundation, established in 2000, has provided more than $170,000 in awards and scholarships to graduating seniors at Potsdam High School who are continuing their education by attending college or entering the military. The Sandstoner Foundation has 23 named scholarships and awards which are given out each year and are funded by generous contributions made by families, friends, and community members.

The Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation was established in 2008 to accept and administer gifts for charitable purposes, providing enrichment and enhancement of education programs and opportunities for students, by securing and distributing financial and other resources for the Canton Central School District and its students. Donations can be targeted directly to areas such as academics, arts and music, athletics and extracurricular activities, or unrestricted funds.

To learn more about either Foundation, visit their websites at:

http://www.potsdam.k12.ny.us/sandstonerfoundation/

http://www.gbfound.org/

Both foundations continue to accept donations.

Donors wishing to send a gift via check to the Sandstoner Foundation can mail it to: Potsdam Sandstoner Foundation, PO Box 264, Potsdam, NY 13676.

Donors wishing to send a gift via check to the Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation can mail it to: Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation, PO Box 174, Canton, NY 13617.