Contributing to the Health, Safety and Well-Being of the Canton Community
PRESS RELEASE Contact: Sylvia Cancela, CCHF Board Chair
For Immediate Distribution info@CantonCommunityHealthFund.org
CANTON COMMUNITY HEALTH FUND INVESTS $62,000 IN 2025 COMMUNITY PARTNERS & SCHOLARS CONTRIBUTING TO HEALTH, SAFETY & WELL-BEING
Pay It Forward & Dr. Diters Scholarships Will Support Residents Pursuing Careers in Healthcare
Canton, CT May 19, 2025…. Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), announced the awarding of $62,000 in nonprofit grants and scholarships to Community Partners and Scholars committed to ‘Contributing to the Health, Safety & Well-Being of the Canton Community.’
Sylvia Cancela, CCHF Chair: “Our 2025 Community Partners will significantly impact the everyday lives of our neighbors, friends and family. And, our Dr. Diters Legacy and Pay It Forward Scholars will represent the very best of the future in healthcare and public safety. The Board of CCHF is proud to continue to honor and invest in our 100-year Legacy of change, challenge and commitment to Canton by not only supporting this community’s critical-baseline needs, but also keeping an eye on other entrepreneurial partnerships that benefit us all. At CCHF, small town doesn’t mean small ideas because we are By, For and About Canton.”
- Welcome New Community Partners
Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill: With the purchase of 2 outdoor glider chairs, residents will be provided with self-soothing and vestibular stimulation to address stress, anxiety and promote well-being, which is especially critical for those with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Roaring Brook Nature Center: RBNC will host 3 CPR/First Aid/AED certification classes in collaboration with Town of Canton Fire & EMS Department. 30 Canton residents will be provided with this lifesaving training – free of charge, first come, first served.
- Critical Baseline Community Partners
Canton Food Bank: In conjunction with Bristol Farm Market and other collaborators, CFB’s ‘fresh food initiative’ increases availability of fruit, produce and other health-centric options to enhance food-security for eligible Canton clients.
Canton Emergency Fuel Bank: CEFB will continue to provide financial support for eligible residents facing extraordinary heating and electric expenses.
Canton Senior & Social Services: Canton’s ‘social safety net’ provides financial, social and emotional support for seniors and other eligible residents. From food assistance, temporary shelter, transportation and outreach to vulnerable populations, CSSS works to combat social isolation, improve mental health and provide a sense of community/belonging.
- Public Safety Community Partners
Canton Fire & EMS Department: CFED’s new Electric Vehicle blankets will address the unique and growing hazards posed by EV/hybrid vehicles, motor bikes, charging stations, etc. The EV blankets are designed to reduce risks to: residences, commercial property and parking lots; greatly enhancing the safety lifeline for both victims and first responders.
Canton Police Department: The CPD will upgrade/standardize: in-house AED and Medical Bag equipment, as well as emergency tools for CPD cruisers to enhance the readiness of all officers.
- Therapeutic Community Partners
FAVARH: With the goal of helping individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities achieve their personal best, FAVARH will expand the scope, diversity and frequency of its daily activities, including: social activities, recreation, horticulture, music and art therapy.
Healing Meals Community Project: With curated organic meals to Canton residents facing temporary health crises, HMCP shares their belief that Food is Medicine. Clients and their family members receive six meals each for 12 weeks during at a time when good nutrition is especially critical to their health and well-being.
SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center of Canton: CT’s only licensed therapy riding center for children, teens and adults with disabilities, SHTRCC will provide 80 private equine therapy lessons, including its NEW ‘Equicizer’ sessions – where a non-motorized mechanical horse will be able to provide individuals, unable to ride a live horse yet, with the opportunity to participate.
Summit Adaptive Sports: Working with Collinsville Canoe and Kayak, SAS will provide specially adapted kayak and paddle board lessons and equipment designed to foster a healthy lifestyle for individuals with disabilities that build life skills, self-esteem and positive experiences.
- CCHF’s Pay It Forward Scholarships
To honor our 100-year legacy, CCHF re-established a scholarship, in 2024, for high school graduates working to advance their talents and education in healthcare and public safety. In 2025, CCHF congratulates these Pay It Forward Scholars pursuing careers in Nursing, and Psychology: Rory Bemis, Monika Klecha, Amanda May and Anna Miller.
- Diters Legacy Scholarships
Three Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarships will be awarded on May 29th at a special Canton High School Senior Scholarship Awards Assembly hosted by CCHF’s trusted partner, Canton Dollars for Scholars.
Cancela: “We look forward to sharing the stories of what’s possible from all CCHF’s Community Partners and Scholars, as we celebrate their leadership and commitment to positively impacting our community, now and into the future. Please join us in that celebration by following CCHF on our social media.”
Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. is a private Foundation that accepts donations for the benefit of all Canton residents. Our 100-year Legacy organization, the Canton Visiting Nurse Association, both inspires and guides our Mission. Our all-volunteer Board of Directors manages the investment of the Fund, distribution of Community Partner grants and Pay It Forward Scholarships. CCHF’s Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship is distributed in collaboration with our trusted partner, Canton Dollars for Scholars.
We invite you to support CCHF’s Mission through gifts of your time and/or donations which help us support the entire Canton community. Contributions can be made to CCHF via mail at P.O. Box 75, Collinsville, CT 06022 or through PayPal at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org. Please follow us at @CantonCommunityHealthFund. We thank you!
CANTON COMMUNITY HEALTH FUND …. BY, FOR ABOUT CANTON
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Last modified: May 28, 2025