Fulton Savings Bank Pledges Corporate Support for Fulton Block Builders

As the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program continues its Fundraising Campaign, businesses and individuals have again been showing their ongoing support. Recently, one of the city’s oldest financial institutions, Fulton Savings Bank, again stepped up to help assure FBB’s success.

Linda Eagan, FBB Founder, stated “Fulton Savings Bank’s donation to FBB is another commitment to their philosophy. Since FBB’s start in 2017, we have seen this community come together in so many positive ways and the corporate support of Fulton Savings Bank is one of those ways.”

“From the very beginning, the bank has supported FBB’s unique approach to community revitalization, which strives to generate neighborhood pride and help homeowners and property owners recover part of the cost of their exterior property investment. The core feature of this approach is to build on strengths rather than just fix weaknesses. This support for our hometown is truly inspirational.”

“Fulton Savings Bank is proud to be an ongoing Corporate Sponsor of this exciting initiative,” said Tina Stephens. “Thanks to all of those involved with Fulton Block Builders for their continued work to revitalize our community.”

Tina Stephens, Fulton Savings Bank Vice President-Branch Administration & Laurie Smith, Vice President HR and Marketing present Linda Eagan, Fulton Block Builder Founder, with a check for $10,000 for the organization’s 2024 Fundraising Campaign.

FULTON BLOCK BUILDERS CONTINUES TOWARDS IT’S FUNDRAISING GOAL

The Fulton Block Builders, now in its eighth year, has received a recent donation from Legislator Jim Karasek, who represents the 22nd District that includes portions of the City of Fulton and the Town of Granby.

“I am impressed with the positive energy the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program is bringing to our residents,” Legislator Karasek said. “I make a point of supporting and sponsoring initiatives that I think are good for my District, so this decision was an easy one for me.”

When Karasek is not representing the 22nd District, he is hard at work as the Outreach Liaison for Independent Living Services at ARISE, Inc., a non-residential Independent Living Center, Karasek and his team assist people of all ages and with all types of disabilities to organize and direct their own care. Each year ARISE serves more than 7,000 people located in five Central New York counties: Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga, and Seneca. The ARISE programs are consumer directed, maximizing choice and opportunities for the people they serve.

The Fulton Block Builders are dedicated to revitalizing Fulton neighborhoods one block at a time. It is based on the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative. “Because of people like Legislator Karasek, we are able to fund more Block Challenge Grants and are energized by the success we are seeing,” said Linda Eagan, FBB Founder. “ Since our start in 2017, we have been able to fund 1385 Grants and homeowners have invested nearly 4-million-dollars in their properties. Confidence is growing and growing rapidly.”

Legislator James Karasek, shown with his guide dog Isabel, recently presented Fulton Block Builders Founder, Linda Eagan, with a check for the 2024 program.

Fulton Block Builders Fundraising Campaign is strong for 2024

Universal Metal Works and Universal Properties launched the first business support for the Fulton Block Builder grass- roots revitalization project in 2017 and has continued every year since.  The Sharkey’s were impressed to learn that there was nearly a 4 million dollars investment by property owners since Fulton Block Builders (FBB) started. John Sharkey III said, “This program is incredible, I am happy to see this kind of excitement in the city and am pleased to support further growth.” John IV said, “Fulton has many positive attributes for living and doing business, it’s impressive to see a program like this take off in such a strong way. Universal is proud to support FBB.”

Universal Metal Works is a leading metal fabrication facility, with knowledgeable trained staff that have over 300 years of combined fabrication experience. Universal Metal Works specializes in design and engineering assembly. They stand behind Quality, Strength, and Reliability to get any job done with craftsmanship.

Become a part of this exciting piece of Fulton’s history by donating to the 2024 Campaign today. Every dollar you donate is matched 2-to-1 by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.  Remember all donations are tax deductible and go directly to the Block Challenge grants and promotion of the program.

FBB donations can be made on the website at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/donate/

Or by mail, send checks to:

CenterState Development Foundation-FBB.

115 West Fayette Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

John Sharkey III and John Sharkey IV, owners of Universal Metal Works and Universal Properties, have supported Fulton Block Builders since it began.

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.