BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Air Products and the Northern New York Community Foundation have awarded two grants to North Country organizations totaling $10,500.

According to Air Products officials, the funds are part of the second round of grants from the Air Products Greater Massena Community Fund.

"We're glad to have the opportunity to assist in meeting the needs of local organizations," said Trip Oliver, Director of Government and Community Affairs at Air Products. “We recognize there are many local organizations doing valuable work in the Massena community and we want to support as many as possible. We look forward to extending the reach of our contributions to help make a positive impact on the community’s success for years to come.”

The first grant, for $6,736, has been awarded to the Massena Public Library to support the establishment of a Memory Café which will provide a "safe and engaging space for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers."

The funds will be used to purchase materials and resources to enhance cognitive engagement and socialization, including books, activities, puzzles and games designed to stimulate brain activity, foster conversation and promote multi-generational interaction, officials said.

The second grant, totaling $3,750, has been awarded to the Northern TRIBS Swimming Inc. organization to expand access to swimming lessons by offering scholarships to families facing economic hardship and providing staff training in water safety protocols.

Launched in May 2024 through a $50,000 grant from the Air Products Foundation, the Greater Massena Community Fund aims to improve the quality of life for residents in the Greater Massena community, officials said.

The inaugural round of funding granted a combined total of $32,500 to The Holistic Life Foundation; The Salvation Army of Massena; The Massena Arts and Theater Association; The Police Activities League of Massena; and Massena Hospital to contribute to projects supporting education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and human services.

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