Fulton Block Builders has been selected as a 2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!

Fulton Block Builders (FBB), on behalf of the newly formed Fulton Garden Club is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive a 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant. We are one of only 310 grantees selected out of 3,600+ applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

With this quick-action grant we will be making improvements to the Fulton east side gazebo where Junes in Tunes are held as well as many other community events. The Fulton Garden Club, in conjunction with the City of Fulton Parks and Recreation department identified this area as one that, if improved, would be a great asset to the city. This project will create a community garden by turning a neglected gazebo into a showpiece of Fulton’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Volunteers will plant flowers, weed and water, paint the gazebo and display colorful banners. The project also launches a Fulton Garden Club, an all-volunteer group dedicated to beautifying public spaces. With strong support from seniors, many with a lifetime of gardening experience, the Club will restore pride in our city by improving existing garden spaces.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected Fulton Block Builders for this investment to make the City of Fulton more livable for residents of all ages,” stated Linda Eagan, FBB Director. “AARP is a nationwide leader in making communities more livable and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our area.”

About the Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge grant program funds innovative, quick-action projects that inspire change in areas such as public places; housing; transportation; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital connections; community resilience; and more. With additional funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its investment in projects that improve mobility innovation and transportation options.

This is all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the projects being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation, including all 310 granted projects this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s Livable Communities work at aarp.org/livable.

Shineman Foundation Awards Fulton Block Builders Matching $125,000 Grant for 2023 Block Challenge Program.

“We did it, Fulton! Once again, you came through to support the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program,” said Linda Eagan, FBB Director. “FBB has received the full $125,000 matching grant from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation presented at the FBB Kick Off Dinner on June 7th at River Vista.”

The Richard S. Shineman Foundation’s vision is to act as a “catalyst for change” to enhance the quality of life in Oswego County and Shineman’s Foundation Director Chena Tucker shared that the foundation’s board members are very encouraged by the increasing and unprecedented collaborations they see happening among groups like the Fulton Block Builders in our communities. “Fulton Block Builders has continued to exceed expectations for its very successful Healthy Neighborhoods revitalization program and our foundation is proud to continue its support of FBB by awarding another $125,000 for its Block Challenge program,” she said.

“From the moment we started the FBB program, I have been amazed at the support and care there is for the Fulton community,” said Eagan. “Fulton businesses, individuals, service groups and, of course, the Richard S. Shineman Foundation all contributed to make what I believe will be our best year yet. As a result, in 2023, FBB has been able to make 169 awards in 21 Blocks throughout the city. The support for the program is fantastic. Since our start in 2017, The Shineman Foundation has awarded FBB $866,000. WOW!”

FBB awards grants to community participants in three different ways. Block Challenge grants are awarded to groups of neighbors who come together and complete an application as a block. It is important that the neighbors involved be in close proximity to one another, share resources and plan celebratory events. Anyone in the city can organize their neighbors each year. FBB encourages neighbors to start talking to each other now about applying for next year’s Block Challenge Grants.

A second grant option often involves groups that have completed a Block Challenge grant who then go on to apply for a Pride Grant. Pride Grants are used for community improvements and can range from $100 to $3,000. This year, FBB Pride Grants will be used to support the exciting Porchfest being planned for July 9, support work on our local churches, install benches on popular walking routes, and install welcome signs to neighborhoods in the city. Pride grants can be applied for at any time during the year.

The third grant opportunity is Paint Fulton grants; seven have been awarded for 2023. These provide Fulton residents with a selection of historic color schemes to use for painting their homes. Awards are $500 and can be combined with the Block Challenge awards.

The Richard S. Shineman Foundation presents Fulton Block Builders with a donation. From left to right are FBB volunteers Ann Casey, Linda Eagan, Penny Halstead, David Phares, Kelly Niccoli, Greg Bailey, Tina Eusepi, Chris Weaver, Shannon Sawyer, Shineman Foundation Director Chena Tucker and Mike Peterson.

Fulton Block Builders Kicks Off 2023 Season with Inspirational Dinner

On June 7th, Fulton Block Builders (FBB) held its 2023 Kick Off dinner at River Vista Event Center. One hundred forty people, including block awardees and major donors, were in attendance to celebrate the start of the 2023 season. Attendees were inspired and energized by speeches from Mayor Deana Michaels; Mark Luciano, Brookfield Renewables Community Relations; Pamela Caraccioli, Fulton Savings Bank President; Calvin Corriders, Pathfinder Bank’s Regional President; and Chena Tucker, Richard S. Shineman Foundation Director.

The theme of the evening was “Fulton: The City of YOUR Future” All of the speakers shared ways the FBB participants can and are making Fulton a destination to live, work and play. Mayor Michaels started off the night by explaining how FBB has been a part of every grant the city has written and received because FBB demonstrates that as a city we are ready and willing to work towards an improved future. Mr. Luciano explained how Brookfield Renewables wants to be an active supportive part of our community. Each year they support one group located along the river that is participating in FBB. Last year they sponsored the Riverview group, and this year Brookfield has chosen the Forest Avenue group.

Ms. Caraccioli explained how easy it is for Fulton Savings Bank’s Board to give to the FBB program because they see the dramatic changes that are occurring in Fulton, not only in how the city looks but in how we are interacting with each other. Mr. Corriders explained that Micron is coming and because of the work the grantees are doing, we are making Fulton an attractive place to move to. He noted that grantees are being intentional about shaping the future.

Ms. Tucker brought everything full circle by explaining the concept of social contagion. We can choose to stay disinvested, not talk with each other and wait for someone else to fix things- that’s a negative social contagion. Or we can become invested, be neighborly, step up and help- that’s a positive social contagion. Fulton Block Builders is bringing positive social contagion to the city.

Linda Eagan, FBB’s Director, thanked the speakers for inspiring us to keep going, all the awardees for being part of something so big and for the many FBB volunteers for their endless commitment to the program.

Fulton Block Builders Receives Support from Brookfield Renewable U.S.

Recently, Brookfield Renewable donated $6,000.00 to the Fulton Block Builders (FBB) program. Brookfield Renewable U.S., is a leading owner, operator, and developer of renewable power, delivering innovative renewable power solutions that accelerate the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. Brookfield operates 74 hydroelectric facilities is Upstate New York, including the City of Fulton in Oswego County.

“It is a pleasure to once again be able to collaborate with Fulton Block Builders. As partners in this community Brookfield supports the Block Builders mission and is proud to contribute to a project that makes a difference in the lives of a new group of families every year. Each year we hope to support an FBB group along the waterways in Fulton. This year we chose Kevin Niver’s group on Forest Avenue.” said Mark Luciano, the Brookfield representative.

“Since FBB’s start in 2017, FBB has awarded 1,236 Block Challenge, Paint Fulton, and Pride Grants” said Linda Eagan, FBB Director. “2022 was another fantastic year for the FBB program. Twenty-five blocks were awarded Block Challenge Grants and Pride Grants, with FBB supporting 201 properties spread throughout the six wards of the city. Nearly 700 thousand dollars was invested in Fulton’s participating properties! For every dollar invested by FBB, property owners invested four times that amount.”

Donations can be made on the FBB website at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/donate/or by mailing a check to:

CenterState CEO Foundation Inc.-Fulton Block Builders

115 W. Fayette Street

Syracuse, New York 13202

Mark Luciano, Brookfield Renewable U.S. - Stakeholder Relations Manager presents Linda Eagan, Fulton Block Builder Director with a check for the 2023 program.  From left to right are Linda Eagan, Kevin Niver, Ron Arduini, Mary Jane Arduini, Mark Luciano, Kevin Niver and Tracie Murphy.

Fulton Block Builders Continues to Receive Donations

FBB recently received a generous donation from the Fulton Teachers Association. Their president, Kerrie Phillips, said, “The Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program has been making significant positive changes in our community, changes that support healthy living for all our residents including our children and youth. The Teachers Association strives to be a positive influence in our schools, community, state and country and we are proud to support Fulton Block Builders.”

“The generosity of so many is inspirational” said Linda Eagan, FBB founder “Our community has amazed me since the launch of Fulton Block Builders in so many ways. This is one more example of that amazement!”

Block Challenge Grants are given to residents on neighborhood blocks who all commit to completing exterior “street appeal” improvements on their homes. Each resident works on their own home and once the work is completed and pictures and receipts are submitted, they are reimbursed by FBB for half the cost of the improvements, up to $1,000. These grants require at least 50% of the houses within a block to come together and apply as a group, which creates a compound effect of multiple, simultaneous investments signaling to those inside and outside of these neighborhoods that the market has changed in a fundamental way. In its first five years, participating properties have invested more than $3 million in their homes, supporting dozens of new doors, windows, sidewalk repair, painting, landscaping, and much more.

Fulton Teachers Association donates $400 to Fulton Block Builders. Pictured from left to right are Sarah White, Amanda Wolsey and Kerrie Philips.

Lakeside Roofing and Siding Sees Fulton Block Builders as a Solid Investment

“At Lakeside Roofing and Siding, our team has a commitment to assist each customer with high quality, personalized service,” said Mark Blowers, Lakeside Hannibal store manager. “Our commitment to the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program is an extension of that commitment. We are impressed with the work that is being done throughout the city and the neighborly relationships forming. We are happy to offer FBB participants discounts and wanted to do more. Donating $500 is just one more way Lakeside can support this solid investment in the city of Fulton.”

“The community support for Fulton Block Builders is amazing in so many ways,” said Linda Eagan FBB Director. “Not only are businesses like Lakeside supporting the FBB movement, but residents are making a point of shopping locally for their home improvements. It’s definitely a win-win!

“In just a few short years, residents are realizing the value of Lakeside Roofing and Siding to our community. The store can be found in Hannibal in the old Scott’s Hardware location on Auburn Street. You’ll see facilities that are clean inside and out. Warehouses, with well-organized inventory and knowledgeable staff ready to meet your needs.”

Mark Blowers, Lakeside Roofing and Siding store manager recently presented Fulton Block Builders with a check for $500 to continue Lakeside’s support of the program’s participants.

Operation Oswego County Supports Fulton Block Builders

Recently, Operation Oswego County, Inc. contributed $3,000.00 to the Fulton Block Builders (FBB). Operation Oswego County is a not-for-profit economic development organization whose mission is to establish and implement sound economic development strategies to enhance the economic vitality of Oswego County's businesses, industries, and citizens, which leads to an overall better quality of life.

“To accomplish our mission, we need strong communities that can support and improve housing for our talented workforce which in turn helps to retain, expand and attract new industries to Oswego County,” said Wheelock, Operation Oswego County's Executive Director. “The Fulton Block Builder project is a great partner in helping us to fulfill our mission.”

“This contribution puts FBB closer to our goal!” said Linda Eagan, FBB Administrative Director.  “Fundraising for the 2023 Grant Challenge has been quite successful. The generosity of so many is inspirational. Our community has amazed me since the launch of Fulton Block Builders in so many ways. Operation Oswego County's donation is one more example of that amazement! FBB is on track to meet our 2023 goal and receive the 2-to-1 match from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation, which will allow FBB to have a full and robust program again this year.”

For more information about Fulton Block Builders or to donate, visit its website at https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com

Operation Oswego County Executive Director Austin Wheelock and Administrative Coordinator Karen Perwitz present Fulton Block Builders with a check for $3,000.

Fulton Block Builder Participants Eligible to Receive Discounts from Several Local Businesses

Burkes Home Center, Northern Ace Home Center, Ontario Orchards, Lakeside Roofing and Siding, CNY Roof Cleaning, Premier Landscaping, JCH Seamless Gutters and Ware’s Services Carpet, Upholstery, and Air Duct Cleaning are stepping up to support the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program with discounts on much needed supplies to complete home improvement projects.

“The 2023 Block Challenge applications have been completed and awards announced. The quality of applications for 2023 was the best that the FBB independent scoring committee has seen,” said Linda Eagan, FBB Director. “I think this is testimony to the seriousness our residents are about bringing back the PRIDE in our community. Each year more businesses offer discounts to FBB participants and each year they make a point of shopping local. This is a recipe for success on all levels. FBB is so grateful to the participating businesses and our residents for their support.”

If your business is interested in providing discounts to participants, please e-mail FBB at fultonblockbuilders@gmail.com

Jon Hoy, Scott Malcott and Marty Thompson of Burkes DO IT BEST Home Center announce discounts and donation for Fulton Block Builders.