Fulton Block Builders Seeking Volunteers for 2024

The Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program has many opportunities for people to serve their community. Now in its eighth year, with excitement and pride in the city growing, more neighborhood involvement is expected. Improvements are being made in every ward and many people are already contacting FBB volunteers requesting information to organize their block.

“FBB Volunteers do NOT need to live in the city, they just need to have a love for Fulton” said Tina Eusepi, FBB Director. “From the start of this program, I have been amazed by the community and businesses support. Every lofty goal we have set has been achieved and surpassed. I expect 2024 to continue in this manner and that’s why we are seeking more volunteers.”

Volunteers are needed for:

Community Ambassadors are the face of FBB in neighborhoods. Between January and April, Ambassadors work with the neighborhood blocks interested in submitting pre-applications and guide each to submit strong final applications. New Ambassadors will be paired with past Ambassadors throughout their first season.

Fundraising Committee- FBB has been fortunate to receive matching grants from the Shineman Foundation, but they require us to raise local funds. Volunteers on this committee help identify possible sponsors and contact corporations, businesses, individuals, banks, service groups, etc.  Fundraising takes place from January through April.

Community Events Committee- These volunteers work with local venues to prepare and organize FBB events in January, May and August.

Fulton Block Builders is proud to be a grassroots initiative. If you are interested in volunteering, contact FBB at fultonblockbuilders@gmail.com or call 315-529-9181.

Fulton Block Builders wants YOU to join this amazing group of volunteers.

Fulton Block Builders Enters a New Phase in 2024

Fulton Block Builders (FBB) was founded in 2017, when Linda Eagan noticed the changes that were occurring in Oswego as a result of a program called Oswego Renaissance Association (ORA). She reached out to the ORA Director, Paul Stewart, who shared the Healthy Neighborhood concepts. It made so much sense; Fulton too needed to find a way back from the decades of decline.

Fulton Block Builders was formed to revitalize neighborhoods, block by block, and inspire pride and community camaraderie. FBB provides small grants to groups of homeowners to help them restore, beautify, and ultimately transform their block. But it is not just about planting flowers, hanging a new storm door, or trimming the hedges. Residents play a role in the decision-making process, the planning, and the implementation of neighborhood projects. They must apply as a group, help one another with projects, and plan at least one celebratory event. As a result, Fulton has experienced substantial transformations.

It is not time for those transformations to stop, but it is time for a leadership change. In 2024, Linda will mentor Tina Eusepi in her new role as FBB Director. “I have truly enjoyed every aspect of FBB, from the amazing volunteers, the incredible community support, The changes throughout the city, block-by-block, the Richard S Shineman Foundation's belief and grant sponsorship, BUT most of all, watching our community come back to a sense of pride and civic engagement! I am so proud of everyone and everything we have accomplished,” said Eagan. “ Tina Eusepi will take over as the FBB Director. She is highly qualified, understands completely the Healthy Neighborhood approach and LOVES what has been accomplished and is eager to do more.  Tina was born and raised in Fulton, has been with FBB as a volunteer since its beginning, knows virtually everyone and can’t wait to get started.”

Tina responded with, "I am honored and excited by this opportunity to serve our community and our amazing volunteers as we enter the next phase of Fulton Block Builders.  Together, we will build on the positive changes happening in our neighborhoods and throughout the city."

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2024 Fulton Block Builders

City Informational Wednesday January 10, 2024

Pre-Qualification Forms due by Monday, March 18, 2024

Final applications due by Monday, April 29, 2024

Awards announced Friday, May 17, 2024

Kick off Dinner for Sponsors and Awardees Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Summer Social- August 4, 2024

Improvement projects must be completed by October 31, 2024

Tina Eusepi, left works with Linda Eagan to take on the role of Fulton Block Builder Director

Fulton Garden Club Receives AARP Community Challenge Grant

If you heard all the noise at the South First Street gazebo in Fulton the other morning, that was the Fulton Garden Club at work!

The Club worked with the city last year to identify garden areas to work on in conjunction with the City of Fulton - Parks & Recreation The gazebo area rose to the top of the list. So a few club members found the AARP Community Challenge grant application and applied.

Believe it or not we were 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. We started by power washing the gazebo and grounds to ready the area for painting and planting.

Working on the project are Judy Tracy, Michael Peterson, Jim O'Brien and Deb Pelkey.

The Garden Club thanks Fulton Block Builders for submitting the grant on their behalf.

Fulton Block Builder Group Freshens Watertower Hill Sign

Fulton Block Builder Block Leader Cindy Trombly and her husband John jumped at FBB participant Lynne Leach's idea to freshen up the Watertower Hill sign, as they enter their neighborhood. They spoke with the owner, Larry Rowlee for permission before starting and when given the green light they made quick work of it. They painted the posts a blue that is very similar to the newly updated Welcome signs in the city and planted flowers. It looks GREAT! 

Fulton Block Builder Participant Thrilled with Project

Lynne Leach and her granddaughter Julianna Bidwell are thrilled with their Fulton Block Builder project this year. No more worrying if the stairs are safe and no more cats using the lower entry as a litter box! "We can't wait to paint the stairs next year, and are having a great time watching all of the improvements in our neighborhood," said Lynne. " Fulton Block Builders is making a big difference all over the city!"

Fulton Block Builders present 1st check

Doug and Pat Hart received the first Fulton Block Builder check of the 2023 season.   They are seen here standing behind their newly designed landscaping.

The Harts have participated in the Fulton Block Builders program a few times and say while the reimbursement for home improvements is great, they have really developed an appreciation for the community aspect of the program.

“It’s been wonderful to really get to know the neighbors and work together on our community projects’” Hart said.  The Dewey Drive group installed and maintain a landscape design to mark the Duck Hollow neighborhood.  In addition, the group is planning a  neighborhood garage sale and donating a percentage of profits to the  Blessings in a Backpack program.   “It’s so great to be part of these efforts and give back to our community” Hart said.

Doug & Pat Hart receiving their Fulton Block Builder reimbursement check from Dewey Drive Block Leader Peggy Donnelly.

Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Awards Fulton Block Builders Grant to Showcase Local History

The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York (HFWCNY) has awarded Fulton Block Builders (FBB) a grant for a Living History Tour on South 1st Street in Fulton. “In 2021, HFWCNY awarded a $10,000 grant to FBB and we are pleased to announce that we were selected by the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York @hfwcny, in partnership with The New York Academy of Medicine @nyamnyc, as one of 18 new grantee partnerships through their Age-friendly: Go Local program!” said Linda Eagan FBB Director. “Go Local supports neighborhood-level groups and organizations in building equitable communities through locally focused healthy-aging projects.”

As Eagan explained, “This is a very exciting project that goes beyond FBB’s original mission. A new group, inspired by the success of FBB, came together last winter. They named themselves the ‘Reimagine Fulton Group’ and are working to support the city in its endeavors and helping out where needed. The group decided to highlight the historical prominence of Fulton and came up with the idea of a Living History Tour.”

The tour will guide participants through some of the city of Fulton’s proud past. Once a thriving, industry-based community, like many cities in the Northeastern United States, Fulton suffered as factories with good-paying jobs left the area. Reminders of what made Fulton a great place to live still stand, especially along the Oswego River, a powerful natural resource that flows through the city.

Using the format of a narrated tour, those participating will have the option to walk or travel by bus as a historian provides information about key monuments and moments in Fulton’s past. Some stops along the tour will feature senior citizens sharing stories, enhancing the historian’s narrative with their unique memories. Other stops will feature members from Fulton’s high school and city-based theatre troupes acting out historical moments described in the narration. At the tour’s conclusion, a restaurant on the tour path will provide refreshments for the participants to enjoy, while reminiscing, exchanging stories and discovering connections with one another through a shared past.

Tours will take place on Saturday, September 30; Sunday, October 1 and Sunday, October 8 from 1:00 to 3:00.  Information on how to register for the Living History Tour will be announced in the coming weeks.

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.