2025-2026 Annual Community Report
Impact That Moves Our Community Toward a Healthier Future
A Message from 1889 Foundation President
The 1889 Foundation’s impact this year reflects the power of partnership, community investment, and a shared commitment to that future. Through its funding priorities, 1889 supports early childhood development, advances medical education and training, strengthens resiliency, and addresses mental health and other challenges that affect overall well-being. Across these areas, 1889 continues to invest in the people and organizations making a meaningful impact throughout our communities. These efforts are about more than funding programs; they’re about bringing people together, creating opportunities, and helping good ideas become lasting solutions. While there is still work ahead, the progress made this year is a reminder of what’s possible when we listen, collaborate, and work toward a common goal of building a stronger community for generations to come.
Susan Mann
PresidentTotal Grants Distributed for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Representing 58 Organizations
+ $4.6 M leveraged funding
Funding Priorities
Population
Health
Childhood
Development
Medical Education
& Training
Organizations Impacted by 1889 Foundation
Population Health Impacts
Outdoor Odyssey – Mindful Pause
Through its support of Outdoor Odyssey, the 1889 Foundation is helping strengthen mental fitness, resiliency, and personal well-being throughout the community. Programs like Mindful Pause give participants opportunities to step away from daily pressures, reconnect with themselves, and develop tools to better navigate life’s challenges. By investing in experiences that promote resilience and mental wellness, 1889 helps individuals build skills that can benefit them long after the program ends.
Laurel Highlands Alzheimer’s Foundation
Through its support of the Laurel Highlands Alzheimer’s Foundation, the 1889 Foundation helps provide respite care for families caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Funding supports up to 20 hours of respite care per month, giving caregivers time to rest, manage other responsibilities, and care for their own well-being. This investment helps ease the challenges families face while allowing loved ones to remain supported within their communities.
Women’s Help Center
The 1889 Foundation supports the Women’s Help Center in providing emergency shelter and essential resources for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence. Through its investment, the organization can offer safety, stability, case management, housing resources, healthcare connections, and support for those working toward independence. This partnership helps ensure that vulnerable community members have access to the services and support they need to move forward and build safer futures.
Hosanna Industries
Through its support of Hosanna Industries, the 1889 Foundation is helping bring meaningful home repairs to Johnstown residents like Evelyn Cassandra. By providing essential funding for materials, transportation, and on-site work, 1889 helps make projects like Evelyn’s new siding possible. But the impact extends beyond improving a home’s exterior. It’s about restoring pride, preserving dignity, and bringing joy to a longtime community member who has spent years giving to others. Through this partnership, Hosanna Industries and the 1889 Foundation are helping build a stronger community, one home at a time.
Penn Highlands Community College
Through its investment in Penn Highlands Community College culinary scholarships, the 1889 Foundation is helping students pursue educational opportunities and prepare for careers in the culinary field. Financial assistance can ease barriers to education, allowing students to focus on developing the skills and experience needed to enter the workforce. This support reflects 1889’s commitment to strengthening the local workforce, expanding opportunity, and helping build a stronger future for the region
Childhood Development Impacts
Beginnings Incorporated
Through its support of Beginnings Incorporated, the 1889 Foundation helps strengthen families and promote healthy early childhood development. Programs such as Parents as Teachers connect families with trained educators who provide guidance, developmental resources, and encouragement during a child’s earliest years. By supporting parents and identifying developmental needs early, this partnership helps children build strong foundations for learning while giving families the tools and confidence to navigate important milestones.
The Learning Lamp
Through its support of The Learning Lamp, the 1889 Foundation is helping strengthen early childhood education by investing in resources and improvements that support children, educators, and families. Funding has helped provide curriculum, security cameras, playground improvements at Admiral Peary, and other essential resources across Learning Lamp programs. These investments help create safer, more engaging learning environments where children can grow and develop. By supporting early education and the organizations that deliver it, 1889 is investing in the next generation and the long-term health of the community.
Cambria County Backpack Project
The 1889 Foundation supports the Cambria County Backpack Project in its mission to reduce childhood hunger by ensuring children across the county have access to nutritious food when school meals are unavailable. Serving approximately 600 children each week, the program provides weekend food assistance to families facing food insecurity, helping students return to school ready to learn. Through 1889’s financial support, the Backpack Project can purchase food, meet growing community needs, and ensure children receive assistance without delay. Featuring Executive Director Kristen Villarrial and program participant Lisa Mendoza and her daughter, Mia, this story highlights both the countywide impact of the initiative and the meaningful difference it makes for individual families. Lisa’s journey from a parent relying on the program to becoming a board member reflects the lasting impact of community support and the power of investing in the well-being of local children.
Medical Education and Training Impacts
Southern Alleghenies EMS
The 1889 Foundation is helping strengthen emergency medical services across the region through its support of Southern Alleghenies EMS and a $120,000 mobile training unit. This investment expands access to hands-on training opportunities for emergency responders, helping them develop and maintain the skills needed to serve their communities. By supporting medical education and workforce development, 1889 is contributing to a stronger emergency response system and better-prepared providers throughout the region.
2025-2026 Donors
The contributors listed in this publication made donations between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Every effort has been made to acknowledge your generosity completely and correctly. We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions that may have occurred. Please Contact Debbie Costlow at 814-532-0100 Ext. 2 if you have any questions or concerns.
- AmeriServ Financial Inc.
- Colleen F. Andreyo
- Anthony Bell Living Trust #
- Dr. and Mrs. George S. Ashman
- Mark A. Badaczewski
- Becky Barefoot
- Larry and Dorothy Beamer
- Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Becker
- Brian and Maryellen Belz
- Marie S. Bernard
- William H. Beute, MD
- Mary P. Borkow
- Thomas Bremer #
- Maryann Brett
- Judith Brewer
- Beth and David Burkett
- Bonnie S. Cabo
- Tracy A. Carmean
- Brenda Cassol-Turous
- Sam and Lisa Catanese #
- Thomas and Dorothy Causer
- Jeffrey and Kristen Cerula
- Rosemarie Christ
- Kristy and Robert Chunta
- Gary and Debra Costlow
- Teri A. Cruse
- Kathleen E. DeFrehn
- Dawn M. Drahnak
- Marcella Duffy-Dukery and Brian Dukery
- Dr. Russell D. Dumire
- Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dunnington
- Anne Earle
- Grace A. Emert
- Emma Clyde Hodge* Memorial Fund #
- EPIC
- Barbara and Joseph Evans
- Robert Flora* #
- Flornell Wirick Resley Ferrier Trust #
- Deborah Foust
- Carmen and Mark Fox
- Frances H. & Harold E. Gordon Charitable Foundation
- Karen L. Fritsche* #
- Dr. and Mrs. Reynaldo T. Gannon #
- Gerheim Trust #
- James and Heather Gides
- Dolores Gindlesperger
- Dorothy Glass
- Lisa Golden, MD
- Edwin H. Gordon
- Kathy and Leonard Gorzelsky
- Christine Gredesky
- Robert J. Grimm #
- Theresa and Ronald Gritzer
- John and Colleen Hanes #
- Deborah Hegedus
- Patricia Huber-Smith and Robert Smith
- Barbara Irvin
- Art Martynuska
- Karen Kearney
- Joyce A. Kelly, RN, MA #
- Sally A. Kline
- Greer Koeller
- The Honorable Norman A. Krumenacker, III
- Barbara Laslo
- Karen Loeffler
- Nancy Love
- Eric S. Ludy
- Mike and Debbie Lynch
- Mary Lynn and David Mahla
- G. Timothy and Susan M. Mann
- Nancy G. Marano
- Joan Martin
- Dr. Jessica and Brian Masser
- Mr. and Mrs. Samuel P. McClure
- Patricia M. McCullough
- Jeannine and Douglas McMillan
- Bonnie McNeely-Rowe, MD
- Verrona Mellott
- Meyersdale Chapter Order Of The Eastern Star
- Melanie and Bryon Mihelec
- Steven and Stephanie Miles
- Lisa M. Miller
- Owen K. Morgan, MD
- Laurel Summit National Ski Patrol
- Wallace Nestor #
- Jenny Novak
- Mr. and Mrs. Barry Orner
- Carol Osgood
- Dianne O’Shea
- George and Janice Ozimok
- Pamela Panarella
- Roxane Panarella and Curtis Diaz
- Jason C. Panek
- Gene and Patty Pavlikowski
- Scott E. Pearson
- Lynn Penniman
- Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
- Richard and Anne Marie Pidutti
- Judy L. Porter
- Susan and Richard Povich
- Mr. Eric and Lauren Presser, Esq.
- Brenda M. Punako
- Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ramirez
- Retired Nurses Association
- Michelle and Ronald Rhoads
- Paul A. Rollins, MD
- Renae and David Roman
- Mr. and Mrs. David Rosendale
- Jacalyn M. Sandak * Estate #
- Christine and Michael Schreyer
- Second Chance Fundraising
- Michele M. Serafin
- Patricia Serotkin
- Anita C. Shaffer
- Jean Shaffer
- Melissa Shaffer
- Ryan Shawley
- Dr. and Mrs. Kamran Shayesteh
- Kimberly Shearman
- Debra Sheesley
- John Smaila
- Gretchen R. Smajda
- Charles and Jeanne Spencer, MD
- Thomas Sprague
- Melinda Stohon
- Jeffrey and Sandy Stopko
- Sherry Strashensky
- Edna Strayer #
- David and Margaret Sutor
- Mary Ann and Alan Sutt
- Patricia J. Thomas
- Ronald J. Tiffany
- Charlene T. and Frank A. Trimeloni
- Drs. Edward and Ruth Trondsen Pawlowski
- Cheri R. Verbano
- Pamela Vyhonsky
- John and Dianne Wainwright
- Dr. Saba Waseem and Mr. Imran Quershi
- Susan L. Williams, MD
- Alanna Wilson and Dr. Daniel Lovette
- Kristy L. Wilson
- Michaeleen N. Wilson, DO
- Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wingard
- Dr. and Mrs. Richard S. Wozniak
- Dorothy Yauneridge
- Lisa and Phillip Zdunczyk
- Dr. Kevin Zitnay
*Denotes deceased
# Indicates Clara Barton Society Member. The Clara Barton Society recognizes patrons who have had the wisdom and foresight to have their financial and estate plans in order and have included 1889 Foundation in their estate planning with a planned gift by will, trust, or gift annuity. The wishes of contributors who want to remain anonymous are always respected.
Honor/Memorials
Gifts in Remembrance of:
- Wilbur M. Ashman
- Dr. Magdi Azer
- Audrey Lee Babich
- Zachary A. Becker
- Zeke and Matilda Hoy Blozevich
- Joel E. Borkow, MD
- Lucas M. Chunta
- Scott Freeman
- Charles A. Getty Esq.
- Audrey Hargreaves Bearer
- David A. Himlin
- Hunter Charles Huston
- Elmer Laslo
- Josephine Sara Panarella Licastro
- Loved Ones
- O’Shea and Paruch Families
- Louise Pfister Fritsche
- Mildred Povich
- Dr. Robert and Betty Pringle
- Kenneth W. Rowe, MD
- Helen McGowan Rubisch
- Robert Joseph Serotkin
- Carlo and Stefania Smaila
- Laurie L. Smith
- Peggy Tiffany
- Lois M. Tomb
- Karen Walker Stringent
- Rowena M. Witt
Gifts in Honor of:
- Tom Causer
- James Hargreaves
To everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you for believing in 1889 Foundation and helping us to make a difference in our communities.
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