POTSDAM -- Salvatore and Lisa Cania of Hannawa Falls have established The Cania Family Endowment in support of programs presented by Community Performance Series, in honor of the organization's 25th anniversary.

This fund will yield income that will be used to sponsor an annual music concert and programming with students.

"We believe that the North Country is a special place to offer families a variety of cultural experiences, and CPS has been a valued resource for over 25 years," said Sal Cania '79, who founded the performing arts series. "Lisa and I hope that our gift will perpetuate concerts by visiting artists and their connection to local schools and community groups, events that our family loved to attend and that we want all families to enjoy."

CPS is a partnership with SUNY Potsdam that offers year-round music, music theatre and dance performances throughout the region. Sal Cania is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, and worked at Crane for 20 years, before serving first at St. Lawrence University and now Clarkson University. Lisa's career began at SUNY Potsdam; she joined St. Lawrence University in 1987. Their children, Sal III and Emily, grew up in Potsdam and enjoyed access to performing arts activities.

As executive director for the organization's first 11 years, and as an advisory board member for the past 14 years, Sal has worked to establish and grow several such named endowments, which provide financial stability and are utilized annually to offset the cost associated with artist fees.

"Each year, CPS sees audiences of more than 8,500 through the Guest Artist Series, Meet the Arts programs for school children and the summer musicals,” said Amy Flack, executive director. “It takes the combined generosity of all our donors to make these events possible. Landmark gifts like the endowment created by Sal and Lisa help an organization like ours in a special way, because these funds represent guaranteed income each year. This gift also represents a level of commitment to CPS that speaks straight to the heart of our mission of service to the people of the North Country. Through their words and actions, the Cania family has been CPS' longest and most steadfast supporter."

For more information about giving to CPS, contact Amy Flack at 267-2412.