POTSDAM -- Ten non-profit organizations and educational institutions will receive thousands of dollars in donations from the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund.

The funds are part of the Northern New York Community Foundation which strives to strengthen the quality of life across the county, officials say.

The Priority Wellness Campaign will receive $10,000 to expand mental health services for first responders in St. Lawrence County. Programming provides peer support, counseling, and seminars, seeking to break the stigma around mental health challenges among first responders.

Potsdam's Bayside Cemetery Association will receive $5,000 to support an arboreal conservation project that will address the declining health of mature trees within the cemetery grounds, ensure safety, foster wildlife habitats, and enhance the well-being of residents. The project is uniquely aligned with the conservation focus area of the Badenhausen Legacy Fund, officials say.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County will receive $5,000 to bring the Celebrating Community, Family, and Food Cooking Series to St. Lawrence County residents. The program tackles nutritional education while addressing health concerns across various age groups in the community. Grant funding will support a series of workshops open to everyone, regardless of income, that focus on vital life skills related to food preparation, budgeting, and parenting around meals.

The Edwards Arts Council will receive $5,000 to present “The Barb Heller Variety Show,” which will bring local performers together for an evening of talent-sharing and community engagement at the historic venue.

For La Presentation Association in Ogdensburg will receive $5,000 to help expand the Abbe’ Picquet Trail onto Van Rensselaer Point, connecting it to a newly installed bridge and developing a trail system onto an adjacent island. The initiative seeks to enhance recreational opportunities and promote the region’s historical significance.

The St. Lawrence Arts Council in Canton will receive $5,000 to support the Ives Park Concert Series that will run four Saturdays in August and culminate during the North Country Arts Festival, a four-day festival leading up to Labor Day weekend. Grant funding will help secure performers, sound engineering, and cover movie fees for a screening.

Traditional Arts in Upstate New York in Canton will also receive $5,000, which will support “Fiddling with Traditions,” a program that aims to engage five St. Lawrence County K-8 schools through live traditional music concerts followed by hands-on workshops.

The Potsdam Humane Society will receive $4,195 to help present a zoology summer camp in collaboration with the North Country Children’s Museum, and SUNY Potsdam’s biology department. The camp is open to up to 14 students, ages 6 to 10, and aims to strengthen their understanding of domestic and wildlife species, pet care strategies and wildlife conservation. The program addresses declining science exam performance and public health concerns related to pet care.

Potsdam's PCS Music Friends will receive $2,000 to address the need for a more inclusive and contemporary music education program through a new modern band class at Potsdam High School. Funding will support purchase of instruments and professional development for a music teacher.

Brasher Falls Central School District will receive $1,000 to support the High School Robotics Club, which engages students in the First Tech Challenge Robotics League. The program fosters student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Funding will help with an advisor’s salary, supplies, and associated costs for the club.