Fulton Block Builder- Block Challenge and Historical Paint participants - will receive discounts from several local businesses

Burkes Home Supply, ACE Northern, Ontario Orchards and Lakeside Roofing and Siding are stepping up to support the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program with discounts on much needed supplies to complete home improvement projects.

Chuck Handley from Burke’s Home Center supported the FBB participants in 2017 and is proud to be a part of the 2018 program.

Burke's DO IT BEST Home Center provides a wide assortment of hardware, lumber, tools and building supplies and has been serving home owners and professional contractors since 1926. The Fulton, NY location will be offering FBB grant recipients discounts on many items needed to complete their projects. Burke’s is committed to providing quality materials and excellent customer service. If they don't have what you are looking for in stock, they can order it for you from their warehouse and have it ready for pickup in a couple of days.

Burke’s Home Center -62 N 2nd Street; Fulton • 15% discount on Benjamin Moore Paint • 10% discount on stock items – exceptions include roofing, pellets & power tools • Free lumber delivery

Northern Ace Hardware store is independently owned by Fulton resident, Chasity Browngardt. As the helpful hardware folks in your community, they promise that "helping you is the most important thing we have to do today."

As your local Ace Hardware, the Volney store is a member of the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Ace Hardware began as a small chain of stores in 1924 and has grown to include more than 4,600 stores in 50 states and more than 70 countries. Each Ace Hardware is unique and tailored to meet the needs of its local community. Chasity and staff are all committed to being "the Helpful Place" by offering customers knowledgeable advice, helpful service and quality products.

Ace Northern – 2721 State Rt. 3; Fulton • 20% discount on paint • 20% discount on stock items *Some exceptions apply • Free lumber delivery

While most farm markets are open only in the summer and fall when their crops are harvested, Ontario Orchards is open every day but Christmas to best meet their customer’s needs.

They offer a wide variety of products for customers to choose from in all seasons. But the summer growing season has always been a specialty. They have one of the finest selections of perennials, nursery products and roses for customers to choose from. Ontario Orchards also specializes in showcasing products made and grown in NY that they ship year-round. Local products such as, Canales sauces, Rudy’s, Honey, Maple Syrup, Hinerwadel salt potatoes, Dinosaur Barbeque sauces, Bucks seasonings, Hofmann hotdogs and coneys, Grandma Brown’s baked beans, Crogan Bologna, NY cheeses and much more. Customer service, quality and a smile are always at the top their list of things to do at Ontario Orchards.

Ontario Orchards-7735 State Rt. 104; Oswego • 25% all Nursery, Roses and Perennials – Guarantees are not included

At Lakeside, our team has a commitment to assist each customer with the service, many have come to expect here at Lakeside.

The newest store can be found in Hannibal in the old Scott’s Hardware location on Auburn Street. You’ll see facilities that are clean inside & out. Warehouses, with well-organized inventory & showrooms, and our delivery fleet, consisting of over 30 different sophisticated vehicles, stand ready to meet your needs. We are proud to state that we maintain industry leading state of the art inventory control & truck routing systems. Whether your project is commercial or residential Lakeside has the product lines you need.

Lakeside Roofing and Siding - 1082 Auburn Street; Hannibal • Varying discounts on all items

In addition to the discounts from these participating local businesses, each participating property owner in a Challenge Block is eligible to receive a dollar-for-dollar match on exterior improvements (visible from the street), up to $1,000. If $500 is spent, a $250 match will be made. If $2,000 or more is spent the match will be $1,000. (minus taxes). Funding is competitive please see Tips for a Competitive Application on the Fulton Block Builder Website at https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/

Eligible Improvements are: Painting Mailboxes Porch repair Exterior lights Soffit repair Front yard landscaping Front doors/screen doors Flower Boxes Shutter Sidewalk repair And more…. In 2018, ANY HOMEOWNER in the city will be eligible for grant awards that use these historic colors. Paint Fulton – Find Your Color provides Fulton residents with a selection of historic color schemes to use for painting their homes. Up to 50 possible combinations of colors are possible when using the 10 schemes (See how on the Fulton Block Builders Website). Only the colors within a single scheme can be used. Property owners do not have to use all of the colors in a scheme, but must use at least two out of the 4 available (body, trim, accent, bonus colors).

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

Fulton Block Builder- receives support from many community businesses taking them closer and closer to their fundraising goal.

Linda Eagan receives donation from Zach Menter, President and CEO of Oswego County Ambulance Service. This donation makes Menter a NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE LEADER as a Fulton Block Builder (FBB) Sponsor. Oswego County Ambulance Service, locally known as Menter Ambulance Service, is a private ambulance service whose main headquarters is in Fulton, NY. Their service provides Advanced Life Support emergency ambulance transport, and non-emergent transportation. Zach said he’s been watching the changes brought about by the Block Builder program and wanted to become involved. Linda thanks Zach for the very generous donation. Every dollar FBB raises is matched 2-to-1 by the Shineman Foundation up to $100,000.00.

Jennifer Whalen from FBB is seen here with Chris Sachel after receiving a BLOCK BUILDER donation from Mimi’s Diner. Patrons of Mimi’s will find delicious sandwiches and other American favorites at Mimi's Drive Inn in Fulton. Prices at Mimi's are a bargain, so you'll have plenty of cash left over to treat a friend (or two). Mimi's Drive Inn is a great place to go for lunch or dinner, so make your way over to the restaurant today and munch on an American classic. And let Chris and the gang know how much you appreciate their support of the Fulton Block Builder program!

Eryl Christiansen and Regina Lunkenheimer,Eastern Shore Associates pose with Jennifer as she thanks them for becoming the newest FBB RENOVATOR  supporter.  Eastern Shore is an organization with over 80 insurance professionals operating from 7 branch offices throughout Central and Upstate New York. They work with over 30 insurance companies, giving Them the ability to find the best solution to each of their customers' insurance needs. The employees live and work in the same communities as their customers, and are dedicated to helping protect the homes, automobiles, businesses, and lives of our neighbors. Supporting the FBB project is a natural for Eryl and Regina and the entire Eastern Shore team.

Uniforms Etc. team - Michaelanne Vail, Kiyara Moore, Jill Abbott-owner, Patrick Aquaviva and Michaelene Vail are proud their company is a SUPPORTER of FBB.  Uniform’s Etc. is a custom embroidery and custom screen printing workshop that takes pride in creating unique embroidered and screen-printed designs for all your apparel and gift item needs. Their custom embroidery and custom screen printing is considered the state of the art in value, quality and service. They even made the FBB name tag Jennifer’s is wearing!

If you, your business or your service agency is interested in donating and/or providing discounts to participants, please e-mail FBB at fultonblockbuilders@gmail.com.

Fulton Block Builders receive support from Sweet-Woods Memorial Co. in Phoenix, New York

Fulton Block Builders has been receiving strong support from within the Fulton city limits. But for the second year in a row, business support has come from outside of the city with a donation from Sweet-Woods Memorial Co. in Phoenix. Dennis Goss, owner/operator of Sweet-Woods Memorial Co. in Phoenix is shown here presenting Linda Eagan with a check for the Fulton Block Builder project. “I am honored to support the Block Builder program. The work that this group has been able to accomplish is outstanding! I believe the potential for year two will far exceed the work that was done in the inaugural year. The city is lucky to have such a dedicated group of people volunteering for this program. I encourage businesses and individuals to learn all they can and support this momentum!” said Goss.

“Dennis is a strong advocate for the city and residents in Fulton. As a Rotarian he can be seen volunteering in Fulton Youth Soccer, Fulton YMCA, OCO Bowl-A-Thon, ARC of Oswego County, Fulton Public Library, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Fulton Polish Home, Fulton American Legion, Literacy Volunteers, the Salvation Army and filling Blizzard Bags for shut-ins throughout Oswego County. Dennis is an excellent example of community activism, we can’t thank him enough for this support.” Eagan said.

The Pre-Application deadline is March 16th. It is very important for blocks to get organized and gather signatures from their neighbors.  This first step does not commit a home owner - it simply states that they want to learn more. Block Builder Ambassadors will meet with each block that submits a pre-application to explain the fine details of the program. It is after that meeting that homeowners will decide if they want to submit a final application to be considered for a Block Challenge Award. Eagan did stress, however, that without the Pre-Application being submitted a block cannot submit a Final Application, so don’t let March 16th slip by. Learn more about FBB on the website: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/ or follow them on Facebook.

Since 1932, Sweet-Woods Memorial Co. has provided thousands of families all over Central New York with premium quality memorials, bronze plaques, and mausoleums.  With locations in Phoenix, Brewerton and Camillus, the business was founded with one philosophy in mind: to provide the best quality material and craftsmanship available, at a reasonable price.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2018 Fulton Block Builders:

• Friday, March 16, 2018 – Neighborhood Recruitment Forms (pre-applications) are due
• Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – Final applications are due
• Monday April 30, 2018 – Fundraising match for the Shineman grant must be raised
• Tuesday May 1, 2018 – FBB grant awardees announced & home improvements begin
• Wednesday October 31, 2018 – awardees must complete their work

Dennis Goss from Sweet-Woods Memorial Company in Phoenix, NY presents Linda Eagan with a check in support of the Fulton Block Builders

Fulton Block Builders Near Completion of Fundraising Goal, Volunteerism is Awarded

FULTON, NY – Operation Oswego County Inc. has donated $2,500.00 to the Fulton Block Builders (FBB) putting FBB closer to our goal!” said Linda Eagan, FBB Administrative Director, reaching 85 percent of the total fundraiser goal.

“Fundraising for the 2018 Grant Challenge has been quite successful. In addition to Operation Oswego County, FBB recently was notified of support from Chuck Handley at Burke’s Home Supply. Residents participating in the Block Challenges will be happy to know that for the second year, Burke’s has moved us closer to our goal and will be offering discounts to approved FBB grant recipients” continued Eagan.

City residents who would like to participate in the program need to form a neighborhood group with 50 percent of the property owners on their block and have them sign the Pre-Application stating that they are interested in the matching grant funding and want to learn more about FBB.

Blocks can be made up of both sides of one street or of the homes within 4 streets.

FBB Ambassadors are available to help applicants through the process. Follow us on Facebook at look for information on our website.

Operation Oswego County’s mission is to establish and implement sound economic development strategies to enhance the economic vitality of Oswego County’s businesses, industries and citizens leading to an overall better quality of life.

“Key to our mission is the creation and retention of job opportunities, diversification and strengthening of our economic base, and developing the local economy in a planned, organized and environmentally friendly atmosphere. We think the Fulton Block Builder project fits into this mission perfectly” said Michael Treadwell, Executive Director.

Recently, the Fulton Block Builders were awarded for their volunteerism.

In 2007, the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce created a new award in Jan Rebeor’s honor: the Jan Rebeor Community Champion Award.

Every year, the Chamber presents this prestigious award to a Chamber member from the greater Fulton community who has shown an unselfish long-term commitment to the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

On Tuesday February 13, 2018, Jan Rebeor chose to present the Community Champion Award to a group of individuals; the Fulton Block Builder Volunteers.

The volunteers are humbled to be recognized by Mrs. Rebeor. She is long-time advocate for the city of Fulton and embodies the strengths-based approach FBB is founded on.

Not one to sit back, Rebeor is actively involved with Fulton’s Project Bloom, the annual City of Fulton Community Development Agency Home Show. She also lends her time and talent to the United Way Stone Soup luncheons, St. Luke’s John Foster Burden Fund, Fulton’s Tree/ Arbor Day Committee, Tunes in June, Friends of Voorhees Park, Jazz Fest, and the City of Fulton’s Christmas lighting and decorations, just to name a few.

FBB strives to encourage community activism, like Jan’s, in residents by building a sense of community and focusing on civic engagement while empowering residents to work together.

FBB’s goal is to have residents become engaged in their community and neighborhood and to take a proactive role in creating positive change. FBB is encouraging neighbors to get-together and complete the pre-application for the 2018 Block Challenge.

Another way to become a part of FBB, is by donating to the 2018 campaign today.

What’s even more exhilarating is that every dollar you donate is matched two-to-one 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. There are no paid staff!

FBB donations can be made on the website at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/donate/ or by mail: Fulton Block Builders; 125 West Broadway; Fulton, New York 13069.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2018 Fulton Block Builders:
• Friday, March 16, 2018 – FBB Neighborhood Recruitment Forms (Pre-applications) are due
• Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – Final applications are due
• Monday April 30, 2018 – Deadline to reach the Shineman Match needed to secure $100,000.00
• Tuesday May 1, 2018 – FBB grant awardees announced
• Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – FBB Kick Off Event for awardees and sponsors

From the left, Jennifer Whalen, Reyne Pierce, Fulton Block Builders (FBB) volunteers, Karen Perwitz, of Operation Oswego County Inc. (OOC) and FBB, Michael Treadwell, Executive Director OOC Inc., Evelyn LiVoti, Austin Wheelock of OOC and FBB committee members Cheryl Baldwin, Carol Streeter and Penny Halstead.

Paint Fulton - Find Your Color

In 2018, ANY HOMEOWNER in the city will be eligible for grant awards that use these historic colors. Paint Fulton – Find Your Color provides Fulton residents with a selection of historic color schemes to use for painting their homes. Up to 50 possible combinations of colors are possible when using the 10 schemes (See how on the Fulton Block Builders Website). Only the colors within a single scheme can be used. Property owners do not have to use all of the colors in a scheme, but must use at least two out of the 4 available (body, trim, accent, bonus colors).

Homeowners can fill out a simple application. If your application is approved, paint your house using one of the historic color schemes. The entire house must be painted, and if the project is completed by October 31, 2018, you will receive up to $500.00 reimbursement check.

What’s more - you can combine the Paint Fulton Bonus with the FBB Block Challenge Award and the corner bonus. Giving one homeowner a chance for up to $2,000.00 in reimbursements. Awardees will have a photo of their home featured on the Fulton Block Builders website and Facebook page.

Find Your Color was prepared by Architectural Historian, Susan Arena, who grew up in Fulton but now resides and works in the greater Boston area. Find Your Color provides definitions to help homeowners decide what style their home is. Once the style is determined, homeowners may select an approved color scheme from the coordinating chart, found in the Paint Colors section. By using the charts, each style can identify acceptable paint colors and where to use them appropriately. “Please note that these paint schemes are guidelines and the application of colors to specific elements will vary depending on the intricacy of the design. If you have questions or need assistance, I am happy to talk with any homeowner.” said Arena.

Today Susan is an Architectural Historian and meets the Secretary of the Interior's professional qualification standards, in the areas of Architectural History and Historic Preservation. It is Susan’s love of history, her hometown and her keen sense of community that has led her to volunteer to put together historical paint palettes for homeowners in the city of Fulton to refer to.

Paint Fulton Historical palettes are available on the Fulton Block Builder website at https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/find-your-color/

Fulton Block Builder Volunteers are honored

In 2007, the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce created a new award in Jan Rebeor's honor, the Jan Rebeor Community Champion Award. Every year the chamber presents this prestigious award to a chamber member from the greater Fulton community who has shown an unselfish long-term commitment to the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday February 13, 2018, Jan Rebeor chose to present the Community Champion Award to a group of individuals; the Fulton Block Builder Volunteers.

The volunteers are humbled to be recognized by Mrs. Rebeor. She is a long-time advocate for the city of Fulton and embodies the strengths-based approach, Fulton Block Builders (FBB) is founded on. Not one to sit back, Jan is actively involved with Fulton's Project Bloom, the annual City of Fulton Community Development Agency Home. She also lends her time and talent to the United Way Stone Soup luncheons, St. Luke's Foster Burden Fund, Fulton's Tree/Arbor Day Committee, Tunes in June, Friends of Voorhees Park, Jazz Fest, and the City of Fulton's Christmas lighting and decorations, just to name a few.

FBB strives to encourage community activism, like Jan's, in residents by building a sense of community and focusing on civic engagement while empowering residents to work together. FBB's goal is to have residents become engaged in their community and neighborhood and to take a proactive role in creating positive change.

FBB is encouraging neighbors to get together and complete the pre-application for the 2018 Block Challenge, a program that offers matching funds to each participating home owner up to $1,000 (dollar-for-dollar match) to put towards exterior home improvements. There are bonuses for use of historical colors and for corner properties as well as discounts at local businesses. More information about FBB can be found at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com or on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fultonblockbuilders/

Important Dates:

• Friday, March 16, 2018 - FBB Neighborhood Recruitment Forms (Pre-applications) are due
• Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - Final applications are due
• Monday, April 30, 2018 - Deadline to reach the Shineman Match needed to secure $100,000
• Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - FBB grant awardees announced
• Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - FBB Kick-Off Event for awardees and sponsors

Another way to become a part of FBB is by donating to the 2018 Campaign today. What's even more exhilarating is that 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. There are no paid staff!

FBB donations can be made on the web site at: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/donate                                                                             Or by mail: Fulton Block Builders, 125 West Broadway, Fulton, New York 13069

Fulton Block Builders preserve green space, architectural value

By Lexie Kwiek lexie@fultonvalleynews.com

The grassroots neighborhood revitalization program that completed 126 exterior home improvement projects in 2017 is back for a second year, and has already started engaging new stakeholders throughout the city of Fulton.

After a successful initial year of community building and property beautification, the Fulton Block Builders (FBB) wanted to find a way to share information about the Block Challenge program with more city residents, said FBB Administrative Director Linda Eagan. Participants from last year’s program suggested hosting an informational meeting, which Eagan and FBB volunteers facilitated on Jan. 17 at the River Vista Conference Center.

“We had seen with many nighttime meetings that life can often get in the way and they aren’t really well attended,” said Eagan. The FBB meeting proved to be an exception, with more than 80 individuals present to learn more about the Block Challenge program.

“We were not familiar with most of the people that attended,” said Eagan. “It really brought in some new interest.”

As part of the presentation, Eagan gave guests an overview of FBB and the Block Challenge in particular, which provides property owners with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $1,000 for exterior home improvements. The unique feature of the program is homeowners must participate together in order to receive funding. At least 50 percent of the houses in a block or cluster must commit to completing exterior repairs in order to be eligible for the funding.

Eagan said while the Block Challenge’s first year was a success, there are still many people with questions about how the program works. One of the most frequently asked questions she receives is about program funding.

“People think we’re a government program, but we’re not,” said Eagan. She said FBB is a grassroots, neighborhood beautification program that relies on donations to operate.

One of the project’s biggest donors is the Shineman Foundation, which has offered FBB a second matching grant of up to $100,000 to support projects in 2018. The grant doubles any donations made by businesses or individuals, offering $2 for every $1 raised. In order to maximize the Shineman funding, FBB must raise at least $50,000 by the end of April, said Eagan.

“We’re at 85 percent of our goal,” said Eagan. “We’re out there every day actively recruiting both businesses and individuals to support the program.”

This active recruitment strategy also allows Eagan and fellow block builders to answer one of the other major questions people still ask, which is, “What types of repairs does the Block Challenge fund?”

“It’s all street appeal,” said Eagan, explaining the Block Challenge funds can only go toward exterior repairs and beautification efforts.

Eagan said popular projects in 2017 included landscaping, rebuilding front steps, and replacing sidewalks, windows and doors. While the list of potential projects is extensive, Eagan said there are a few items FBB does not fund.

“We don’t support the removal of green spaces,” said Eagan. “Green is good for a city.”

She said an example of a project that would not receive FBB support could be if someone owned a property with multiple residences and realized there was not enough off-street parking for all of their tenants. Eagan said FBB would not provide funds for the property owner to expand the driveway over their grass and lawn.

Along with preserving green space, FBB also looks to keep the original charm of Fulton houses intact.

“We look to preserve the architecture and character of properties in the city,” said Eagan. “We want to keep the architectural value of the homes.”

Eagan said an example of a project that would not receive support would be if a homeowner wanted to remove hand-carved knoll posts from their front entrance and replace them with two-by-four boards. She said FBB also looks to preserve original wooden siding rather than remove and replace it with vinyl.

“We would rather repair and repaint clapboard than take it down and replace it with vinyl siding,” said Eagan. “But we will support the upkeep of vinyl siding that is already on a house.”

To help with exterior painting, Eagan recommends homeowners take advantage of the Paint Fulton program. According to the FBB website, “Paint Fulton provides City of Fulton residents with a selection of historic color schemes to use for painting their homes.”

In 2018, ANYONE in the city can receive a $500 reimbursement if they utilize the Historical Colors. 

“A person anywhere in the city can apply, whether they are part of the Block Challenge or not,” said Eagan. “Last year we had four people participate in using the historical colors. We would like to see that number grow.”

For more information on applying for Paint Fulton or Block Challenge funding, visit www.fultonblockbuilders.com.

Eagan reminds all property owners interested in the Block Challenge to complete their pre-application before the March 16 deadline. Once they have recruited at least half of the neighbors living on their block or in their cluster and submitted the initial application, representatives from FBB will meet with applicants to explain the fine details of the program and help create a strong application to be submitted before April 18.

The Eggletons stand in front of improvements they made with support from the 2017 Fulton Block Builders Block Challenge. They used the matching grant program to update windows and add new landscaping to their front lawn. The deadline for pre-applications for the 2018 Block Challenge is March 16. For more information visit www.fultonblockbuilders.com.

Fulton Block Builders Twenty Eighteen season begins with huge support and interest

On January 17, 2018 Fulton Block Builders (FBB) hosted a one-time citywide informational meeting at River Vista. Linda Eagan, FBB Administrative Director and the FBB committee volunteers were very pleased to see over 80 people in attendance, many of which they had never spoken with before. Eagan stated, “There was fabulous new energy and new block leaders were emerging before the night was over. I can’t thank the team of volunteers that worked before, during and after the event, enough. Feedback from those in attendance was excellent.”

Pathfinder Bank, InterFace Solutions, Northern ACE Home Center and River Vista provided financial and printing support to put the Informational Event on, which means none of the money spent will take away from the grants that Fulton Block Builders can distribute in 2018. Partnerships, relationships, pride, beauty and neighborliness are the foundation of the Fulton Block Builder program. This kind of business support is testimony to what can be accomplished, said Eagan.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2018 Fulton Block Builders:

• Friday, March 16, 2018 – FBB Neighborhood Recruitment Forms (Pre-applications) are due
• Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – Final applications are due
• Monday April 30, 2018 – Deadline to reach the Shineman Match needed to secure $100,000.00
• Tuesday May 1, 2018 – FBB grant awardees announced
• Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – FBB Kick Off Event for awardees and sponsors

Become a part of this exciting piece of Fulton’s history by donating to the 2018 Campaign today. What’s even more exhilarating is that 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. There are no paid staff!

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

Or by mail, send checks to:

Fulton Block Builders

125 West Broadway

Fulton, New York 13069

The Fulton Block Builder Citywide Information meeting was a great success with over 80 people in attendance