Sonora, CA…Two Tuolumne County non-profit organizations were recognized for the significant benefit they provide to our community by receiving the Irving J. Symons Award presented by the Irving J. Symons Foundation, a supporting organization of the Sonora Area Foundation. The Smile Keepers program, providing dental education, school based preventative treatment and community education for the children and families of Tuolumne County, was recognized with a $25,000 gift. Below, Smile Keepers Coordinator Erika Hagstrom-Dossi is shown with SAF Board Member Tracy Russell and SAF Program Manager Lin Freer. A second award was presented to the CHP (Children’s Holiday Party), which in 2016 celebrated their 34th year as hosts of the annual holiday party for disadvantaged children living in Tuolumne County. The CHP received a $15,000 gift from the Irving J. Symons Foundation to support the purchase of bicycles for children attending future holiday events. Shown below are CHP Committee Chair Duke York with SAF Board Members Bob Ozbirn and Dana Mayo.

Tracy Russell, Erika Hagstrom-Dossi and Lin Freer

Bob Ozbirn, Duke York and Dana Mayo

“ We have a long history of support from the Sonora Area Foundation and have successfully applied for grants in the past. However, having the Board select Smile Keepers for the Irving J. Symons Award was the best year end gift I can think of. This beautiful, generous donation will allow Smile Keepers to continue our focus of providing quality dental services in Tuolumne county for another school year. Fundraising efforts will continue but have been tremendously alleviated by this donation from Sonora Area Foundation” Erika Hagstrom-Dossi

The Irving J. Symons Award is an annual pro-active grant with recipients selected by the Sonora Area Foundation Board of Directors. Past winners include: WATCH, Interfaith, Catholic Charities and the Jamestown Family Resource Center.

The Sonora Area Foundation is a Community Foundation incorporated in 1989, commencing operations in 1990. Its mission is to strengthen our community by promoting philanthropy through assisting charitable donors, making grants to worthy projects and programs and providing leadership on local issues.

The Sonora Area Foundation, along with two supporting organizations, the Irving J. Symons Foundation for Tuolumne County and The Symons Family Fund, has assets of approximately $43 million. The Foundation holds and administers more than 170 charitable funds set up for a variety of charitable purposes and educational scholarships. The governing boards of the Foundation and supporting organizations regularly award grants that fulfill needs in Tuolumne County and exceed $23.5 million since inception.

For information on grant applications, making a donation or establishment of a donor fund, contact the Foundation at 209-533-2596 or through its website www.sonora-area.org.