by Bea Peterson
On Wednesday evening Reynolds Foundation Board members Norma Brenenstuhl, Jim Monahan, Armand Rousseau and Bill Shiland presented checks to a dozen Hoosick and Hoosick Falls organizations at the Miller Museum.
[private]In reading a brief history of Edith Craig Reynolds (1877-1971), Hoosick Town Historian Phil Leonard noted that her fantastic generosity was due to her late husband’s money, not her own. There was no doubt however, of her generosity. Old newspaper clippings show gifts of $22,000 for a fire truck, $5,000 to the Rescue Squad, $5,000 for the Little League Memorial Park and a $15,000 matching pledge toward the Town pool. Leonard said he recalled working with her on that project and many others.
During her lifetime she established the Reynolds Foundation which annually gives funds to local organizations to this day. When she died, a scholarship fund was established granting four year scholarships to students from Rensselaer County. Board Member Shiland told the recipients attending the presentation that the Board appreciates all that they do for the community and that Mrs. Reynolds lives on through what they do.
It was also noted that the Foundation has given enormous financial help to the Hoosick Soccer Field. Just last year, in appreciation of that help, the road to the field was named Reynolds Way, in her honor. Which is all the more appropriate because the road exists in her own back yard.
Reynolds Foundation recipients this year and those receiving the checks were Carol Gaillard for the Town of Hoosick Community Band and the Cheney Library Children’s Reading Program, Phil Leonard for the Town of Hoosick Historical Society, Dianne Hosterman for the Hoosick Area Church Association Food Pantry, Joyce Brewer for the Hoosick Falls Girl Scout Service Program, Marion Stevens for the Hoosick Falls Girl Scout Day Camp, Jim Monahan for the Hoosick Area Youth Center & Community Coalition, Eleanor Calhoun for the Wood Park Residents Association, David Kipp for the Town of Hoosick Baseball/Softball League and Norma Brenenstuhl for the Reynolds Foundation to hold in reserve. Other recipients were St. Mary’s Academy and the Hoosick Falls Senior Center.
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